{"id":53070,"date":"2020-11-09T09:33:08","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T16:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=53070"},"modified":"2020-11-17T15:40:30","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T22:40:30","slug":"inherit-the-wind-1960","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=53070","title":{"rendered":"Inherit the Wind (1960)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;This community is an insult to the world!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-300x222.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-53079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-1024x758.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-128x95.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-768x569.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster-365x270.png 365w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster.png 1117w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a teacher (Dick York) in 1925 small-town Tennessee is put on trial for teaching Darwin&#8217;s theory of evolution rather than Creationism, he&#8217;s defended by agnostic Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), prosecuted by Bible-thumper Matthew Brady (Fredric March), covered in a media spectacle by cynical journalist E.K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly), and supported by his loving but concerned fiancee (Donna Anderson), whose preacher-father (Claude Akins) is the town&#8217;s most vocal opponent of Darwinian theory.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Courtroom Drama<\/li>\n<li>Deep South<\/li>\n<li>Fredric March Films<\/li>\n<li>Gene Kelly Films<\/li>\n<li>Lawyers<\/li>\n<li>Media Spectacle<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptation<\/li>\n<li>Rivalry<\/li>\n<li>Small Town America<\/li>\n<li>Spencer Tracy Films<\/li>\n<li>Stanley Kramer Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDirector-producer Stanley Kramer helmed this adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Inherit_the_Wind_(play)\">Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee&#8217;s 1955 Broadway play<\/a>, based on the infamous <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Scopes_Trial\">Scopes Monkey Trial<\/a>. Details and names have been changed &#8212; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.filmsite.org\/inhe.html\">Tim Dirk&#8217;s FilmSite review<\/a> for an extensive analysis &#8212; but the essence of the storyline has been retained, while focusing primarily on the drama of two powerful men butting heads on stage (literally so, <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Poster.png\">as shown in this poster<\/a>). The theme of highly religious citizens defying the incorporation of science and reason into their lives is (sadly) as relevant as ever (it&#8217;s odd how pertinent this tale remains nearly 100 years later), as is the notion of the media seizing on a high-emotion battle between two opposing personalities (presidential elections, anyone?). Unfortunately, the fictional inclusion of a conflicted fiancee for York adds unnecessary drama to what was already a powerful enough courtroom tale, and Kelly seems miscast (one expects him to break into song and dance at any moment) &#8212; but the film remains worth a one-time look for the noteworthy lead performances and the intrinsic drama of science &#8220;versus&#8221; faith.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Kramer made a number of &#8220;message pictures&#8221; right around this time &#8212; including <em>The Defiant Ones<\/em> (1958), <em>On the Beach<\/em> (1959), <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20101\"><em>Judgment at Nuremberg<\/em> (1961)<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=30320\"><em>Guess Who&#8217;s Coming to Dinner<\/em> (1968)<\/a> &#8212; and this fits right into that category. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Spencer Tracy as Henry Drummond<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-1024x585.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"366\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-53072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-1024x585.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-1536x877.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4-473x270.png 473w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still4.png 1823w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fredric March as Matthew Brady<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-1024x584.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"365\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-53073\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-1024x584.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-768x438.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-1536x876.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March-473x270.png 473w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-March.png 1825w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography and direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-53075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Still2.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-1024x578.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-53074\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-1024x578.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-768x434.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-1536x867.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2-478x270.png 478w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Inherit-the-Wind-Cinematography2.png 1819w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended for one-time viewing. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0053946\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/16639\/inherit-the-wind#articles-reviews?articleId=31510\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.qnetwork.com\/review\/419\">Q Network Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/67133\/inherit-the-wind\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.filmsite.org\/inhe.html\">FilmSite Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=11833&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;This community is an insult to the world!&#8221; Synopsis: When a teacher (Dick York) in 1925 small-town Tennessee is put on trial for teaching Darwin&#8217;s theory of evolution rather than Creationism, he&#8217;s defended by agnostic Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), prosecuted by Bible-thumper Matthew Brady (Fredric March), covered in a media spectacle by cynical journalist E.K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly), and supported by his loving but concerned fiancee (Donna Anderson), whose preacher-father (Claude Akins) is the town&#8217;s most vocal opponent of Darwinian&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=53070\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-53070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=53070"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53546,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53070\/revisions\/53546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}