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Even before they took place, the 2005 Kansas school board hearings on evolution were recognized as a pivotal battle in America's ongoing war over teaching evolution in the public schools. Organized by believers in Intelligent Design and convened by creationists, the hearings provided a testing ground for the successful legal and political tactics that drive today's ongoing actions by anti-evolution organizations in the US and around the world. On the pro-evolution side, they inspired a worldwide boycott of the event by mainstream science. Kansas vs. Darwin reveals the fascinating and sometimes baffling personalities behind the spectacle, with exclusive footage of the hearings and revealing, in-depth interviews with the major figures on both sides. Never revealing their own opinions, the filmmakers allow the characters to fight it out, with emotionally polarizing and often humorous results. The witnesses at the hearings include anti-evolution scientists, educators, and even a middle-eastern journalist. Their opinions are refuted in interviews with their pro-evolution counterparts. More than a political documentary, Kansas vs. Darwin takes you to the dark heart of the culture wars, examining the confusing crossroads of politics, religion, science and education. The film is delineated by chapters that guide the exploration of its various themes, including the meaning of evolution as it affects man's sense of purpose, the definition of science, materialism vs. spirituality, and the responsibility of educators regarding the religious beliefs of their students.

"Kansas versus Darwin is a superb documentary on the evolution-creation controversy in biology education today, engaging the audience and presenting all competing views without sacrificing the integrity of science. It is must viewing for anyone interested in the dispute and in enhancing the quality and rigor of science education in the United States today."
Sahotra Sarkar
Professor, Section of Integrative Biology,
Division of Statistics and Scientific Computation,
Department of Philosophy, Center for Computational
Biology, Environmental Sciences Institute, Program
in the History and Philosophy of Science,
Department of Geography and the Environment,
University of Texas at Austin

"Kansas vs. Darwin" is a thoughtful and thorough introduction to a greatly misunderstood event: the 2005 Kansas Board of Education hearings on intelligent design and evolution. With remarkable footage of the hearings themselves along with candid interviews of the principals, the film presents both sides accurately and fairly, and with a healthy dollop of humor.
Eugenie Scott, Executive Director
National Center for Science Education

Kansas vs. Darwin is informative, engaging and balanced. It is a challenge to approach such a charged topic even handedly, but Tamblyn has done so. The occasional arrogance and frequent frustration of scientists is palpable, as is the unyielding faith and the smug anti-intellectualism of the creationists.
Ed Caudill, University of Tennessee, author, "Darwinism in the Press: The Evolution of an Idea," "Darwinian Myths: The Legends and Misuses of a Theory," "The Scopes Trial: A Photographic History."

The film is intellectually captivating. I loved it because different points of view about the controversy are presented in creative, exciting and often surprising ways. You never know what is coming next. If you like to challenge your thinking and, at times, challenge the thinking of others, it is a must-see.
Ken Bingman, Biology Teacher, Blue Valley West High School, Overland Park, KS, National Biology Teacher of the Year, Presidential Award Winner for Excellence in Science Teaching, and Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher to Japan

The film is particularly well suited to classroom use since it allows those who participated in the hearings and those who closely followed those hearings to speak for themselves without editorial comment. Viewers are thereby given many of the basic facts of the case and are better equipped to draw their own conclusions. It will be an excellent springboard for classroom discussions on subjects like science education, the place of religion in politics, and the relation of science and religion.
Donald Viney
Professor of Philosophy
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, Kansas

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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• Audience Award, Best Documentary, Secret City Film Festival
• Gala Opening Night Screening, Tallgrass Film Festival, Wichita, KS
• Official Selection, Temecula Film Festival, Temecula, CA
• Official Selection, Reelheart International Film Festival, Toronto, CA
• Official Selection, Kansas International Film Festival, Overland Park, KS
• KTWU, Topeka Public Television
• KCPT, Kansas City Public Television
• KPTS, Wichita Public Television
• Smoky Hills Public Television

Resources to Download

Kansas vs Darwin Free High School Study Guide