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IMDbPro

Inherit the Wind

  • TV Movie
  • 19881988
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
564
YOUR RATING
Inherit the Wind (1988)
DramaHistory
A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
564
YOUR RATING
    • David Greene
    • Jerome Lawrence(play)
    • Robert E. Lee(play)
    • John Gay(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Jason Robards
    • Darren McGavin
    • David Greene
    • Jerome Lawrence(play)
    • Robert E. Lee(play)
    • John Gay(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Jason Robards
    • Darren McGavin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 19User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys

    Photos7

    Inherit the Wind (1988)
    David Greene and Stevan Larner in Inherit the Wind (1988)
    Inherit the Wind (1988)
    Inherit the Wind (1988)
    Inherit the Wind (1988)
    Inherit the Wind (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kirk Douglas
    Kirk Douglas
    • Matthew Harrison Brady
    Jason Robards
    Jason Robards
    • Henry Drummond
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • E.K. Hornbeck
    John Harkins
    John Harkins
    • Judge
    Megan Follows
    Megan Follows
    • Rachel Brown
    Kyle Secor
    Kyle Secor
    • Bertram Cates
    Michael Ensign
    Michael Ensign
    • Reverend Brown
    Don Hood
    Don Hood
    • Mayor
    Jean Simmons
    Jean Simmons
    • Lucy Brady
    Josh Clark
    Josh Clark
    • Davenport
    Scotch Byerley
    • Meeker
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    Ebbe Roe Smith
    • Dunlap
    Douglas Dirkson
    Douglas Dirkson
    • Mr. Bannister
    Richard Lineback
    Richard Lineback
    • Sillers
    Tom McCleister
    Tom McCleister
    • Bailiff
    • (as Thom McCleister)
    Jason Marin
    • Howard
    Ron Hayden
    • Radio Newsman
    Richard Gilbert-Hill
    Richard Gilbert-Hill
    • Radio Newsman
    • (as Richard Gilbert Hill)
      • David Greene
      • Jerome Lawrence(play)
      • Robert E. Lee(play)
      • John Gay(teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real William Jennings Bryan ran for President three times: 1896, 1900, and 1908. Bryan was the first Presidential candidate to extensively barnstorm during a Presidential campaign in an era when most candidates did not. Although it's suggested that he might be contemplating a run in the next election, which would have been in 1928, it's highly unlikely. He did serve in public office twice - as Congressman from Nebraska from 1891 to 1895 and as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915, when he resigned over the country's policy toward Germany after the Lusitania was sunk. Despite his fundamentalist Christian beliefs, he was considered as Liberal and Progressive, supporting anti-Imperialist policies and trust-busting.
    • Goofs
      Actor Kyle Secor, as Bertram Cates, wears glasses of which the frames are historically incorrect. In the 1930s, the frames would be metal. Additionally, the handles of the frames would curl and hook around each ear instead of the modern-day version which only slightly hooks around the back of the ear. While the "Ful-Vue' shape of the lenses is correct, 1930s glasses did not have the nose bridge comfort pads of modern-day glasses. And while tortoiseshell frames were just beginning to come into style, it is doubtful that a young man during the Great Depression would be able to afford tortoiseshell frames on a teacher's salary and would opt for the gold metal frames which were more popular and readily available. In this film, Secor wears modern frames that appear to be tortoiseshell with modern-day handles.
    • Quotes

      Rachel Brown: I don't understand it, and what I do understand I don't like. I don't believe I came from apes and monkeys. You see, I really haven't thought very much. I was always afraid of what I might think. It seemed safer not to think at all. Maybe - maybe what Mr. Darwin wrote is bad. Bad or good I think ideas have to come out. I think they should be heard. I don't think they ought to pass laws against them.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)

    User reviews19

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Inherit the Wind and the Golden Age of Movie Trivia
    This made for TV film version of the famous Lawrence and Lee Broadway success is a very enjoyable presentation, and captures two splendid veteran actors doing exceptional work in the twilight of their careers. During the years since its original theatrical release, there have been two more made for TV film versions of Inherit the Wind (IW). Each of the four performances has champions and critics. All of them are interesting and worth seeing. None is dull and to be avoided. That in itself is rather remarkable. The four versions are:

    (1) 1960 theatrical film starring Fredric March and Spencer Tracy.

    (2) 1965 made for TV film starring Ed Begley and Melvyn Douglas.

    (3) 1988 made for TV film starring Kirk Douglas and Jason Robards.

    (4) 1999 made for TV film starring George C. Scott and Jack Lemmon.

    Something very interesting happens when these four versions are considered as one body of work. Let me explain. For simplicity, I'll refer to each version by its indicated number.

    Item: Three of the eight actors who played leading roles in the four versions of IW also played the identical leading roles in either a theatrical or TV film version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They are Fredric March (1), Spencer Tracy (1) and Kirk Douglas (3).

    Item: Two actors who had principal roles in one version of IW also appeared in Days of Wine and Roses. The man starred in the theatrical movie version, and the woman originated the female leading role in the earlier TV version. They are Jack Lemmon (4) and Piper Laurie (4).

    Item: Two actors who had principal roles in one version of IW also appeared as co-stars in the film Spartacus. They are Kirk Douglas (3) and Jean Simmons (3).

    Item: Two actors who had principal roles in one version of IW also appeared as co-stars in the film The Hustler. They are George C. Scott (4) and Piper Laurie (4).

    Item: Two actors who had principal roles in two different versions of IW also appeared as co-stars in the film The Hustler. They are George C. Scott (4) and Murray Hamilton (2).

    Coincidence? Of course. But interesting? You bet!
    helpful•2
    0
    • malvernp
    • Aug 14, 2020

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 20, 1988 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Jacksonville, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Vincent Pictures
      • David Greene Productions
      • Robert Papazian Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 36 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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