INHERIT THE WIND (1960)

Directed by: Stanley Kramer
Written by: Nathan E. Douglas, Harold Jacob Smith
Studio: United Artists
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Frederick March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated: PG

About the film:
A Southern schoolteacher is on trial for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution to his students. The trial gets national attention as two high-powered attorneys square off against one another. The film is based upon a true case – the 1925 Scopes trial.

Movie Quote:
“We must not abandon faith! Faith is the most important thing!”
Matthew Harrison Brady (Fredric March) in Inherit the Wind (1960)

Bible Quote:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

Commentary:
Matthew Harrison Brady, in his excitement and zeal, misspeaks. Faith is indeed an important thing… but the most important? Only God alone has the authority to make such a declaration. And He has. Of the three qualities listed in the above scripture, God declares that love is to get top billing.

Love is the glue that holds all good things together. Faith without love becomes a selfish, self-serving attribute. Hope without love will dwindle and die. Truth without love becomes judgmental and harsh, lacking both power and authority. God without love is impossible because, as it is written, God is love. (1 John 4:8).

When love is present; indeed when it serves as the motivation for all else, our other virtues become energized and empowered with the ability to reach their fullest effulgence.

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14 (NIV)

Questions to consider while watching the film:
1. In the film, the trial centers on the debate between creation and evolution. Were the two opposing views argued fairly? What arguments might you have included if you were one of the attorneys?
2. How might we manifest love more effectively in our life? What practical actions could we take?

Michael Elliott
http://screensermon.blogspot.com