Considered by many to be one of Brecht's masterpieces, Galileo explores
the question of a scientist's social and ethical responsibility, as the
brilliant Galileo must choose between his life and his life's work when
confronted with the demands of the Inquisition. Through the dramatic
characterization of the famous physicist, Brecht examines the issues of
scientific morality and the difficult relationship between the
intellectual and authority. This version of the play is the famous one
that was brought to completion by Brecht himself, working with Charles
Laughton, who played Galileo in the first two American productions
(Hollywood and New York, 1947). Since then the play has become a classic
in the world repertoire. "The play which most strongly stamped on my
mind a sense of Brecht's great stature as an artist of the modern
theatre was Galileo." - Harold Clurman; "Thoughtful and profoundly
sensitive." - Newsweek.