Screen legends Jack Lemmon (The Apartment) and George C. Scott (Hardcore) electrify the screen in this stunning remake of the most dazzling courtroom drama of all time. When a courageous schoolteacher dares to introduce his students to Darwin’s theory of evolution, his small Bible Belt town won’t stand for it. Fearing that this “blasphemy” will poison the minds of their children, the devout townspeople lock the teacher behind bars. Enter Henry Drummond (Lemmon) and Matthew Harrison Brady (Scott), two of the country’s most influential attorneys. Like crusaders on a mission, the two passionate and eloquent old enemies set into motion a trial that pits religion against science. While Drummond battles for the free rights of the modern American mind, Brady, with the support of the livid local spectators who thirst for conviction, roars objections, using God’s words as his ammunition. But when the dust settles, the verdict rattles more than just this small, religious town—it shocks America! Directed by Daniel Petrie (A Raisin in the Sun) and featuring Lane Smith (Blue Collar), Tom Everett Scott (That Thing You Do!), Kathryn Morris (TV’s Cold Case), John Cullum (1776), Piper Laurie (Carrie) and Beau Bridges (The Landlord), Inherit the Wind depicts the famous Scopes Monkey Trial with clarity and power.
For thoughts on Inherit The Wind (1999), please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
Inherit The Wind (1999) makes its Blu-Ray debut courtesy of Kino Classics with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its 1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio. While there is no specific indication that this is from a new scan, the source appears to be in great shape which makes for an excellent viewing experience. Skin tones are natural and consistent with subtle facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Black levels hold up well with very little in the way of crush. There does not appear to be much in the way of print damage such as nicks and scratches, and overall clarity and detail is excellent. The presentation is enjoyable throughout most of the runtime with image stability and delineation being top notch. This transfer maintains the natural film grain of the presentation with only minor instances of seeming a bit loose. The picture maintains a nice depth even in interior settings, and the warm color palette is used well to evoke the warmth of the picture. This presentation is a really nice effort that should please those who never expected this to receive a physical release.
Audio Quality
This new Blu-Ray comes with a lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix that presents all of the sounds exactly as intended. The dialogue holds up wonderfully, coming through clearly without being stepped on by the music or subtle sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely including the murmuring of the audience in the courtroom. This is a film that taps into its swelling score effectively to create a melodramatic mood piece. This and all of the other sounds are presented with great clarity and a pleasing fidelity as they come through the room. The track avoids most instances of age related wear and tear or distortion. This is a track that represents the film in an impressive manner. Optional English subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry deliver an informative commentary track in which they discuss the differences between this film and the 1960 version, how they both differ from the real-life case, the careers of the talent involved, the place of TV movies in the culture at the time, and more that provides for a very enlightening time.
- Trailer: There are trailers provided for Inherit The Wind (1960), The Apartment, Mass Appeal, They Might Be Giants and The Day Of The Dolphin.
Final Thoughts
Inherit The Wind already had one iconic adaptation that stands strong among classic films, but the material is rich for other interpretations. The performers seem to relish the opportunity to sink their teeth into the material and deliver forceful swaths of dialogue. While director Daniel Petrie does not reinvent the material, the wide array of talent assembled with this version is so impressive that you cannot pass it by. The entire ensemble handles the material admirably which allows for another entertaining take on the story. Kino Classics has released a new Blu-Ray featuring a fantastic A/V presentation but not much in the way of special features. If you are a fan of the material or the performers involved, picking this up should be on your to-do list. Recommended
Inherit The Wind (1999) is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Before we let you go, we have officially launched our merch store! Check out all of our amazing apparel when you click here and type in GVN15 at checkout for a 15% discount!
Make sure to check out our podcasts each week including Geek Vibes Live, Top 10 with Tia, Wrestling Geeks Alliance and more! For major deals and money off on Amazon, make sure to use our affiliate link!
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
