Inherit the Wind (1960)

Rob picked this Oscar nominated film about religion versus evolution

Director: Stanley Kramer

Writer: Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith (Screenplay) Jerome Lawrence, Robert E Lee (Play)

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York, Donna Anderson, Harry Morgan, Claude Akins, Elliot Reid

Plot: 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.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Strong Historical Story

Story: Inherit the Wind starts with Bertram T Cates (York) getting arrested for teaching his class about evolution going against the religious beliefs the nation has. When top lawyer Matthew Harrison Brady (March) agrees too go against Bertram in is the flash E.K. Hornbeck (Kelly) who brings highly respect lawyer Henry Drummond (Tracy) to defend Bertram.

What follows in the courtroom battle between two of the biggest lawyers and friends over whether evolution can be taught in schools who still heavily believe in religious.

Inherit the Wind brings us into the story that shows just how naive we were as human less than 100 years ago. The whole religion versus evolution is still talked about now but people are more open to looking at both sides of the discussion. This really does end up playing very political but still just does what they all do now. To see this case as a court case almost feels like a joke but in the end I think this is important step how far and open human finally have become. (7/10)

Actor Review

Spencer Tracy: Henry Drummond is the highly respected lawyer who is bought into defend Bertram and uses all his skills to make sure the trial is fair, even if the most part of the town is against him. Spencer does a good job in the leading role of this film. (7/10)

Fredric March: Matthew Harrison Brady is the prosecution lawyer who wants to use his fame to help him win the case as he gets a heroes welcome to the town. Fredric does a goog job opposite Spencer in this battle f the egos. (7/10)

Gene Kelly: E. K. Hornbeck is the flash reporter who comes to town to help write the story about this case, he easily likes to spin the story in his favour. Making himself enemies inside the town. Gene does a good job in this role. (7/10)

Dick York: Bertram T Cates is the teacher who gets charged with teaching evolution to his class that is heavily religious. He wants to stand up for what he believes in even if it means going against the whole tide of the town. Dick does a good job in this role without really getting the screen time his character deserves. (7/10)

Support Cast: Inherit the Wind has a supporting cast that includes people who are on both sides of the fence as we see how each side gets defended.

Director Review: Stanley Kramer – Stanley does a good job with this courtroom drama that lets both sides shine with their defence. (7/10)

Drama: Inherit the Wind shows all the traits that show how powerful the story is one both sides of the fence. (7/10)

History: Inherit the Wind shows just how far the human race has come from its naive look at the world in the 1920s. (9/10)

Settings: Inherit the Wind uses the settings well with large parts of the film being in the courtroom. (8/10)

Suggestion: Inherit the Wind is one for all the historical fans to watch but I think the casual fans won’t see much of an appeal in it. (Try It)

Best Part: Courtroom.

Worst Part: The fact this actually went to court.

Believability: Based on the real case. (9/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Oscar Chances: Nominated for 4 Oscars

Runtime: 2 Hours 8 Minutes

Tagline:  It’s all about the monkey trial that rocked America.

Overall: Important drama that shows just how ignorant humans once were.

Rating