To Kill a Mockingbird: Jeff Daniels vs Ed Harris

[Hot Pants]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 2:26pm

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird the other day and absolutely loved it. Every moment in the show was fantastic. Baize Buman went on as Scout, and I loved her work. Of course, the real standout was Ed Harris as Atticus Finch. He was truly a perfect pick for the part. Thinking of his performance, I wondered how he compared to Jeff Daniels in the role. Can anyone who saw both give a comparison? What did they do differently and who was better?

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 2:36pm

They are both excellent in the role. Having seen them each as Atticus, as well as individually in other performances, they’re both undoubtedly formidable actors with excellent stage presences.

As a whole, I find Jeff Daniels more captivating in general due to his mysterious, friendly-giant demeanor, and I think that elevated his Atticus. But while getting some air at intermission and running into Ed Harris smoking a cigarette right outside the Shubert stage door, I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him.

That all goes to say, the role of Atticus in this production doesn’t give too much room for direct actor interpretation. There are moments where the actor can shine through the text, but I think both Jeff and Ed work to make the text the star, not themselves.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 5:05pm

VotePeron said: "But while getting some air at intermission and running into Ed Harris smoking a cigarette right outside the Shubert stage door, I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him."

This sounds bogus, but nice story though.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 5:09pm

Why bother to waste time questioning a persons observation?

[Esther2]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 5:21pm

Call_me_jorge said: "VotePeron said: "But while getting some air at intermission and running into Ed Harris smoking a cigarette right outside the Shubert stage door, I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him."

This sounds bogus, but nice story though."

Why?  He can't smoke in his dressing room, so he needs to go outside.  Some people still smoke (unfortunately). 

I saw Daniels and Harris.  I think Daniels wore his inner conflict/emotion closer to the surface and Harris was far more controlled.  Both interpretations work for the material.  Also, the fact that the cast was almost completely new made it an almost new show.  I still cried through much of act 2.  It's magnificent. 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 6:15pm

Call_me_jorge said: "VotePeron said: "But while getting some air at intermission and running into Ed Harris smoking a cigarette right outside the Shubert stage door, I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him."

This sounds bogus, but nice story though."

Jorge, plz look through my hundreds of posts over the past 7 years as an extremely active member of this community and find an example of a bogus story. How - and why - would I make that up?

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 3/8/20 at 6:21pm

VotePeron said: "Call_me_jorge said: "VotePeron said: "But while getting some air at intermission and running into Ed Harris smoking a cigarette right outside the Shubert stage door, I couldn’t help but fall more in love with him."

This sounds bogus, but nice story though."

Jorge, plz look through my hundreds of posts over the past 7 years as an extremely active member of this community and find an example of a bogus story. How - and why - would I make that up?"

Because people act like this when they find out their favorite actors smoke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM_A4Skusro

And this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imANoNt6scw

Updated On: 3/8/20 at 06:21 PM

[little_sally]

Posted: 3/9/20 at 10:42am

I actually liked Ed Harris (and most of the new cast) more--it felt like more of an ensemble piece with Harris, and he was a gentler Atticus. I thought he handled the stuff with Scout, Jem, and Dill better. 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 3/9/20 at 2:09pm

little_sally said: "I actually liked Ed Harris (and most of the new cast) more--it felt like more of an ensemble piece with Harris, and he was a gentler Atticus. I thought he handled the stuff with Scout, Jem, and Dill better."

I didn't see Daniels, so can't compare but, yes, that last scene -- in which Atticus comforts Jem after learning about the lie he's been telling -- is so beautifully played by both actors.