Inherit the Wind

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Inherit the Wind

1960

2h 7m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the 1920s, Tennessee schoolteacher Bertram Cates (Dick York) is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead of creationism. Drawing intense national attention in the media with writer E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly) reporting, two of the nation's leading lawyers go head-to-head: Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) for the prosecution, and Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) for the defense.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Aug 13, 2007

Spencer Tracy does his cuddly curmudgeon turn as Clarence Darrow; it's a lazy, vague performance, but its wit provides the only crack of light in the film's somber, gray overcast.

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

Tolerably gripping in its old-fashioned way, thanks chiefly to old pro performances from Tracy and March as the rival lawyers and ideologists.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Apr 4, 2003

5/5

Extraordinarly vivid, rich, and wise about the core questions of how we know and who we are.

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Gerri Major

Jet Magazine

Jan 17, 2024

Inherit The Wind is a masterpiece.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 18, 2021

3/4

Still relevant.

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Oct 29, 2020

4.5/5

Kramer's film speaks volumes about how fear and ignorance still drive attempts to cage liberal thought and how we must stand up against such human rights violations.

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Alejandro E

@Alex970 Mar 20, 2026

One of the finest examples of courtroom drama. The age-old clash between science and religious fanaticism. From the very first minutes, you find yourself drawn into the story and its incredible performances, particularly that of Spencer Tracy.

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Mike N.

@artcarney55 Dec 27, 2025

Tracy’s next performance

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K M.

@KJMAC Jul 6, 2025

Terrific cast. An important film then and now.

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Grant H

@RT95929188 May 16, 2025

Especially in 2025, when the right to think critically is under challenge in the USA, this film resonates with righteous indignation. The questions it asks are as relevant now as they were in 1961. Tracy and March are excellent, and supported by an equally impressive cast. One of the greats!

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CodyZamboni

@CodyZamboni May 8, 2023

Movie was compelling all the way. I was surprised at the serio-comic tone, but it works. The movie is also sharp, insightful, intense, and fair minded, by showing the hypocrisy on both sides of the issue. All of this anchored by powerhouse performances by Tracy and March. And it was nice to see the famous BACK TO THE FUTURE clocktower square

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Jul 28, 2022

What a great movie. As an atheist, I can't believe I've never heard of this movie till now. It's sad that almost 100 years later and people still don't accept evolution.

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Stanley Kramer

Director

Spencer Tracy

Henry Drummond

Fredric March

Matthew Harrison Brady

Gene Kelly

E. K. Hornbeck

Florence Eldridge

Mrs. Sarah Brady

Dick York

Bertram T. Cates

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Synopsis

In the 1920s, Tennessee schoolteacher Bertram Cates (Dick York) is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead of creationism. Drawing intense national attention in the media with writer E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly) reporting, two of the nation's leading lawyers go head-to-head: Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) for the prosecution, and Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) for the defense.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee, Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith
Distributor: Fox, United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Lomitas Productions Inc.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2010
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Mono

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