Inherit the Wind
Seen it?1960 | 128 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Just Mercy or Quiz Show, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 8 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1960: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Schoolteacher Bertram Cates is arrested for teaching his students Darwin's theory of evolution. The case receives national attention and one of the newspaper reporters, E.K. Hornbeck, arranges to bring in renowned defense attorney and atheist Henry Drummond to defend Cates. The prosecutor, Matthew Brady is a former presidential candidate, famous evangelist, and old adversary of Drummond.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 2 Berlin awards: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actor, Berlin International Film Festival: Best Feature Film Suitable for Young People. Also nominated for 4 Oscars, 2 Golden Globes and 2 BAFTAs. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 120K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stanley Kramer
- Spencer TracyHenry Drummond
- Fredric MarchMatthew Harrison Brady
- Gene KellyE.K. Hornbeck
- Dick YorkBertram T. Cates
- Donna AndersonRachel Brown
- Harry MorganJudge Mel
- Claude AkinsRev. Jeremiah Brown
- Elliott ReidProsecutor Tom Davenport
- Paul HartmanBailiff Mort Meeker
- Philip CoolidgeMayor Jason Carter