Inherit the Wind (1960): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Inherit the Wind is a 1960 biographical drama directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Dick York, Gene Kelly and Spencer Tracy. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes. It was nominated for 3 Oscars. Critics gave it 75 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Stanley Kramer
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- United Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Inherit the Wind About?
The premise of Inherit the Wind without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1925 Tennessee, a community is thrown into turmoil when a teacher is put on trial for teaching evolution. The case draws national attention, pitting the respected lawyer Henry Drummond against the fervent evangelist Matthew Harrison Brady. Drummond defends the teacher, challenging the town’s deeply held beliefs and sparking a heated debate about the balance between faith, reason, and the freedom to learn. The courtroom battle explores the complexities of scientific inquiry and the power of individual conviction.
Inherit the Wind Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- religion versus science
- evolution
- scopes monkey trial
- courtroom drama
- teacher
- lawyer
- religious zealot
- based on play
- father daughter relationship
- law
- science
- legal drama
+38 more Show fewer
- title based on the bible
- judicial system
- preacher
- court
- judge
- courtroom
- heart attack
- arrest
- agnostic
- reference to charles darwin
- civil rights
- evangelical christianity
- battle hymn of the republic
- religion
- title spoken by character
- voir dire
- character appears in newspaper
- bible quote
- obscurantism
- religious fanatic
- zealotry
- book of genesis
- theory of evolution
- religious prejudice
- clarence darrow character
- william jennings bryan character
- media frenzy
- crotchety old man
- producer director
- newspaperman
- courtroom outburst
- ethics
- jail prisoner
- jury trial
- biology teacher
- real life husband and wife play husband and wife
- welcome parade
- bible thumper
Inherit the Wind Cast
Dick York leads the cast, with Gene Kelly and Spencer Tracy. Directed by Stanley Kramer; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Stanley Kramer
Also Starring in Inherit the Wind
· 6 moreMore from Stanley Kramer
More films directed by Stanley Kramer, best-rated first: Judgment at Nuremberg, The Defiant Ones, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Inherit the Wind Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Inherit the Wind 75 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 7.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 77% User score
See on TMDB
Inherit the Wind Plot Summary
What happens in Inherit the Wind from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Based on the significant and historically relevant Scopes Monkey trial of 1925, this compelling drama revolves around a Tennessee schoolteacher named Bertram Cates, portrayed by the talented Dick York, who finds himself in a whirlwind of controversy after being arrested for teaching Darwin’s revolutionary theory of evolution to his students. As the case ignites national debate and media frenzy, it captures the attention of the sharp-witted newspaper reporter, E.K. Hornbeck, brought to life by the charismatic Gene Kelly. He takes the initiative to enlist the help of the acclaimed defense attorney and avowed atheist, Henry Drummond, masterfully played by Spencer Tracy, to champion Cates’s cause.
Full summary
The whole story of Inherit the Wind, scene by scene
Inherit the Wind Awards & Nominations
Inherit the Wind was nominated for 3 Oscars. The 7 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1961.
7 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1961 3 nominations- Nominated Actor – Spencer Tracy
- Nominated Cinematography (Black-and-White)
- Nominated Film Editing
-
BAFTA 1961 2 nominations- Nominated Best Film
- Nominated Best Foreign Actor – Fredric March and Spencer Tracy
-
Golden Globes 1961 2 nominations- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actor) – Spencer Tracy
Inherit the Wind Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 3 trailers and 1 featurette.
- Trailer Inherit the Wind (1960) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Featurette Brian Trenchard-Smith on Inherit The Wind
How Well Do You Know Inherit the Wind?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character that stands trial for teaching evolution?
Cars in Inherit the Wind
3 cars on screen, including the unknown and the unknown.
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unknown Minor role -
unknown Minor role -
unknown Background role
Inherit the Wind Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Le procès de singe” and “Heredarás el viento”.
- Also known as
-
- Le procès de singe
- Heredarás el viento
- O Vento Será Tua Herança
- Le souffle de la haine
- Kdo seje vítr
- Solen stod stille
- La herencia del viento
- Joka tuuleen kylvää
- Klironomiste ton anemo
- Wer den Wind sät
- Kto Sieje Wiatr
- ...e l'uomo creò Satana
+14 more Show fewer
- O Vento será a tua Herança
- Procès de singe
- Κληρονομήστε τον Ανεμο
- משפט הקופים
- 风的传人
- Rüzgârın Mirası
- Aki szelet vet
- Пожнешь бурю
- Procesul maimuțelor
- 신들의 법정
- 風の遺産
- L’herència del vent
- Vad vinden sår
- Пожнеш бурю
Seen Inherit the Wind?
Movies Like Inherit the Wind
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Inherit the Wind, Inherit the Wind and The Great Debaters.
Inherit the Wind FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Inherit the Wind, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Inherit the Wind?
Inherit the Wind runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Inherit the Wind released?
Inherit the Wind was released on July 21, 1960.
Who directed Inherit the Wind?
Inherit the Wind was directed by Stanley Kramer.
More films by Stanley Kramer Who is in the cast of Inherit the Wind?
Inherit the Wind stars Dick York, Gene Kelly and Spencer Tracy, among 10 credited actors.
How is Inherit the Wind rated?
Inherit the Wind has 75 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.
Was Inherit the Wind nominated for any awards?
Inherit the Wind received 7 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does Inherit the Wind have a post-credit scene?
No. Inherit the Wind has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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