Adapting history to the movie screen is not a novel concept. Many movie productions have captured audiences ' attentions and shed light on historical happenings. However, there is the occasional movie that goes above and beyond being a simple historical flick. Inherit the Wind is a perfect example of this exceptionalism. The movie, a classic take on the social issues of 1920 's America, is directed by Stanley Kramer and features stars like Gene Kelley, Spencer Tracey, and Fredric March (IMDb). The movie appeals to both history geeks and the general population alike, and it is rated for general audiences. It leaves this audience both captivated with the skilled acting and brilliantly crafted plot and enlightened with historical knowledge of an otherwise obscure time. Inherit the Wind is a movie everyone can enjoy due to the passionate and skilled acting, the enthralling dialogue, and the relentlessly captivating plot. Inherit the Wind has been fascinating moviegoers since it was released in 1960. The movie is an adaptation based on the famous Scopes Monkey Trial. In this trial, a teacher from Dayton, Tennessee was indicted for teaching the theory of evolution to his class. The resultant trial and controversy brought in many famous political and social commentators of the time. Inherit the Wind features fictional characters based on real world lawyers and politicians of the time, including the school teacher Bertram T. Cates (Dick York), famed prosecutor and former presidential candidate Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March), prominent defense lawyer Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy), and news reporter E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly). Cates is brought to trial in the fictional town of Hillsborough, Tennessee by the zealous passion of Matthew Brady, and his defense lawyer faces an avalanche of public disdain to defend the rights of the lone school teacher. The action packed and poignant trial that follows brings out the best qualities of Inherit the Wind. The first appreciable quality of Inherit the Wind is the stellar and captivating acting performed by the world class cast.
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It is no wonder why professional movie reviewers resort to statements such as, "Mr. Kramer has wonderfully accomplished not only a graphic fleshing of his theme, but he also has got one of the most brilliant and engrossing displays of acting ever witnessed on the screen," to refer to the skilled acting in the movie (Crowther). The brilliant acting is proven throughout the movie. One of the most poignant scenes is at the culmination of oral arguments in the trial. Brady, the driven and defiant prosecutor, will be unconventionally called to the stand as a witness for the defense. He faces interrogation on his beliefs and those found in the bible, and has no choice but to admit that Bertram Cates has every right to think for himself and to teach evolution in his classroom. The actors brilliantly culminate the entirety of the social and religious turmoil of 1920 's America into this fiery and intolerant match of intellectual geniuses. Without the superb acting prowess demonstrated, the scene would not have left the audience glued to their seats. There are further examples of the way acting has enhanced the movie. The other engrossing parts of the movie are the scenes of out-of-courtroom friendship between Brady and Drummond. The men actually find a closer, more intimate understanding of each other throughout the proceedings. The ability of the actors to portray these two vital characters as both giants of intolerant passion and beacons of human kindness are pivotal to the allure of the movie. However, acting alone cannot make a movie that lacks dialogue and a good plot memorable. Fortunately, Inherit the Wind possesses both. Another superb element of Inherit the Wind is the stellar dialogue. Once again, the unforgettable third courtroom scene provides proof. This scene is full of memorable zingers and one-liners, particularly in the cross examination portion of the scene. In this part, the defense lawyer Drummond poses to Brady, "what does a sponge think?" Brady 's characteristic response is, "if the lord wishes a sponge to think, it thinks." Drummond brilliantly retorts, "do you think a man should have the same privilege as a sponge?" Drummond points to Cates, and exclaims: "This man wishes to be accorded the same privilege as a sponge. He
It is no wonder why professional movie reviewers resort to statements such as, "Mr. Kramer has wonderfully accomplished not only a graphic fleshing of his theme, but he also has got one of the most brilliant and engrossing displays of acting ever witnessed on the screen," to refer to the skilled acting in the movie (Crowther). The brilliant acting is proven throughout the movie. One of the most poignant scenes is at the culmination of oral arguments in the trial. Brady, the driven and defiant prosecutor, will be unconventionally called to the stand as a witness for the defense. He faces interrogation on his beliefs and those found in the bible, and has no choice but to admit that Bertram Cates has every right to think for himself and to teach evolution in his classroom. The actors brilliantly culminate the entirety of the social and religious turmoil of 1920 's America into this fiery and intolerant match of intellectual geniuses. Without the superb acting prowess demonstrated, the scene would not have left the audience glued to their seats. There are further examples of the way acting has enhanced the movie. The other engrossing parts of the movie are the scenes of out-of-courtroom friendship between Brady and Drummond. The men actually find a closer, more intimate understanding of each other throughout the proceedings. The ability of the actors to portray these two vital characters as both giants of intolerant passion and beacons of human kindness are pivotal to the allure of the movie. However, acting alone cannot make a movie that lacks dialogue and a good plot memorable. Fortunately, Inherit the Wind possesses both. Another superb element of Inherit the Wind is the stellar dialogue. Once again, the unforgettable third courtroom scene provides proof. This scene is full of memorable zingers and one-liners, particularly in the cross examination portion of the scene. In this part, the defense lawyer Drummond poses to Brady, "what does a sponge think?" Brady 's characteristic response is, "if the lord wishes a sponge to think, it thinks." Drummond brilliantly retorts, "do you think a man should have the same privilege as a sponge?" Drummond points to Cates, and exclaims: "This man wishes to be accorded the same privilege as a sponge. He