Mockingbird Don't Sing

This movie should by no means be rated on it's entertainment value as some do as the true case is way too serious to consider for entertainment purposes.

I stumbled across it on a movie channel and just went along feeling more and more sad and frustrated over the total failure of the authorities to secure the interests of this poor, wretched human experiencing for 13 years a fate much worse than death and later being less than ideally where the therapists, teachers and researches take care of no. 1 first.

I don't know if anyone in America has learned anything from this case, but some historic words come into mind:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

But is America really interested in helping any of these?

I missed a sharper critical profile in the movie on this aspect rather than letting everybody off easy.

The young actor did a tremendous job and can't be applauded enough.

I am not sure I want to recommend anyone seeing it, as it is way too sad. Maybe we are better off not knowing of the cruelty and stupidity some parents can subject their children to and easily get away with it.

This awful story of child abuse aired in the UK on the True Movies channel (I believe). The next day at work, nearly everyone I know was intent on discussing it. The acting was excellent throughout and the interest was held by some fine directing.

There are so many points to ponder in this film. You don't have to be a psychology student to appreciate it - just a normal decent human being.

I looked this up on the IMDb because I had been reading an old interview with Harry Bromley-Davenport (in Dark Side magazine). Given the sort of films he has made in the past, I feel at last he now has a film he can be truly proud of. Well done old chap - there's clearly more to you than 'Xtro'!

This movie kept me glued to the screen. I think it is because of natural human instinct to be inquisitive about terrible & traumatic events that happen to others. Also, the acting was really believable and natural. The storyline was great, except for the ending. At the end of the movie, they had text on the screen telling what happened to each character. But they didn't tell enough of what happened to Katie. I don't like to be left hanging about the main character. It is like missing the end of the movie--what is the point of watching 90% of a movie, if you miss the last 10%? I really wanted to know the outcome, and still do. Maybe if I search online, I can find out some more information. It was definitely worth watching. But, I would have given it a score of 9 instead of 7 if it had more info about the main character and her ending.

The movie was set in the 70s and it accurately depicted the life and times through the clothes, hairdo, household products and music. The central character is the 13 year old victim of child abuse, Katie Standen and the women who sought to bring out of her abused state, namely her mother Mrs. Standen, child therapist Judy Bingham and psychology graduate student Sandra. The story is told from the point of view of Sandra. One can't help but feel a sense of melodrama and a tinge of sadness when seeing how all 3 desperately try to save Katie whilst fighting each other for her custody and trust. Katie, played by Tara Steele is excellent in her role as a victim who spits, vomits and then eats again her food and also, "touches" herself. The ending leaves you somewhat sad and melancholic and will stay in your head for days.

we had to watch this film for a psychology assignment and all i can say is that it was really fascinating! the plot was fantastic, it was so sensitively written...in fact it could have been dramatised a lot more...some films over dramatise child abuse. the actors were fantastic, especially the actress who played Katie: she was a real star! this is a fantastic movie for a psychology student as it is such a scientifically based film. only the letter at the top of the review page proves this! this is a fantastic movie for anyone interested in how people work, and for anyone who likes films with a real story behind them. i strongly recommend this film!!!!