Inherit The Wind Essay

Inherit the Wind is a film directed in 1960 by Stanley Kramer, based on the real-life 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial. The legal case saw high school teacher John T. Scopes prosecuted for teaching the Charles Darwin’s theory in a Tennessee public school, which challenged the state law that required the teaching of creationism. By depicting The Scopes Trial, the film serves as a story revealing a hidden meaning. Inherit the Wind was released during the McCarthy era, a time marked by fear, restriction, and thought control. I find the film relevant, as it challenges its viewer’s conformity and courage to defend a free thought in any era. The trial of Bertram Cates, a high school teacher who was arrested for teaching evolution against state law, is

The movie also includes local personalities like Rachel Brown, Cates’ love interest who is caught between her loyalty to her father and her love for Cates, and journalist E.K. Hornbeck symbolizes the media’s influence on public opinion. As Drummond and Brady engage in a heated, public argument over the nature of truth, science, and faith, the trial itself turns into a battlefield for these opposing beliefs. The main battle of the movie takes place against a backdrop of social tensions, with the argument over evolution acting as an example for more general concerns about intellectual freedom, social advancement, and the risks of senseless compliance. As the trial progresses, a discussion between science and religion takes place in the courtroom. Important incidents include Brady’s passionate language intended to uphold the town’s religious convictions and Drummond’s numerous attempts to call expert witnesses on evolution, which are constantly denied by the

Inherit the Wind has been hailed by critics for performances and capacity to go beyond its historical context to tackle more general societal issues. According to Roger Ebert, the movie is “an urgent plea for reason and the freedom to think,” (Ebert). He said that the film’s emotional and intellectual weight came from Spencer Tracy’s portrayal of Henry Drummond, calling Tracy “a quiet storm of reason and humanity in the face of hysteria” (Ebert). Ebert also valued how the movie sparked discussions on topics other than the Scopes Trial, especially the continuous struggle between tradition and progress. In my opinion, decades after its release, Inherit the Wind is still a powerful and thought-provoking movie. Spencer Tracy's strong performances as Henry Drummond provided depth to the ideological conflict and made the courtroom drama compelling. The conversation is incisive and captivating, especially during the courtroom sessions, which helps viewers understand difficult concepts. Some parts of the movie, nevertheless, bothered