Review of Inherit the Wind (1960) by John W — 30 Apr 2008

This movie is well-acted and competently directed, but if you're looking for a proper intellectual argument about faith and science conveyed cinematically, go elsewhere. The case against Bertram Cates, since it rests on his committing a direct violation of state law, was decided from the start.

All the prosecution and defense attorneys do in the court room is shout past each other. It is never clear what exactly they are arguing, although it is clear that much bigger issues are at stake than a violation of state law.

But that is not the point of the movie. The point emerges with a satisfying gradualness as each of the key players in this drama are shown to be no more than frail, fallible human beings. Their arguments are unclear because they themselves do not fully understand them.

The issues are confused because the people themselves are confused. The movie introduces certain stereotypes, only to demolish them with the real humanity of the characters they are meant to embody. The cocksure, arrogant fundamentalist orator is in reality an attention-starved man-child who can't stand it when other people laugh at him.

The fire-and-brimstone preacher doesn't know how to love his own daughter. The bitter agnostic has a surprising core of sentimentality. The brave young school teacher hardly gets a word in edgewise: the trial is not enough about him.

And the flippant, cynical newsman is deeply lonely, empty inside. This is the movie's true greatness. For a good intellectual discussion of the issues involved it is far better to read the many books that have been written about this trial.