Inherit the Wind
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Movie Reviews of Inherit the Wind
Movie Review: Not historically accurate, but gripping and moving nonetheless...
Summary: 5 Stars
In 1955, playwrites Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee published their play, Inherit the Wind, in response to the anti-Communist lynch-mob mentality of the post-WWII/Korea era. Based in part on the historical events of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial in Dayton, Tennessee, Lawrence and Lee delved into the questions of tryanny by the majority and mob rule through the dramatization of the week-long "circus" surrounding the trial. The subsequent faithful screen adaptation of the story in 1960 employed not only the explosive dialogues and confrontations of hypocracy of the play but also employed the magnificent performances of acting legends Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. Portraying, respectively, rumpled and disheveled defense attorney Henry Drummond (Clarence Darrow in the real-life trial) and the religious populist and volunteer prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady (William Jennings Bryan), this film adaptation grips the imagination and leaves viewers emotionally and physically grasped by the courtroom proceedings and by the various confrontations between the old world that was and the new world that was coming. This film is as compelling today and perhaps moreso than it was when it was first released. Anyone wanting to enjoy two bravura performances of two of America's truly great actors is encouraged to set aside a couple of well-spent hours to watch and experience this film.Movie Review: Forget the Monkey and Enjoy the Ham
Summary: 5 Stars
"Inherit the Wind," Stanley Kramer's 1960 film rendering of the Scopes trial, is less about Clarence Darrow vs. William Jennings Bryan and more about Tracy vs. March. Or better yet, Smithfield vs. Proscuitto. Spencer Tracy is among my very favorite actors, in part because there was always a delightful bit of one-upsmanship to his style. That ability to dominate a scene was rarely more tested than when he matched wits with the wonderfully over-the-top Fredric March. The latter throws grandiose haymakers throughout the film, only to be consistently undercut by Tracy's trademark "underplaying," which was often overplaying in a clever disguise. That may sound illogical, but you have to watch a few of his films to get a sense for how routinely and effectively he did it. He was good at it. Gable wasn't kidding when he called him "the best we've got."
As for the history on display, well, better to read a book. The script plays loose with the facts, and Kramer pounds his moral points home with a large hammer (as he was wont to do). And there is little to be said for Gene Kelly's rather strident and too-knowingly-cynical turn as a sharp-tongued reporter. No, better to stick with the thespian grudge match at the center of the film. It's a fight to the death. We know who won in real life, but here in the movie it's a much tougher call. You're probably gonna need replay.
Movie Review: Tells its own story masterfully
Summary: 5 Stars
Any good atheist knows about this movie, based on the Scopes trial of 1925, opposing lawyers Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan over the teaching of evolution in Tennessee. What the movie does not tell you is that Scopes did it on purpose - as a test trial for the ACLU. I don't think adding this would have detracted from the drama, on the contrary. But this movie wants to tell its own story, and why not ? All the people are there, but under different names. The succulent H.L. Mencken is now named, bizarrely enough, E. K. Hornbeck (played wonderfully by Gene Kelley). Darrow and Bryan are now named Drummond and Brady, and both actors take over the picture wonderfully - Drummond gruffy and improvisational as he is confronted with obstacle after obstacle, Brady high-strung and severe.
How does it play out ? Wonderfully. Hornbeck is as much of an amused satirist as you would imagine. Darrow and Bryan strike all the right notes. The whole proceedings of the trial touches on many atheistic and libertarian notions (Bible fallibility, human fallibility, free speech, freedom of action, and so on). Love interests are added for the teacher, Darrow and Bryan, the last two being the same person and rather unnecessary.
So it wants to tell its own story. Fine : watch it and be absorbed. Accurate or not, this is not a masterpiece, but pretty close.
Movie Review: Nothing to get all upset about
Summary: 5 Stars
...this isn't an attack on Christianity anymore than it's a letter for letter account of the Scopes monkey trial. Do you remember Matthew Harrison Brady in the actual trial? No? That's because it's a ficticious name, and THAT'S because the movie is fiction...and that's all it's trying to be. The movie's point is to entertain with brilliant dialogue, brilliant acting, and brilliant camera shots. Even the 1 star ratings folks will tell you it's a great movie for its acting, etc.At the end of the movie, Spencer Tracy picks up the Bible. He picks up the book on Evolution that Cates was teaching with. He balanced them in his hands. And he showed the symbolism that people seem to have let fly above their steaming heads: It's possible to learn from both books without feeling like you're reading from viewpoints that contradict or try to disprove the other. Science only proves the Bible. It doesn't dispute it.
...People who believe in evolution aren't Hitler sympathizers, and Christians aren't closed minded idiots. Yes, the movie would've been better had Brady put up a better fight in the last day. So what? The movie still showed Brady's compassionate, human side...even if he was the object of jokes poked at him. Don't forget...the guy who was poking the most fun ended up looking like the biggest jerk in the movie...
Movie Review: INACCURATE BUT JUST AS ENJOYABLE TODAY...
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read many of the negative reviews concerning "Inherit the Wind", and I must agree with one thing: Stanley Kramer's film is filled with too many inaccuracies to count. This sleepy town of Dayton wanted the rest of the nation to notice them, so they reinvented themselves through the 'Monkey Trial'...If Custer hadn't died at the Little Big Horn, would anyone remember him??? So the 'John Scopes' trial that matched creationists against evolutionists was Dayton's 'last stand' I guess. But let's get back to Kramer's film.So what if "Inherit the Wind" twists all the facts and is more a work of fiction than fact. If you want to learn more about the 'Monkey Trial', read a textbook. If you want to see Spencer Tracy and Fredric March boxing each other with words, watch Kramer's great film. Gene Kelly is also featured as the sharp-tongued reporter who is sent to cover the 'trial'. And Harry Morgan, Dick York and Claude Akins also give good supporting performances.
Don't search for bits of propaganda or stereotypes in this film. You will be sure to find them. Rather, see the film as a classical work of art. The exchanges between Tracy and March are memorable, and Kramer's direction is brilliant.
"Inherit the Wind", no matter how accurate it 'isn't', is still one great piece of Americana you don't want to miss.