Set in Dayton, Tenn., famous trial lawyer Henry Drummond (Jack Lemmon) debates evangelical politician and attorney Matthew Harrison Brady (George C. Scott) in this dramatic retelling of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. Science teacher E.K. Hornbeck (Beau Bridges) teaches the theory of evolution, which violates the state statute supporting creationism. When the case is brought to trial, Drummond defends Hornbeck's right to teach Darwinism against Brady's religious counter-arguments.