"To Kill a Mockingbird" where Mr.
Ewell testifies during Tom Robinson's trial:
INT. MAYCOMB COUNTY COURTHOUSE - DAY
The courtroom is packed as ATTICUS FINCH, the defense attorney, cross-examines BOB EWELL, the father
of Mayella Ewell.
ATTICUS: Mr. Ewell, you say you saw Tom Robinson raping your daughter?
BOB EWELL: Yes sir, I did.
ATTICUS: And yet, you didn't call a doctor or the sheriff?
BOB EWELL: No sir, I didn't see no need to. I knew what happened.
ATTICUS: You "knew" what happened? How did you know that Tom Robinson was the one who did it?
BOB EWELL: Well, I saw him through that window there.
(He points to a window in the courtroom)
ATTICUS: You saw him through that window? But the window is on the other side of the room from
where the alleged rape took place.
BOB EWELL: That's right, I went around the house and saw him through that window.
ATTICUS: So, you went around the house, and even though you couldn't see inside the room where the
rape allegedly took place, you saw Tom Robinson through the window?
BOB EWELL: Yes sir, that's right.
ATTICUS: (shaking his head) Mr. Ewell, I put it to you that you're lying. You didn't see Tom Robinson
raping your daughter, because it never happened.
BOB EWELL: (angrily) I seen it, I tell you! You think you're so high and mighty, with your book learning
and your fancy words, but you don't know nothing about us Ewells!
JUDGE TAYLOR: Order in the court!
The spectators murmur as Atticus continues to question Bob Ewell.
ATTICUS: (softly) Mr. Ewell, isn't it true that you're a drunkard and a troublemaker? That you've been in
trouble with the law many times?
BOB EWELL: (defiantly) I ain't gotta answer that.
ATTICUS: (looking at the jury) No, you don't have to answer. But the jury can draw their own conclusions
about your character.
The tension in the courtroom is palpable as Bob Ewell glares at Atticus.
ATTICUS: (continuing) And isn't it true that you beat your daughter, Mayella, because she kissed a black
man?
BOB EWELL: (shouting) How dare you accuse me of that!
ATTICUS: (calmly) It's not an accusation, Mr. Ewell, it's a fact. And I suggest that the jury consider
whether your testimony is motivated by a desire for revenge against Tom Robinson and his defender.
BOB EWELL: (fuming) I'll kill you, I'll kill you!
JUDGE TAYLOR: (pounding his gavel) That's enough! Mr. Ewell, you're out of order.
Bob Ewell storms out of the courtroom as the spectators whisper and murmur.
ATTICUS: (to the jury) Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence is clear. Tom Robinson is innocent of the
charges against him. And Bob Ewell is a liar and a coward.
The jury deliberates, and later returns a verdict of guilty. But Atticus's words have struck a chord with
many in the courtroom, including JEM and SCOUT, Atticus's children. They begin to realize that the world
is not as simple as they once
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
The trial of Tom Robinson is underway. Mayella Ewell is on the witness stand, being
questioned by Atticus Finch.
ATTICUS FINCH Now, Miss Mayella, can you tell us what happened on the evening of
November 21st?
MAYELLA EWELL Tom Robinson came into our yard and started helping me with some
chores. Then he grabbed me and started kissin' me, and when I screamed, he hit me.
MR. EWELL (to the judge) That's a lie! I seen that black n***er through the window, and I
saw what he done to my little girl!
GILMER (to the jury) Now, Mr. Ewell, can you tell us exactly what you saw?
MR. EWELL (angrily) I saw that black nigger runnin' out of my yard, and I knew he done
somethin' to my Mayella!
ATTICUS FINCH Mr. Ewell, are you sure it was Tom Robinson you saw?
MR. EWELL (defiantly) I'm sure of it! That nigger don't belong in this town, and he ain't
fit to lick my boots!
JUDGE TAYLOR (to Bert, the court recorder) Make sure you get all of this down, Bert.
NARRATOR The audience watched in silence as the trial continued. Three jury members
looked uncomfortable, but the others seemed convinced by Mr. Ewell's testimony.
BAILIFF (to the judge) Your Honor, can we take a short recess?
JUDGE TAYLOR (nodding) Very well. Court will reconvene in fifteen minutes.
The courtroom empties as the recess begins.
