Inherit the Wind (1960) 8.2
Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution. Director:Stanley Kramer |
|
| 0Share... |
Inherit the Wind (1960) 8.2
Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution. Director:Stanley Kramer |
|
| 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Spencer Tracy | ... | ||
| Fredric March | ... | ||
| Gene Kelly | ... | ||
| Dick York | ... | ||
| Donna Anderson | ... | ||
| Harry Morgan | ... | ||
| Claude Akins | ... | ||
| Elliott Reid | ... | ||
|
|
Paul Hartman | ... |
Bailiff Mort Meeker
|
|
|
Philip Coolidge | ... | |
|
|
Jimmy Boyd | ... | |
| Noah Beery Jr. | ... | ||
| Norman Fell | ... | ||
|
|
Gordon Polk | ... | |
| Hope Summers | ... | ||
Teacher B.T. Cates is arrested for teaching Darwin's theories. Famous lawyer Henry Drummond defends him; fundamentalist politician Matthew Brady prosecutes. This is a very thinly disguised rendition of the 1925 "Scopes monkey trial" with debates between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan taken largely from the transcripts. Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
People like to comment on this film's "overacting". Try watching any of Joan Crawford's movies from this period and then get back to me. Inherit the Wind is a totally compelling story of the traditional school of thought versus a new scientific one. It centers on a small southern town coming to terms with Darwinism and its implications on Christianity. Spencer Tracy is an eloquent defense lawyer fighting to let evolution stay in the public schools. The script is quite good. The court room exchanges are thought provoking and moving especially when one knows about the real people and events behind the story. It's very difficult to come up with a criticism here. Not a weak performance to be seen.