Reviewed by Jason Lockard
In 1925 here was the Scopes "Monkey" Trial also knows as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, was an American legal case from July 10th to July 21st 1925 in which a high school teacher, John T. Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act, which had made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded school.
This was made into a play in 1955 a movie in 1960 starring Spencer Tracy. Than not one, not two, but three made-for-TV movies. In 1999 Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott starred in this remake. Now the good folks at Kino Lorber under the division KL Studio Classics are giving this TV film a Blu-ray release it so richly deserves.
When Bertram T. Cates, a teacher dares to introduces Darwin’s theory of evolution to his class. The small Bible Belt town won’t stand for it. The leaders of the community are fearful that the teaching with corrupt the minds of their children, the teacher locked up. Soon Henry Drummond (Lemmon) and Matthew Harrison Brady (Scott), two of the country’s most influential attorneys enter the town. On opposite side Drummond battles for the free rights, while Brady fights for God’s words.
The film is directed by Daniel Petrie, who is probably best known for directing the classic film "A Raisin in the Sun". Joining Lemmon and Scott in this film is a great supporting cast including; Lane Smith (Perry White in TV's Lois and Clark), Tom Everett Scott (That Thing You Do!), Kathryn Morris (TV’s Cold Case), John Cullum (1776), Piper Laurie (Carrie) and Beau Bridges (The Landlord).
Now while this TV version may not be as good as the original film, it still is an engaging piece of cinema. Beyond being a very good TV movie there is something else that makes this film historical. This is the final film appearance of the great George C. Scott and what a performance it was. He was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries. And this was Jack Lemmon's second to last film role. He was nominated for an Emmy Award and won a Golden Globe for this role.
The TV movie has been transferred in 1080p in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The audio soundtrack has two options a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and a 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The picture quality of this transfer is nothing sort of remarkable. It is crisp and clean and the audio is clear as a bell.
Now Kino Lorber have added on this Blu-ray a very insightful brand new audio commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry. Also included on this Blu-ray disc is trailers including; Inherit the Wind (1960), The Apartment, Mass Appeal, They Might Be Giants and The Day of the Dolphin.
If you are a fan of courtroom dramas Inherit the Wind would make a nice addition to anyone's collection. Head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray of Inherit the Wind receives...
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