Inherit the Wind

Play trailer

Inherit the Wind

1960

2h 7m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the 1920s, Tennessee schoolteacher Bertram Cates (Dick York) is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead of creationism. Drawing intense national attention in the media with writer E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly) reporting, two of the nation's leading lawyers go head-to-head: Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) for the prosecution, and Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) for the defense.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

08/13/2007

Spencer Tracy does his cuddly curmudgeon turn as Clarence Darrow; it's a lazy, vague performance, but its wit provides the only crack of light in the film's somber, gray overcast.

Go to Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

02/09/2006

Tolerably gripping in its old-fashioned way, thanks chiefly to old pro performances from Tracy and March as the rival lawyers and ideologists.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

04/04/2003

5/5

Extraordinarly vivid, rich, and wise about the core questions of how we know and who we are.

Go to Full Review

Gerri Major

Jet Magazine

01/17/2024

Inherit The Wind is a masterpiece.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/18/2021

3/4

Still relevant.

Go to Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

10/29/2020

4.5/5

Kramer's film speaks volumes about how fear and ignorance still drive attempts to cage liberal thought and how we must stand up against such human rights violations.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Alejandro E

@Alex970 Mar 20

One of the finest examples of courtroom drama. The age-old clash between science and religious fanaticism. From the very first minutes, you find yourself drawn into the story and its incredible performances, particularly that of Spencer Tracy.

See more

Mike N.

@artcarney55 Dec 27

Tracy’s next performance

See more

K M.

@KJMAC Jul 6

Terrific cast. An important film then and now.

See more

Grant H

@RT95929188 May 16

Especially in 2025, when the right to think critically is under challenge in the USA, this film resonates with righteous indignation. The questions it asks are as relevant now as they were in 1961. Tracy and March are excellent, and supported by an equally impressive cast. One of the greats!

See more

CodyZamboni

@CodyZamboni 05/08/2023

Movie was compelling all the way. I was surprised at the serio-comic tone, but it works. The movie is also sharp, insightful, intense, and fair minded, by showing the hypocrisy on both sides of the issue. All of this anchored by powerhouse performances by Tracy and March. And it was nice to see the famous BACK TO THE FUTURE clocktower square

See more

07/28/2022

What a great movie. As an atheist, I can't believe I've never heard of this movie till now. It's sad that almost 100 years later and people still don't accept evolution.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Stanley Kramer

Director

Spencer Tracy

Henry Drummond

Fredric March

Matthew Harrison Brady

Gene Kelly

E. K. Hornbeck

Florence Eldridge

Mrs. Sarah Brady

Dick York

Bertram T. Cates

Judgment at Nuremberg

93%

93%

Judgment at Nuremberg

Watchlist

Wild River

92%

84%

Wild River

Watchlist

Home From the Hill

90%

89%

Home From the Hill

Watchlist

From the Terrace

31%

58%

From the Terrace

Watchlist

Wild in the Country

50%

56%

Wild in the Country

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In the 1920s, Tennessee schoolteacher Bertram Cates (Dick York) is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead of creationism. Drawing intense national attention in the media with writer E. K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelly) reporting, two of the nation's leading lawyers go head-to-head: Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) for the prosecution, and Henry Drummond (Spencer Tracy) for the defense.

Director: Stanley Kramer
Producer: Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter: Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee, Nedrick Young, Harold Jacob Smith
Distributor: Fox, United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Lomitas Productions Inc.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1960, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2010
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Mono

Most Popular at Home Now