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:

religion versus science | reference to charles darwin | scopes monkey trial | based on true story | based on play | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

George C. Scott cast in the TV film as Brady, had three years earlier played Drummond onstage.

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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 (1988)

User Reviews

Good for understanding the current debate

Have you ever seen the four-legged fish with Darwin written in it and wondered "What's that supposed to mean?" Have you seen the current religious debates on Evolution and thought, "It's just a theory, why the big deal?" Rent "Inherit the Wind" to help you understand why. While it has been a common practice to label fundamentalists as religious zealots, this movie helps show that anti-religious zealots can be a big problem, too. Both Bridges and Lemmon portray exploitive agnostics bent on tearing down a town's cornerstone of faith, and peace. These actors deserve an award for making their portrayal of opportunists completely believable. This was George C. Scott's final role. He played it brilliantly, the final moments are some of the best. One of the most shameful parts of the movie is when the town forms a mob and chants "We shall all hang Mr. Drummond" to the tune of "Give me that old-time religion". However, the film overplays these attacks and in the process makes a point that the characters' promotion of Darwin has more to do with debasing religion than it has in promoting science, and much less in proving the innocence of their client.

Just so you don't confuse this with the actual trial: John Scopes (Cates in the movie) was a football coach/math teacher; he hadn't ever been a disciple of Darwin or champion for Science as the movie promotes him. The students were never even taught evolution. Darrow(Drummond in the movie) actually demanded that Scopes be charged guilty.

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 Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1