Review of Inherit the Wind (1960) by Nikolai E — 20 Feb 2008
The really amazing thing about this film isn't the importance of the trial, but the way in which what always was and inevitably becomes a minor letter-of-the-law issue is turned into a chaotic whirlwind of punditry and undirected speechmaking by both sides of the debate who want to use the courtroom as a soapbox, and the town that's only too happy to oblige them.
The film's main flaw is that it assumes the audience sides with Tracey, so the actual debate doesn't go too deep. That's irrelevant, however, when the point of the film is that law and spirituality are not so easily combined.
And who says Tracey and March are the only actors that matter? In my opinion, Gene Kelly steals the whole show in a crucial role.
This review of Inherit the Wind (1960) was written by Nikolai E on 20 Feb 2008.
Inherit the Wind has generally received very positive reviews.
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