Inherit the Wind: Compelling, but not life-changing

~Tuesday~  Some time ago, perhaps more than a year ago now, I thought someone said that the movie Inherit the Wind was a movie that would “change your life.” Ever since then, it’s been on my “To-View” list.

Today, thanks to my friend Bob, I watched the 1960 version with Spencer Tracy as the protagonist.


I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, finding it at once engaging, compelling, and important. What I didn’t find it, however, was life-changing.

It makes me wonder if I’ve misremembered the name of the film that was described, now so long ago, as “life-changing.” Or, I wonder what kind of person could find this film life-changing. I mean, I think maybe 30 or 40 years ago it could have been life-changing to some people; but, this day and age, I’m not so sure.

In looking through the Wikipedia entry for “Scopes Trial,” after which this movie was loosely based of course, I did find this rather interesting and amusing fact: “Since 1987, the city of Dayton has staged a reenactment of the trial using the original transcripts, performing it in the same courtroom in which the trial took place. The annual event occurs during Dayton’s Scopes Trial festival with several performances showing over the weekend.”

Thanks, Bob, for the opportunity to see it for free!

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