Inherit the Wind (1960)

Inherit the Wind is a dramatization of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 when a biology teacher was arrested and challenged a law passed by the Tennessee State legislature making it a crime to teach anything other than the account of creation as set down in the Book of Genesis.
Although few actual facts from the trial are used in the film, the stifling, courtroom drama itself, re-creates the volatile life, times and mood of the era. Bringing the sensational atmosphere to life are a treasury of excellent actors which offer some of the finest moments in cinematic history. Henry Drummond the defense attorney is superbly played by Spenser Tracy. His eloquent and formidable adversary is none other than Fredric March who plays, religiously infallible Matthew Harrison Brady.Their clash on screen is well worth seeing. So is Gene Kelly as Hornbeck/Mencken - a man in love with the language ("Ah, Heavenly Hillborough" he intones about the play's location), and with his anti-democratic cynicism that turns off Tracy at the end. Dick York as Cates/Scopes is properly stoic until he prevents Tracy from putting his girlfriend through a cross-examination after March tears her apart on the stand. Florence Eldritch (as Mrs. Brady) gives a fine performance as his most loyal and loving supporter (and one whose fears for him come true). Harry Morgan as the Judge, Claude Atkins as a rabid fundamentalist minister, and Noah Beery Jr. as a farmer who helps Tracy out for personal reasons are all fine too.
Overall, I thought that Inherit the Wind is a very valuable film. It is not the most entertaining film for modern audiences but if you enjoy classic acting and a classic plot this film is definitely for you.This trial raised for the first time in people's mind the question of academic freedom of speech and may do the same for modern viewers facing similar problems with the educational system that conflict with their own personal beliefs.
4/5