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.

Director:

Denzel Washington

Writers:

Robert Eisele (screenplay), Robert Eisele (story)

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 11 wins & 9 nominations.

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

Storyline

Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.

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Plot Keywords:

student | debate | debate team | professor | black american | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was the first since 1979 to be allowed to film on Harvard's campus.

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Goofs

Prairie View, Texas is nowhere near Waxahachie, Texas.

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Quotes

James Farmer Jr.: [opening package] Five dollars? Lowe, I got five dollars!
Henry Lowe: Yeah, I did too. It's called per diem. Want me to hold it for you?
James Farmer Jr.: No, not MY five dollars.
Samantha: [walks into the room waving her money in the air] I got five dollars! I got five dollars!
Henry Lowe: Yeah, me too.
Samantha: Well, mine is crisp.
[watches James gulp down a strawberry]
Samantha: James, this is high tea, all right? We nibble, we do not DEVOUR.
James Farmer Jr.: How do you know?
Samantha: [smiling] I don't.

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Connections

References Bright Eyes (1934)

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Soundtracks

Begrüssung
Performed by Marian Anderson
Public Domain
Courtesy of BMG Classics

User Reviews

You should see this film

I say this because: 1) The acting is remarkable. Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, and Kimberly Elise are all stunningly good 2) The cinematography is very well done and the score is beautifully and uplifting. 3) The story is great. It has multiple underdog themes which when watching, you root so much for the underdog it actually hurts :). These would be: a) the black people in the south in the 1930s b) little Wiley collage (especially when they are vs Harvard) c) the 14 year old boy James P. Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker) who is seemingly incapable at first of debating. Do yourself a favor and see "The Great Debaters". You are going to love it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Great Debaters

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,005,180, 30 December 2007

Gross USA:

$30,236,407

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,271,556

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harpo Films, Marshall Production, Roth Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

DTS SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1