American Experience

Monkey Trial

Directed by Christine Lesiak, Annie Mumgaard
TV-PG
S14 • E9    Feb 22, 2002    55m
Recalling the "epic battle" over evolution waged in 1925 by fundamentalist titan William Jennings Bryan and freethinking Clarence Darrow. This chronicle also explores trial oddities. It was held in Dayton, Tenn., because civic boosters wanted to put the town "on the map." Then there's John Scopes, the football coach (teaching science was a side job) who volunteered to be prosecuted. The offending book he used was Tennessee's "official" science text. Moreover, as he wrote in his memoirs, he didn't recall ever actually teaching evolution.

Where to Watch Monkey Trial

Cast of Monkey Trial

  • Linda HuntNarrator (voice)
  • William Jennings BryanSelf
  • Clarence DarrowSelf
  • John Thomas ScopesSelf
  • H.L. MenckenSelf
  • Christine LesiakDirector / Writer
  • Annie MumgaardDirector

 

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