Inherit the Wind

Starring:Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York, Donna Anderson, Harry Morgan, Claude Akins, Elliott Reid, Paul Hartman, Philip Coolidge, Jimmy Boyd, Noah Beery Jr., Norman Fell, Gordon Polk, Hope Summers, Ray Teal, Renee Godfrey, Florence Eldridge, Lester Dorr, Will Wright
Director: Stanley Kramer
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

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Two of the juiciest roles in the American theater fall at the feet of Spencer Tracy and Fredric March, and both men make a meal of it. Inherit the Wind, based on the play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is a slightly fictionalized account of the Scopes Monkey Trial, that galvanizing legal drama of the 1920s. When a young Tennessee teacher is prosecuted for teaching the theory of evolution in a public school, he receives unwanted public attention as well as the legal advice of a giant. Tracy plays the role based on Clarence Darrow, the eloquent defense attorney, and March storms his way through a part based on Williams Jennings Bryan, the failed presidential candidate (and famed orator) who prosecuted the case. Gene Kelly plays a character based on the acid-penned H.L. Mencken, reporting on the trial and caustically commenting on the absurdity of the human animal. Stanley (Judgment at Nuremberg) Kramer's direction is not especially subtle, but the verbal fireworks unleashed during the trial sequences are still stirring. Even the different styles of the actors are intriguing: March is all mannerism and false padding around the belly, while Tracy does his patented naturalistic grumbling. It would be nice if this story were a quaint period piece, but its issues and arguments keep reemerging in the headlines with each new generation. --Robert Horton

Description

Two-time Best Actor OscarÂ(r) winners* Spencer Tracy and Fredric March go toe-to-toe in this thrilling re-creation of the most titanic courtroom battle of the century. Garnering four Academy AwardÂ(r) nominations**, including Best Actor (Tracy), and featuring Gene Kelly in a rare, critically-acclaimed dramatic role, Inherit the Wind is powerful, provocative cinema and "a heaping measure of entertainment" (The Hollywood Reporter)! The controversial subject of evolution versus creation causes two polar opposites to engage in one explosive battle of beliefs. Attorney Clarence Darrow (Tracy) faces off against fundamentalist leader William Jennings Bryan (March) in a small Tennessee town where a teacher has been brought to trial for teaching Darwinism. Let the trial begin...and watch the sparks fly!

Customer Reviews:

Inherit the Wind.......2007-06-27

Stanley Kramer's spellbinding film features a deft performance by Tracy as the rumpled, deceptively plain-spoken Drummond (modeled on Clarence Darrow), matched by March's larger than life, virtuoso turn as Matthew Brady (based on William Jennings Bryan). Just sit back, pretend you're sitting in that humid courtroom, and watch two old pros at work. You'll re-live history. Also look for Gene Kelly in one of his only serious, non-dancing roles as a cynical journalist based on H.L. Mencken.

Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made.......2007-05-21

Inherit the Wind is the broad fictional adaptation of the real-life Scopes Monkey Trial in which John Scopes, a football coach who taught evolution in a high school classroom, was put on trial and the city of Dayton, Tennessee was put on the map... and not in a particularly pleasing light.

Spencer Tracy and Frederic March turn out tremendously powerful performances as opposing lawyers in the trial, while Gene Kelly stands aloofly by as a flippant reporter for the Boston Globe.

What is especially striking about Inherit the Wind is the relevance of the movie (almost 50 years later) to the current political atmosphere). In the 20's the law said that evolution couldn't be taught, and now it's creationism that can't be taught. As Tracy's Henry Drummond says in the film, "Well, that's evolution for you."

The acting throughout the film is outstanding and it hardly feels like a two hour film, particularly in black and white. The entire film builds momentum until it all comes to a head at the very end with the showdown between Drummond (Tracy) and Brady (March). This is not a film to be missed if you're at all interested in history (although it's a loose adaptation) and the current intelligent design debate.

Included on the disc is the original trailer for the film, which features a few clips, director Stanley Kramer discussing the film, and lists awards that it had won in festivals. It's interesting to see a trailer that old and compare it to our current ones.

A Real Zinger.......2007-03-30

Stanley Kramer's "Inherit the Wind" seems a bit dated with Ernest Laszlo's Oscar-nominated black & white cinematography. Frederick March plays Matthew Harrison Brady that is loosely based on William Jennings Bryant. March won two Oscars, one for "Dr Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" (1931) and another for "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). While he won the Silver Bear Best Acting Award for "Inherit the Wind" from the Berlin International Film Festival, this was not among his 5 Oscar nominations. His tirades are so over-the-top that he seems almost to act in a different universe from Spencer Tracy's more modern realism.

