Inherit the Wind

Main Plot

Inherit the Wind, directed by Stanley Kramer, is a dramatic film that delves into a controversial courtroom battle over the teaching of evolution in schools, reflecting the historical Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. The story is set in a small Southern town where a young schoolteacher, Bertram Cates, is arrested for teaching Darwin’s theories of evolution, challenging the state's law that mandates the teaching of creationism. The trial attracts significant attention, drawing two powerhouse lawyers to the town. Matthew Harrison Brady, a renowned prosecutor and three-time presidential candidate, represents the prosecution, aiming to defend Biblical teachings and the existing law. In contrast, Henry Drummond, a highly respected and agnostic defense attorney, represents Cates, advocating for intellectual freedom and the right to think. As the trial progresses, it becomes a profound and explosive debate on science versus religion, testing the boundaries of freedom of thought and speech, and challenging the prejudices of the time. The film explores themes of belief, public perception, and the clash between fundamentalism and progress.

Characters

• Spencer Tracy plays Henry Drummond, a defense attorney challenging a Tennessee law against teaching evolution in the famous Scopes "Monkey" Trial.
• Fredric March plays Matthew Harrison Brady, a prosecutor in a trial about a teacher accused of teaching evolution, representing traditional values and religious beliefs.
• Gene Kelly plays E.K. Hornbeck, a cynical newspaper columnist who provides commentary on the trial and represents the viewpoint of the urban elite and intellectual skepticism.

Ending Explained

In the climactic conclusion of Stanley Kramer's "Inherit the Wind," the courtroom drama reaches its peak following intense legal battles over the right to teach evolution in schools, which mirrors the historical Scopes Monkey Trial. The film ends with the verdict where Bertram Cates, the young teacher on trial for teaching Darwin’s theories, is found guilty. However, the fine imposed is minimal, suggesting a symbolic victory rather than a punitive measure. The real resolution unfolds in the interactions between the two lawyer characters, Henry Drummond (representing Cates) and Matthew Harrison Brady. Despite their fierce ideological battles, there's a moment of complex reflection when Drummond, after the trial, picks up a copy of Darwin’s "On the Origin of Species" and the Bible, balancing them thoughtfully in his hands. This act symbolizes the film’s central message about the possibility of coexistence between scientific understanding and religious belief. The film concludes on a note that emphasizes thought, individuality, and the importance of questioning, rather than outright dismissing differing viewpoints. Drummond’s gesture of weighing both books equally suggests a respect for diverse perspectives, underscoring the film's advocacy for intellectual freedom and the value of open debate in society.