Inherit The Wind Movie Review (1960)

A remarkable and captivating film that is just as relevant now as it was in its time, Inherit The Wind is based on the real court trial of a man teaching Darwinism in the 1920s.

I’m embarrassed to say that I’d never heard of Inherit The Wind until recently. I was watching a television show and it was mentioned in passing, so I looked it up and added it to my watchlist. With the world in such chaos right now – with everyone so divided – I feel like we should do a single worldwide screening of this film.

Inherit The Wind is the story of a teacher named Bertram Cates, who chooses to teach Darwinism to his high school students in 1925. His Tennessee town opposes the teaching of evolution and imprisons him for going against their wishes and the teachings of the bible. This film covers the battle in court between two top lawyers and is based on the real Scopes trial of 1925, which was the first trial in American history to be broadcast on the radio.

This 1960 film is based on the 1955 play of the same name (which is based on the actual trial) and it is excellent. Also called the “Monkey Trial” (because the idea that we were descended from apes was preposterous), there are so many things about this that stuck out to me.

First, it is dated, but also a huge part of history. Lines like, “The safest place in the world is in a jail” (spoken by the sincere jailkeeper) struck me as an interesting tidbit. Most people would disagree with that now.

Second, the cinematography is very interesting. For a film that was released 65 years ago, shots of people walking in synchronization while being filmed from behind the side of someone’s head or a large courtroom sequence where it suddenly becomes a chaotic aerial shot and everyone is having their own moment of melting down are fantastic.

Third, the actors are amazing – and people you will recognize from other things. Dick York plays Bertram Cates (Bewitched’s Darrin anyone?), Spencer Tracy and Fredric March play the lawyers, Gene Kelly is a reporter, Harry Morgan is the judge (Colonel Potter from MASH), and there’s a small appearance by Norman Fell (who was Mr. Roper on Three’s Company). Every new face is a fun revelation.

Fourth, and most importantly, the subject of this film and the way it is presented is stunning. Two lawyers who are not enemies, but stand diametrically opposed in their positions. One argues that the bible is literal and it is blasphemous to suggest otherwise, and the other argues that a person should have a right to question the status quo and explore alternatives.

I could go on and on about the points that resonated with me about this film, but instead, let me quote the film. “All motion is relative, maybe it’s you that has moved away by standing still.” “If we are told what to believe, then why did God plague us with the ability to think? Why do you deny man the one thing that raises him above all of the other creatures of the earth? The power of its brain to reason. What other merit have we?” “The bible is a book. A good book, but not the only book.”

The argument of this movie, in every frame, in every nuance, is that one person doesn’t have the right to infringe on another’s beliefs with their own. Believe what you believe and allow someone else to explore in their own world. It is about respect for the individual mind. Inherit The Wind is electric, intellectual, cunning, and logical. I truly thought it was fantastic.

Runtime: 128 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: Not rated (but I would say PG)

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes, definitely

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 4.75/5 Stars

Available: Free on Tubi, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms