Inherit the Wind (1999)

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:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

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

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, David Wells

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jack Lemmon	...	Henry Drummond
George C. Scott	...	Matthew Harrison Brady
David Wells	...	Mayor Carter
Beau Bridges	...	E.K. Hornbeck
Tom Everett Scott	...	Bertram Cates
John Cullum	...	Judge Merle Coffey
Kathryn Morris	...	Rachel Brown
Lane Smith	...	Reverend Jeremiah Brown
Brad Greenquist	...	Tom Davenport
Piper Laurie	...	Sarah Brady
Peter Mackenzie	...	Jesse Dunlap
Jim Meskimen	...	Sauber
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Royce D. Applegate	...	George Sillers
Twyla Banks	...	Girl in Parade / Student
Dirk Blocker	...	Sheriff Sam Gibson

Storyline

This is another re-enactment of the play about the trial in 1925 of a school teacher who dared to teach Darwinian theory in his classroom. He did this as a consequence of one of his student's request to know... The student was a lad named 'Stebbins', and the trial (dubbed the 'Monkey Trial') pitted the great attorney of the day, Clarence Darrow, against the often running presidential candidate, and famous orator, William Jennings Bryan.

---

Plot Keywords:

science | william jennings bryan | clarence darrow | scopes monkey trial | religion | 

---

Taglines:

The Landmark Trial That Forever Changed A Nation.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and thematic material

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heredarás el viento

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita Studios - 25135 Anza Drive, Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MGM Television, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last film of George C. Scott.

---

Connections

Version of Inherit the Wind (1960)

User Reviews

Almost as good as the original

This version of the Scopes Trial is better than the first TV version for several reasons, the first is that its a reasonable running time. Next it doesn't have breaks for commercials, this was done for cable and not commercial TV. Lastly this has the performances of Lemon and Scott who come damn close to equaling Tracy and March in the first version of this.

George C Scott was to star on Broadway in a revival of this play a year or two before he made this film. Illness prevented him appearing in most of the run, but based on this performance seeing it live must have been electric. There are several small moments, one near the end of the film in particular where his mastery of acting shine through. In that final moment, the weight of the battle and its implications loom large, sitting on his bed with his wife he begins to break down in ways that are touching and heart breaking.

Lemmon is his equal and he easily makes this one for the ages as he spars with Scott about what is and is not history and sacred.

This is a great TV movie which only has as its flaw the fact that its not the original.