Inherit the Wind Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Inherit the Wind" delivers an impressive and stable viewing experience with its AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The elements used for this transfer are in excellent condition, ensuring a clean and stable image throughout. Ernest Laszlo's Academy Award-nominated cinematography shines through, especially given the film's confined settings. The gray scale is meticulously modulated, presenting deep and effective blacks, while the natural and organic appearance of the film’s grain adds to its authenticity. Importantly, there are no signs of digital tampering detracting from the overall quality.

Visually, "Inherit the Wind" has never looked better, a notable achievement for a film over fifty years old. The movie retains its original grain structure, enhancing its authenticity, while the shades of black and white remain solid and crisp. Minor blemishes from the original print do appear occasionally but are minimal and do not impact the viewer's enjoyment or the overall excellent quality of the transfer. Specific scenes, such as the heated courtroom moments, reveal remarkable clarity — you can almost feel the intensity as beads of sweat on the actors' faces appear as clear as condensation on a glass of ice water. This attention to detail helps elevate the film's visuals to new heights, making it a benchmark for how black-and-white movies should be rendered on modern media.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Inherit the Wind" utilizes a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track that effectively supports the film's dialogue-heavy nature. The dialogue is delivered cleanly and clearly, ensuring that viewers can easily follow the engaging verbal exchanges central to the movie. Ernest Gold's score is also presented with commendable clarity, contributing to the overall auditory experience. While the fidelity of the audio is adequate, it is worth noting that the dynamic range remains somewhat narrow.

Presented in its original monophonic soundtrack using DTS-HD Master Audio encoding, the sound remains crisp and clear, free from any audible hiss or distortion. The absence of deep bass is noticeable, but this does not detract from the forceful mid-range presence of the characters' voices, essential for this film. Audiophiles with advanced Dolby Atmos capable receivers will find this particular presentation less demanding, but still satisfying. Additionally, an audio option for an isolated music and effects track is included, along with subtitles for the hard of hearing. This specialized feature is a valuable addition, common on Twilight Time Blu-rays, and something that would greatly benefit wider adoption in the industry.

The extras on the "Inherit the Wind" Blu-ray offer an engaging mix of features, with noteworthy inclusions and well-presented content. The Isolated Music and Effects Track, in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, stands out for audiophiles looking to appreciate the film's aural details independently. The Original Theatrical Trailer is presented in standard definition and features an introduction by director Stanley Kramer, providing a nostalgic view with extended clips from the film's climax. Supplementary material includes a high-definition MGM 90th Anniversary trailer in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, although inconsistencies in digital artifacts were noted on occasion. Complementing these features is an illustrated booklet authored by historian Julie Kirgo, rich with an essay about the film and accompanied by movie stills and a poster reproduction. Finally, a Twilight Time Catalogue offers a curated series of still pictures showcasing the distributor’s product lineup.

Extras included in this disc:

• Isolated Music and Effects Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: Director introduction and film highlights.
• MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer: High-definition promotional feature.
• Illustrated Booklet: Essay by Julie Kirgo, movie stills, and poster reproduction.
• Twilight Time Catalogue: Visual product listing by release year.

"Inherit the Wind," based on Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's play, is a compelling depiction of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, where a teacher was prosecuted for teaching Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Despite the historical liberties taken, the film remains a powerful commentary on anti-intellectualism and freedom of thought. Spencer Tracy's portrayal of defense attorney Henry Drummond and Fredric March's role as prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady (a thinly veiled William Jennings Bryan) are captivating, while Gene Kelly provides sharp wit as the cynical newsman E.K. Hornbeck. The courtroom drama is skillfully heightened by director Stanley Kramer's use of grandiose, theatrical dialogue and character interactions, ensuring the film's brisk pace despite its heavy dialogue.

The film's deliberate anachronisms, particularly its reference to the McCarthy era, emphasize enduring societal conflicts over science and belief systems. Dick York shines as Bertram Cates, a fictionalized version of John Scopes, facing legal persecution for his progressive teachings. Henry Morgan’s role as the strategically impeditive judge and Claude Akins’ fiery preacher add depth to this tense narrative. Kramer's direction, though theatrical with static tableaux and broader symbolism, ensures that the intellectual sparring between Drummond and Brady remains engaging and thought-provoking. While the film sometimes drifts into melodrama, such as with its climax involving a major character's dramatic demise, it cleverly suggests a reconciliation between Darwinian theory and religious belief.

For a black-and-white film from Hollywood's Golden Age, "Inherit the Wind" provocatively confronts controversial themes of creationism versus evolution and McCarthyism with staggering relevance. The ensemble cast delivers performances that are grand but avoid caricature, maintaining the intensity and rousing spirit of the original play. Kramer's refusal to simplify complex social issues makes this courtroom drama not only timeless but also strikingly immediate. With its sharp dialogue and potent subtext about intellectual freedom, "Inherit the Wind" remains a quintessential piece of American cinema.

"Inherit the Wind" Blu-ray maintains its relevance and cinematic impact, featuring stellar performances by Spencer Tracy, Frederic March, and Gene Kelly. The film, set against the backdrop of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, expertly marries compelling legal drama with a thought-provoking exploration of intellectual freedom versus social conformity. Screen Archives' transfer delivers impressive technical quality, ensuring that this seminal work is preserved in high definition. The film's sharp cinematography and evocative score benefit from the meticulous restoration, immersing viewers in its gripping courtroom battles and philosophical debates.

Despite the absence of supplemental materials, the Blu-ray presentation itself stands out due to its pristine visual and auditory fidelity. With an elegant balance of contrast and clarity, the black-and-white visuals convey the period and atmosphere masterfully. Dialogue is crisp and clear, allowing the actors' nuanced performances to shine through without distraction. For cinephiles and enthusiasts of courtroom dramas, this limited-release Blu-ray offers an indispensable addition to any collection.

In conclusion, "Inherit the Wind" is a film about ideas, but it's an unusually visceral experience, elevated by uniformly superb performances by (Oscar-nominated) Spencer Tracy, Frederic March, and a surprisingly effective Gene Kelly in a somewhat unusual role for the erstwhile hoofer. Colorful if somewhat disturbing considering many Americans' penchant for believing we're an open-minded nation for the most part, the film remains a really compelling entertainment that deals with its surface issue brilliantly while also pointing toward an underlying thesis that continues to be at least as relevant today as it was in Scopes' time or indeed in 1960 when the film debuted. Technical merits are very strong, and even without much in the way of supplements, "Inherit the Wind" comes highly recommended.