Inherit The Wind
"One of the most brilliant and engrossing displays of acting ever witnessed!" -The New York Times
Two-time Best Actor Oscar® winners Spencer Tracy and Fredric March go toe-to-toe in this thrilling recreation of the most titanic courtroom battle of the century. Garnering four Academy Award® nominations including Best Actor (Tracy), and featuring Gene Kelly in a rare, critically acclaimed dramatic role, Inherit the Wind is powerful, provocative cinema and "a heaping measure of entertainment" (The Hollywood Reporter)!
The controversial subject of evolution versus creation causes two polar opposites to engage in one explosive battle of beliefs. Attorney Clarence Darrow (Tracy) faces off against fundamentalist leader William Jennings Bryan (March) in a small Tennessee town where a teacher has been brought to trial for teaching Darwinism. Let the trial begin... and watch the sparks fly!
Member Reviews
A Classic - MikeB
Great Script and Great delivery, particularly from Gene Kelly. Its a standard but powerful performance from Spencer Tracy. Perhaps Fredric March goes over the top now and then. Its’ one of those films that delivers a powerful blast against religion (biblical Christianity especially). It’s definitely subjective, but it’s a point of view that I entirely agree with.
In many ways it is more valid today than ever; some statistics demonstrate that over half of the U.S. population does not believe in evolution. Or another way of saying this is that a significant proportion of U.S. citizens believe that the Bible is the word of God. Pretty frightening!
The film is well shot in black and white and its definitely a classic – over fifty years old now!Darwin vs. God - MovieProf
It’s appropriate that "Inherit the Wind" came out in 1960, because probably no other decade saw such sweeping changes in society. Case in point, the subject matter of this film: whether teaching evolution is a crime or not.
Bear in mind that the film takes place in the U.S., long ago--in the early part of the twentieth century--in a southern state. It is shocking to see how far a town will go to keep evolution out of the classroom, and out of the minds of its children. High school teacher Bertram T. Cates (Dick York) is willing to test his luck, and finds himself arrested and put on trial for teaching such blasphemy. Cue lawyer Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) to the rescue.
The case itself is presented over the next two plus hours, and as engaging as it is to watch the various viewpoints, the real fun in this film is the interplay between Drummond and former presidential candidate Matthew Harrison Brady, played expertly by Fredric March. Brady is also devoutly pious, so his intense disgust at the teachings of Cates allows for one fantastic exchange after another between he and Drummond. We also find out that the two know each other: Drummond is an old friend and former aide in Brady’s two unsuccessful presidential attempts.
A gripping courtroom drama at its best, “Inherit” allows us all to consider the role of Darwin in the classroom.Inherit the Wind - Bumblebee
This film is timeless in that the acting, directing and topic itself appeal to people of all ages. The philosophical battle of Creationism vs Darwinism is still alive and strong today as is the basic right of every human being 'to think for him/herself'. The Scopes Monkey Trial may have inspired this movie but the superb acting from everyone involved, particularly Spencer Tracey, gave life and meaning to script. I remember studying this as a play in high school over 20 years ago and enjoyed watching it with my teenage children who appreciated the film's message even if it was not peppered with special effects or violence! Great classic!
Member Reviews
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A Classic - MikeB
Great Script and Great delivery, particularly from Gene Kelly. Its a standard but powerful performance from Spencer Tracy. Perhaps Fredric March goes over the top now and then. Its’ one of those films that delivers a powerful blast against religion (biblical ...Darwin vs. God - MovieProf
It’s appropriate that "Inherit the Wind" came out in 1960, because probably no other decade saw such sweeping changes in society. Case in point, the subject matter of this film: whether teaching evolution is a crime or not.
Bear in mind that the film ...Inherit the Wind - Bumblebee
This film is timeless in that the acting, directing and topic itself appeal to people of all ages. The philosophical battle of Creationism vs Darwinism is still alive and strong today as is the basic right of every human being 'to think for him/herself'. ...