Stanley Kramer used bravado to assemble his cast. He told Tracy that he had Frederick March & Gene Kelly signed to the picture, then approached Kelly saying he had Tracy & March signed. Eventually, all did come on board, but it was major salesmanship on Kramer's part that assembled the cast. Kramer had three Oscar nominations as Best Director for "The Defiant Ones" (1958), "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961) & "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967), but never won other than an honorary award. Pickets went up at movie theatres protesting the "anti-religious" slant of this picture. Kramer's known liberal platform rings loud & clear in this film, made in the year that John F. Kennedy was elected president.

Spencer Tracy will be remembered as one of film's best actors from its first century as a medium. He had an amazing pair of back-to-back awards for Best Actor Oscars for "Captain's Courageous" (1937) & "Boys Town" (1938). "Inherit the Wind" was among his 9 Oscar nominations, although Burt Lancaster won that year for "Elmer Gantry." Based on Clarence Darrow, Tracy plays Henry Drummond as a cantankerous geezer, but with enough reserve to make the riveting moments real zingers. March, on the other hand, gets on a high note and seems to stay there, making him seem -- as Kramer probably intended -- like a buffoon.

Dick York will be remembered as Darren Stevens on the "Bewitched" TV series. He had been in "My Sister Eileen" and had even sustained a back injury while shooting "They Came to Cordura" in 1959 that would eventually cause him to leave the "Bewitched" series. "Inherit the Wind" is probably his most memorable dramatic role. John Scopes has been changed to Bertram Cates. York's youthful looks seem the right fit for a teacher promoting Darwin's theory of evolution. York would pass away from emphysema 32 years later; but this is probably his best work on film.

Donna Anderson plays Bertram's fiancee. She'd been in Kramer's previous film "On the Beach" (1959) about survivors of a nuclear holocaust. This was the 2nd of the 5 films she would make. She seems pretty confused about the issue of evolution, but love firmly persuades her to stand by her man.

Other performances that shine are Henry Morgan that we also know from the TV shows "M.A.S.H." & "Dragnet." Florence Eldridge, who in real life was Mrs. Frederick March, plays his wife here while having very sympathetic eyes for Spencer Tracy. Claude Aikens plays the staunch Rev. Jeremiah Brown. And TV's "3's Company" regular Norman Fell has a cameo as a radio announcer. The film did not win any Oscars, although it was nominated for Best Editing & Best Adapted Screenplay.

The issues in the film are still relevant today. I didn't particularly find the film "anti-religious" as much as it seemed opposed to fanaticism & intolerance. Science plays a vital role in debunking religion of much of its superstition, but it does not negate the existence of God as Creator. Evolution could be as well interpreted as part of the Divine Technique rather than in opposition to religion. The performances in the film drew me into the picture. I found it entertaining as it nears 50 years since it was made. Enjoy!

Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!.......2007-03-16

This is a movie about the dispute between creationism and evolution and the legal ramifications of this moral delima (teaching evolution in a town that make evangelicals look like hippies). Look for Spencer Tracy (Drummond), Frederick March (Brady), Harry Morgan as the Judge, and Gene Kelly in a rare dramatic role as a trial reporter! Also for an interesting side note, this was the first in-flight movie EVER!!! Based on a play.

Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance".......2007-03-08

This is a 1960's marvel. The screen writers, actors and actresses alike do a phenomenal job making the Tennessee vs. John Scopes trial come to life. The movie has arguably more depth and reach than perhaps the actual court case had. Issues of Evolution and Creationism (while still present) take a back seat as Spencer Tracy (Counselor Drummond) argues for man's progress and right to think while not completely rejecting spirituality.
This movie will never be in danger of becoming irrelevant as it confronts issues of fanaticism, ignorance, bigotry, and group-think. In my opinion it's the best version of the story out there, play, movie re-make or otherwise. It's one of my all time favorites.

THE MOUNTAIN with Spencer Tracy (Import Edition)(Adventure)

Average customer rating:

The Mountain - A Timeless Film Made in 1956

THE MOUNTAIN with Spencer Tracy (Import Edition)(Adventure)

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Binding: DVD

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Product Description

High quality DVD manufactured in South Korea. Clear full screen color image. NTSC all region format. DVD can be played on any North American DVD player. Original English dialog with optional Korean subtitles which can be easily turned off. On screen menus are in English and are easy to use. While this movie may not have production values equal to that of recent mountaineering movies it offers a wonderful example of Spencer Tracy's acting. Tracy fans will not be disappointed. The following review appeared for the VHS version: "Mountain Madness, December 19, 2002 Reviewer: C. A. Luster "therooksnook" (Burke, VA USA) If you enjoy action movies that slowly build to an exciting climax you will enjoy this one. Spencer Tracy as the older brother was a bit old to play the older brother to Robert Wagner but I guess they felt the younger brother needed to be much younger and irresponsible. As for Tracy's feat of strength, people in stressful situations get the adrenaline flowing and can do some incredible things. You have to be strong to endure that type of climbing. This movie takes place on a mountain where the two brothers go to see if there are survivors to a plane crash. Tracy's intentions are pure of heart while Wagner's are of looting. The turmoil between the two and the treacherous mountain terrain make it a movie that will draw you into this well made drama."

