Inherit the Wind (1960)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers (WGA):

Jerome Lawrence (play) and
Robert E. Lee (play) ...

Release Date:

1 November 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

It's all about the monkey trial that rocked America.

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.

Plot Keywords:

Cynic | Heavenly Hills | Father Daughter Relationship | Science vs Religion | Clarence Darrow

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Spencer Tracy	...	Henry Drummond
Fredric March	...	Matthew Harrison Brady
Gene Kelly	...	E. K. Hornbeck
Dick York	...	Bertram T. Cates
Donna Anderson	...	Rachel Brown
Harry Morgan	...	Judge Mel Coffey
Claude Akins	...	Rev. Jeremiah Brown
Elliott Reid	...	Prosecutor Tom Davenport
Paul Hartman	...	Deputy Horace Meeker - Bailiff
Philip Coolidge	...	Mayor Jason Carter
Jimmy Boyd	...	Howard - Biology Student
Noah Beery Jr.	...	John Stebbins
Norman Fell	...	WGN Radio Technician
Gordon Polk	...	George Sillers - Juror Accepted
Hope Summers	...	Mrs. Krebs - Righteous Townswoman

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:PG (re-rating) | UK:U | USA:Approved | West Germany:12 | Australia:G | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11

Company:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Trivia:

In the scene where Drummond (Spencer Tracy) tells the story of his rocking horse "Golden Dancer" to Brady (Fredric March), they are sitting in rocking chairs on the porch of the boarding house. The actors are both rocking their chairs but are never in sync with each other to emphasize their differences of opinion.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the courtroom examination of Matthew Harrison Brady by Henry Drummond, Drummond shows Brady a 10 million-year-old rock, which he places on the judge's desk. Later in the scene, the rock is back in his hand, and when he dismisses Brady, he places it back on the desk without ever having picked it back up.

Quotes:

Matthew Harrison Brady: I am a man, not a sponge!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Jungle Goddess (#3.3)" (1990)

Soundtrack:

(Give Me That) Old Time Religion

If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, this is it.

After recently watching each remake of this film, one can easily appreciate what an incredible film the 1960 version is. It is the perfectly made film and should be held up to all as the pinnacle of film making. It has the perfect director and the perfect actors. It probably has the best behind-the-scenes crew ever assembled including the perfect film editor. The choice of black and white is also perfect. This is one of those few gems where every element of film making came together to make the perfect movie.

The story is very thought provoking from both points of view, the evolutionist and the fundamental Christian. While I am not even close to being a Christian of any kind, I am haunted by the speech given by Matthew Harrison Brady that says how our children will turn into a godless mob with no direction without the teachings of the Bible (paraphrasing). But, isn't that what has happened some 80+ years after the story takes place? The actors effortlessly sell each character's point of view.

There is very little that can be said about Spencer Tracy, Frederick March and Gene Kelly that hasn't already been said. When you see the new version of this film, you can really understand why these actors are held in such high esteem. These guys are actors!

In short, this is one of the finest films ever made and should be seen by everyone.