Direction uninspired. Play good. Performances excellent.

Hmm... the original case was in 1925... and this movie was made in 1960 (I bet it caused quite a stir in the south then too), so let's see... *looks at calender, feels deep shame for humanity*

Incredible acting and great comic relief by Gene Kelly. It's sad that this is still relevant 50 years later. The beginning 20 minutes are what make my score not be higher though, a bit too long. The stuff in the courtroom is excellent but everything outside of it made me long for them to return back to what was truly interesting. Love Spencer Tracy.

It's a high-pitched battle that pits the defender of Truth, Knowledge and Independent Thought (Spencer Tracy) against a firebreathing ignoramus (Fredric March). The courtroom proceedings are unconvincing and overly dramatic, and Kramer's blunt use of the crowd to rile up emotions is shameless. Tracy sweats and grimaces a lot (he was nominated for an Oscar); March blusters and bellows (before thankfully dropping dead). It could only be considered a classic if you saw it from 100 meters.

nothing but a propaganda piece. this could have been good if it wasn't trying so hard to put its spin on the actual events

loved tracy and kelly, a couple of the other people kind of over did it, but it's an over all great movie. the dialog here is the best part, but it somewhat fails in it's understanding of the american legal system, this court case is so cut an dry at this time that the majority of the argument is completely moot. now if it were the state supreme court that would have been another matter. too many of the characters are polarized, but it's certainly not a movie to pass up.

A gripping, well written courtroom drama with a superb performance from Spencer Tracy. I could do without the cheap shots the film makes via Gene Kelly's character and Fredric March's performance is way off, but nonetheless the film is relevent and interesting.

I've leafed through Sarris's The American Cinema a few times, I remember seeing Kramer's name under Strained Seriousness. Holy shit, he wasn't exaggerating.

Splendid theatrics with fine performances, marred by boring subplots but enhanced by a realistic portrait of a sweltering Southern town.

Excellent film dealing with the still-timely issue of science vs religion, in the context of the 'Monkey Scopes' trial. Supporting characters are a little shrill and one-dimensional at times, with the exception of Gene Kelly, unlikely but convincing as the cynical reporter. But it boils down to an epic courtroom confrontation between the two titans Tracy and March who are both incredible as they defend their cases. Probably the least dated of Kramer's 'message pictures'.

Superb performances, great dialog, and genuinely-interesting debate.

As near perfect as a politically-oriented legal drama can get. Relevant. Well-acted. Must-see.

Spencer Tracy and Frederic March are a pleasure to watch together. A highlight in Stanley Kramer's career.

a classic about a theme that just doesn't seem to go away; great characterizations by Tracy, March, and Kelly

Excellent depiction of both the small town mentality and the evolution debate. The two leads do a great job with some excellent speeches and really manage to make both characters sympathetic. The romantic angle feels tacked on but luckily only plays a small role.

By far the best of Stanley Kramer's "message" movies. Fascinating thinly disguised filming of the Scopes monkey trial, with Gene Kelly as H. L. Mencken a brilliant piece of casting

Spencer Tracy is wonderful in this intelligent courtroom drama. There's probably a number of liberties taken with the truth, but it's a good watch nonetheless.