Customer Reviews:

The Mountain - A Timeless Film Made in 1956.......2006-10-14

Without a doubt "The Mountain" made in 1956 is my all-time favorite film, mainly because of Spencer Tracy the all-time greatest Hollywood actor. There are many special qualities that this movie possesses which might not be appreciated after the first viewing. While watching notice that before any intros are displayed, the opening scene wastes little time showing a plane in distress which then crashes, with great visual and audio effects, on top of a mountain. The two main characters (Spencer Tracy as "Zachary Teller" and Robert Wagner as "Christopher Teller") are brothers that for reasons of good vs. evil decide to climb the mountain to reach the wreck of the crashed airliner. This becomes the basis of a fabulous and unusual plot packed with emotion, adventure and spiritual meaning. Zachary wants to help Chris climb due to the danger and the love for his brother but Chris wants to climb to take the dead passenger's possessions and escape his life as a simple farm hand. One cannot help but identify with Zachary's struggle to convince Chris that what he is doing is wrong as indicated by the following line stated before the climb began: "You want me to take you up to the top of the mountain in the sight of God so that you can pick the pockets of dead people? Isn't there anything inside of you that tells you its wrong?" Chris then responds "I'd do worse than that to get out of here", thereby setting the stage for a "clash of wills". For those who have not seen the film I will not say how it ends as I wish that all who read this review who have not seen it can one day give it a look. It has beautiful scenery of the French Alps and the countryside as well. Enjoy and God bless.

Average customer rating:

Inherit the Wind
Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made
A Real Zinger
Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!
Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance"

Inherit the Wind [Region 2]
Starring: Spencer Tracy , Fredric March , Gene Kelly , Dick York , and Donna Anderson
Director: Stanley Kramer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0001P1BQ6

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Inherit the Wind.......2007-06-27

Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made.......2007-05-21

A Real Zinger.......2007-03-30

Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!.......2007-03-16

Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance".......2007-03-08

Average customer rating:

Inherit the Wind
Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made
A Real Zinger
Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!
Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance"

Inherit the Wind (Cliffs Notes Version)
Starring: Claude Akins , Donna Anderson , Jr. Noah Beery , Jimmy Boyd , and Philip Coolidge
Director: Stanley Kramer
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

12 Angry Men
Judgment at Nuremberg
To Kill a Mockingbird (Universal Legacy Series)
Witness For the Prosecution
The Grapes of Wrath

ASIN: B000PMFS3M
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Customer Reviews:

Inherit the Wind.......2007-06-27

Strangely, this film may be more relevant today than when it was made.......2007-05-21

A Real Zinger.......2007-03-30

Inherit the Wind (1960) 47+ years and still relevent!!!.......2007-03-16

Is NOT "all glitter and glamour but no substance".......2007-03-08

Charlie Rose with Charles Durning; Mark Stevens, Mark Rosenthal & Frank Stella; Joseph Brodsky; Mark Strand; (March 19, 1996)

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Charlie Rose with Charles Durning; Mark Stevens, Mark Rosenthal & Frank Stella; Joseph Brodsky; Mark Strand; (March 19, 1996)

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Binding: DVD

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Description

First, actor Charles Durning has appeared in over 60 films, including The Sting, Dog Day Afternoon, Tootsie, and most recently as Holly Hunter's father in Home for the Holidays. Durning returns to the New York stage in Inherit the Wind, the 1955 classic based on the 1925 Scopes monkey trial. Then, a conversation about a new exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum, Abstraction in the 20th Century: Total Rift, Freedom, Discipline. Joining Charlie are Mark Rosenthal, the curator of the exhibit; New York magazine art critic Mark Stevens, and the artist Frank Stella. Finally, Joseph Brodsky has been called the greatest Russian poet of his era. In the early 1970s, he came to America, where he was eventually named Poet Laureate of the United States. Tonight, a remembrance of Brodsky with Anthony Hect, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former Library of Congress poetry consultant, Mark Strand, a poet and Brodsky's immediate predecessor as Poet Laureate of the United States, and Toma Venclova, a Lithuanian poet and a professor at Yale.

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