Inherit the Wind is a 1988 American legal drama television film directed by David Greene and written by John Gay, based on the 1955 play of the same name by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The film stars Kirk Douglas, Jason Robards, Darren McGavin and Jean Simmons. It aired on NBC on March 20, 1988. The original play was written as a parable which fictionalized the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial as a means of discussing the 1950s McCarthy trials. This version differed from the two previous films by attempting to make Brady more sympathetic and the storyline (according to its producers) "a bit more fair to both sides." When announced in early 1987, the film was to co-star Douglas and Gregory Peck, under the title The Monkey Trial. Plot summary Cast Jason Robards as Henry Drummond Kirk Douglas as Matthew Harrison Brady Darren McGavin as E. K. Hornbeck Jean Simmons as Lucy Brady Kyle Secor as Bertram Cates Michael Ensign as Rev. Brown Megan Follows as Rachel Brown Awards Emmy Awards Won: Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special - Peter Douglas (executive producer) and Robert Papazian (producer) Won: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special - Jason Robards Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special - Stevan Larner See also List of American films of 1988 Trial movies Notes External links and references 1988 films 1988 drama films 1980s American films 1980s English-language films 1980s legal drama films Films about religion American courtroom films American drama television films American films based on actual events American films based on plays American legal drama films Cultural depictions of Clarence Darrow Cultural depictions of John T. Scopes Drama films based on actual events Films à clef Films about lawyers Films directed by David Greene Films scored by Arthur B. Rubinstein Films shot in Oregon Films with screenplays by John Gay (screenwriter) NBC network original films Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie winners Scopes Trial Television films based on actual events United Artists films