Inherit the Wind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teacher teaches evolution, lawyers yell a lot, and everyone learns that monkeys may or may not be our ancestors.

🍿 Inherit the Wind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Town Divided

In the small, rural town of Hillsboro, Tennessee, teacher Bertram Cates is arrested for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution, a violation of state law. The town becomes a battleground between science and religion, attracting national attention.

The Arrival of Giants

Two legal titans arrive in Hillsboro: Henry Drummond, a renowned defense attorney known for his unconventional methods, and Matthew Harrison Brady, a fundamentalist politician and three-time presidential candidate, to prosecute Cates. Their clash represents the larger conflict between modern thought and traditional beliefs.

The Trial Begins

The trial commences, drawing a large crowd and media coverage. Drummond challenges the literal interpretation of the Bible and questions the freedom to think and teach. He seeks to expose the dangers of enforced ignorance and blind faith.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy): A renowned defense attorney and self-proclaimed agnostic who defends Cates’s right to teach evolution.
• Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March): A former presidential candidate and devoutly religious prosecutor determined to uphold the literal interpretation of the Bible.
• Bertram T. Cates (Dick York): A Tennessee schoolteacher on trial for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution, challenging the state law.
• E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly): A cynical and sarcastic reporter who covers the trial, providing sharp commentary on the events and characters.
• Rachel Brown (Donna Anderson): Cates’s girlfriend and the Reverend’s daughter, torn between her love for Cates and her loyalty to her father and religious beliefs.
• Rev. Jeremiah Brown (Claude Akins): Rachel’s father and the fire-and-brimstone preacher who condemns Cates and espouses a strict, literal interpretation of the Bible.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry Drummond: “An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral. And the advance of man’s knowledge is a greater miracle than all the sticks turned to snakes or the parting of the waters!” – Drummond passionately defends the importance of intellectual freedom over blind faith.
• Matthew Harrison Brady: “We must not abandon faith! Faith is the most important thing!” – Brady expresses his conviction that faith is paramount, setting the stage for the central conflict.
• Henry Drummond: “Then why did God plague us with the capacity to think? Mr. Brady, why do you deny the one faculty of man that raises him above the other creatures of the earth, the power of his brain to reason?” – Drummond challenges Brady on the role of reason and intellect in humanity.
• E. K. Hornbeck: “You know, Gentlemen, that is the penalty man pays for greatness. He must attend to the small men who are jealous. Great men are so rare that the world doesn’t have enough to go around.” – Hornbeck cynically comments on the nature of fame and envy.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,500,000
• Worldwide Gross: $6,500,000

💥 Inherit the Wind Reviews

Personal Review

I watched this movie because I am interested in historical dramas, and I wasn’t disappointed! Spencer Tracy delivers an incredible performance. The courtroom scenes were riveting, and the dialogue was sharp and intense. It made me think about the importance of free thought and questioning established beliefs. Highly recommend!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic courtroom dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in historical films based on real events”
  • “Those who enjoy films exploring themes of intellectual freedom and social justice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes related to religion and science”
  • “Some intense courtroom scenes with strong language”
  • “May be sensitive for viewers with strong religious beliefs”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Inherit the Wind is a powerful and thought-provoking courtroom drama, fueled by stellar performances from Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. The film expertly tackles complex themes with nuance, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
• IMDB: “A classic courtroom drama with outstanding performances. Tracy and March are captivating as they embody their characters. The film’s themes of free thought vs. dogma are still relevant today. The film should be seen by everyone interested in American history.

Audience Reactions

The acting was superb, especially the dynamic between Tracy and March.: Viewers consistently praise the powerful performances and the film’s thought-provoking themes.

Overall Consensus: A highly regarded courtroom drama known for its exceptional performances and enduring relevance.

Awards

1. Berlin International Film Festival (Silver Bear for Best Actor)- 1960
2. Berlin International Film Festival (OCIC Award)- 1960

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “To heighten the tension of Spencer Tracy’s final summation to the jury, the scene was filmed in a single take.”
• “All the names of the characters were changed from the real-life Scopes Trial to allow for creative freedom and to avoid potential lawsuits.”
• “The film is based on a play of the same name, which was written as a criticism of McCarthyism in the US, drawing parallels between the suppression of scientific thought and the suppression of political dissent.”

🖥️ How to Watch Inherit the Wind?

Inherit the Wind is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video for purchase or rental. Check your local listings for availability on other streaming services like Apple TV or Vudu. You can also find the movie for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Inherit the Wind, you might like these similar films:

• Judgment at Nuremberg (1961): Another Stanley Kramer film dealing with a landmark trial and profound moral questions.
• 12 Angry Men (1957): Focuses on intense courtroom drama with moral and ethical dilemmas being explored.
• Doubt (2008): Explores themes of faith, doubt, and accusations within a religious community, similar to the conflicts in Inherit the Wind.
• The Crucible (1996): Deals with themes of mass hysteria and persecution based on differing beliefs, reminiscent of the town’s reaction in Inherit the Wind.

🛒 Inherit the Wind Related Products

• Inherit the Wind (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A pristine edition of the film, fully remastered and with extra features making this a collector’s item. Criterion collection version offers amazing picture quality and in-depth features.
• Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned: A biography of Clarence Darrow, the real lawyer that inspired the Henry Drummond character in Inherit the Wind. Downloadable ebook on Kindle that provides a historical context. The book goes more into Darrow’s ideas.
• Scopes Monkey Trial: Day-To-Day Accounts: A meticulous, detailed account that describes what really happened during the Scopes trial in the 1920s. Downloadable audio book and ebook. The actual accounts differ significantly from Inherit the Wind.
• The Great Monkey Trial: This book provides insight and details regarding the 1925 Scopes Trial. A first hand account is combined with expert background material and commentary.

🎧 Soundtrack

Inherit the Wind features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “(Gimme Dat) Old Time Religion” – performed by Traditional spiritual
• “Battle Hymn of the Republic” – performed by Traditional Hymn

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Scopes “Monkey” Trial (1925) | America Went “Ape” Over This Case

Ever wonder what the real story behind ‘Inherit the Wind’ is? This animated video breaks down the Scopes Monkey Trial in a super engaging way – you won’t believe how wild the actual trial was!

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