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 (as Daniel Petrie Sr.)

Writers:

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

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, Lane Smith

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Henry Drummond
George C. Scott	...	Matthew Harrison Brady
Lane Smith	...	Reverend Jeremiah Brown
Tom Everett Scott	...	Bertram Cates
Kathryn Morris	...	Rachel Brown
John Cullum	...	Judge Merle Coffey
Brad Greenquist	...	Tom Davenport
David Wells	...	Mayor Carter
Peter Mackenzie	...	Jesse Dunlap
Dennis Cockrum	...	Meeker
Steve Monroe	...	Howard
Jim Meskimen	...	Sauber
Royce D. Applegate	...	George Sillers
Amzie Strickland	...	Mrs. Krebs
Ronnie Claire Edwards	...	Mrs. Haley

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.

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Plot Keywords:

william jennings bryan | clarence darrow | religion versus science | reference to charles darwin | scopes monkey trial | 

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Taglines:

The Landmark Trial That Forever Changed A Nation.

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Genres:

Drama

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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:

Inherit the Wind

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Piper Laurie, both Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott were in poor health during filming. However, she claimed that while Lemmon frequently forgot his lines, Scott despite being very weak and tired never forgot his.

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Quotes

Henry Drummond: He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart.

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Connections

Version of Inherit the Wind (1965)

User Reviews

superior TV remake

The original version of 'Inherit the Wind' teamed two acting heavyweights, Spencer Tracy as Henry Drummond, and Fredric March as Matthew Harrison Brady. It was a fabulous film and boasted an intelligent script.

Now this script has come to television (for the second remake), and boasts two top actors who came to prominence in the 1950s - Jack Lemmon as Henry Drummond, and George C Scott as Matthew Harrison Brady. Both inhabit their characters perfectly, and it is always a joy to see two old-timers sparring on the screen when their styles gel so well.

Both looking old and tired (Scott died shortly after completing this, Lemmon in 2001), their battle in court has a different kind of emphasis than the original, where the leads appeared in better health and were that bit younger. However, even at the end of their careers, Scott and Lemmon are really excellent, and Beau Bridges is also memorable in a role first played by dancer-turned-actor Gene Kelly, while Piper Laurie provides good support.

TV remakes are often redundant but this one passes the quality test and is well worth a look, especially if you are a fan of either of the leads. It's also an interesting complement to the remake of Twelve Angry Men in which they both appeared a couple of years earlier.