Inherit the Wind

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K M. Terrific cast. An important film then and now. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Grant H 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! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/16/25 Full Review CodyZamboni 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 Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/28/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review dave s At a time when blind faith, willful ignorance and superstition continue to try to trump science and logic, Stanley Kramer's Inherit the Wind proves to be as timely today as it was when originally released over sixty years ago. Inspired by the Scopes Monkey Trial, the film tells the story of a grade school teacher charged for violating state law when he introduces his class to evolution. The film wastes no time getting to the meat of the matter and remains a compelling courtroom drama. While Gene Kelly's portrayal of a smug news reporter seems unnecessary and distracting, the rest of the cast is spot on, most notably Spencer Tracy in what could be his most compelling performance as the defense attorney. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A classic courtroom drama which pits human intellect against faith and two of the greatest screen icons - Spencer Tracy and Fredric March against each other in truly masterful performances. Inherit the Wind is a thinly veiled fictionalisation of the "Scopes Monkey Trial" which had the country on the edge of its seat in 1925 deciding on a teacher, John T. Scopes', ability to teach Darwin's Theory of Evolution in his Tennessee classroom which employed the real life giants of the day - leading civil rights' attorney Clarence Darrow (encouraged to serve by journalist H. L. Mencken) and "The Great Commoner" and 3 time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. In the film, Bertram Cates (played by a pre-Bewitched Dick York) is defended by Henry Drummond (Darrow/Tracy) as Matthew Harrison Brady (Bryan/March) attempts to drive the devil out of the sleepy town. Tracy and March give two of the most electrifying tandem performances - they truly feed off of each other while also vying to shine brighter than the other. This production is legendary for the fact that spectators would come from all over the studio to watch these stars shine in their performances. In spite of all that, Gene Kelly, really stands out for me in this film - one of his first dramatic roles to battle his singing and dancing type casting. Kelly plays E. K. Hornbeck (Mencken), a journalist who is the voice of the outside world looking in and the cynical newsman cutting through the bravado. He delivers one of my favourite ever lines "Mr. Brady, it is the duty of a newspaper to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." The dialogue throughout is appropriately snappy, heady, or sentimental. Helped, in part, by writer Nedrick Young who director Stanley Kramer bravely hired despite his blacklisting. Which brings us to the other underlining message of the film, made in the shadow of McCarthyism, is a parable of the Senator Joseph McCarthy's long tirade against intellectual discourse. Inherit the Wind beautifully compares this to the acceptance of the proven truth of science over the fantastical religious beliefs of The Book of Genesis. Tracy's closing speech about the simple sweet wonder we give up when we learn the truth or accept technological advancements can still be viewed today with dear appreciation for "good ol' days" and is prescient in regards to our advancing world's privacy concerns. Inherit the Wind continues to offer so much to viewers on many levels. Only a true classic can say that. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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