IMDb > The Great Debaters (2007)
The Great Debaters
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The Great Debaters (2007) More at IMDbPro »

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The Great Debaters (2007) -- The Great Debaters Trailer
The Great Debaters (2007) -- A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.
The Great Debaters (2007) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   12,513 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 24% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Denzel Washington

Writers (WGA):

Robert Eisele (screenplay)
Robert Eisele (story) ...
more

Contact:

View company contact information for The Great Debaters on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

25 December 2007 (USA) more

Genre:

Biography | Drama more

Tagline:

When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.

Plot:

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. full summary | add synopsis

Plot Keywords:

more

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations more

User Comments:

Though I speak with the tongues of angels, but have not love.... more (94 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Denzel Washington ... Melvin B. Tolson

Nate Parker ... Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett ... Samantha Booke

Denzel Whitaker ... James Farmer Jr.
Jermaine Williams ... Hamilton Burgess

Forest Whitaker ... Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Gina Ravera ... Ruth Tolson

John Heard ... Sheriff Dozier

Kimberly Elise ... Pearl Farmer

Devyn A. Tyler ... Helen Farmer (as Devyn Tyler)

Trenton McClain Boyd ... Nathaniel Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery ... Deputy

Jackson Walker ... Pig Owner

Tim Parati ... Pig Farmer

Robert X. Golphin ... Dunbar Reed
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Additional Details

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44005) | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA more

Company:

Harpo Films more


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

The diploma hanging in Dr. James Farmer's study is an authentic copy provided to the art department by Boston University archivist Kara Jackman. more

Goofs:

Continuity: When Henry Lowe comes home drunk after viewing the lynching, he and James Farmer Jr struggle. The lamp constantly changes between upright and knocked over. more

Quotes:

Samantha: The state is currently spending five times more for the education for a white child than it is fitting to educate a colored child. That means better textbooks for that child than for that child. I say that's a shame, but my opponent says today is not the day for whites and coloreds to go to the same college... more

Movie Connections:

References Men in White (1934) more

Soundtrack:

Rock and Rye more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
59 out of 78 people found the following comment useful.
Though I speak with the tongues of angels, but have not love...., 24 December 2007
10/10
Author: intelearts from the big screen

"The Great Debaters" is a very fine film.

It reminds us of what it means to be excellent, to stand for something good, to love with all our hearts, and to shine.

The performances, or the cinematography, historical care, or directorship all lift it out of the ordinary.

And in its difficult subject: racial tension and the education and discovery of values by the three young debaters from Wiley College, one of the oldest colleges in America, it creates real excitement and interest.

But the real reason that this is a fine film lies in is its plea that in education lies the reasoning, the power, and the will to change history. That learning lies not just in knowledge but also in applying that knowledge to better yourself, your world, and all of humanity.

The very significant point of the film is at the end. I can forgive the slight drag here and there because the ending is magnificent and explains something crucial about American history by its finish.

From an era when bigotry, racism, and degrading behavior was a wretched norm to our era where values are mutable, where dumbing down has no limits, and taste little place; "The Great Debaters" stands out as being a story that stands against all of these things.

The rating says it all: excellent.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Debaters (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Great movie, but large mistake made at the end... Metfan2987
The lynch scene rujivachirapong
These are the kind of black movies... Ozyre Cekda
Who wished Samantha got with James rather than Lowe? flavamack
They Never Debated Harvard jonathanlerner111
Anyone else notice a slightly Communist/Socialist slant to the film? g_wales
more

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