So tense, you can cut the atmosphere with a knife
I've been watching a number of Spencer Tracy films recently, having become friendly with someone who knew him. His warm yet laconic style brings something special to every part, and this great movie is no exception. Court dramas have a special appeal of their own and for some reason this reminds me of A Few Good Men - maybe because the action centres around the unexpected performance of a key witness. I especially like the informal style of the 1920s courthouse, with bias on view throughout the whole proceedings. Tracy retains his cool, helped by a brilliant cast who create one those memorable moments in cinema when Frederic March cracks under pressure. Watch for a great piece of work from Gene Kelly and Harry Morgan as the oh-so plausible judge. It's just over $7 on Amazon - much cheaper than a movie ticket.

So bad a film, it quickly found a home in our rubbish bin!
Total manipulation and bias throughout the entire movie.
The Producers of this movie must have thought that the people viewing this film, are as stupid as the characters they had portrayed as "Christians".
So far removed from any truth. The only thing this film is "based on" is the Director's own personal bias.
Just because "one" has the money to make a film, doesn't mean that "one" has the intelligence to do so, or even the right to insult the intelligence of others. Don't waste your time or your money on this film.

An Old film with a Modern Theme
This is an old film, but the subject is taken right out of todays headlines. You must see this film.

Watchable Fictionalization of Scopes Trial, Spencer Tracy Rocks.
An excellently directed and filmed fictionalized telling of the famous Scopes Monkey trial of 1925. The characters are based on the historical figures, and some of the narrative is closely tied in with the trial material, but this is a cinematic ver...(read more)sion of a play that deviates in many respects from the historical event.

This is one of Spencer Tracy's great performances, only seven years before his death. Tracy plays Henry Drummond who corresponds with the enlightened Clarence Darrow in the historical event. Some of his trial scenes are the best of the movie.

The character of Brady (corresponding to the real William Jennings Bryan) is a buffoonish caricature of the real figure. Boo. Hiss. The historical Bryan deserves better.

Anyway, this is still a fine movie and is recommended for fans of Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly (as the cynical Baltimore newspaper man), and those who are interested in movies dealing with the struggle of fact against myopic religiosity.

Good movie, bad message
The original "Inherit the Wind" movie with Spencer Tracy, Frederic March, and Gene Kelly is an interesting movie with wonderful acting and a plot which is relevant today. Unfortunately, it is a seriously biased and inaccurate portrayal of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial which took place in 1925. Theatrical liberties were exercised (to put it in its kindest context) in developing the plot to the extent that it is little more than a vicious anti-Christian, propagandistic hit piece. Christians are portrayed as ignorant, close-minded, and discourteous while the evolutionists are characterized as smart, curious, open-minded, and even heroic.
Virtually all of the scientific evidence that was used to support evolution in the actual trial has been refuted. Evolution is not supported by observation, experiments, or the fossil record. The great preponderance of scientific evidence does not support an earth that is billions of years old. Some examples: Decay in the earth's magnetic field; Too little helium in the earth's atmosphere; Supernova remnants; Moon recession; Not enough salt in the oceans; Short period comets; Star clusters; Carbon 14 dating; Polonium radio-halos; Polystrate fossils, etc.
By all means, watch the movie, you will enjoy it. But take its message with a grain of salt.