The Great Debaters

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The Great Debaters

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2007

2h 7m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

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133 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debators, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions.

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Critics Consensus

A wonderful cast and top-notch script elevate The Great Debaters beyond a familiar formula for a touching, uplifting drama.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B+

Feb 18, 2012

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

I.E. Weekly

Despite its transparent manipulations, the film is more decent than it deserves to be, particularly when the kids step up to the podium and get passionate

Rated: C

Jan 29, 2008

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s an inspirational tale of triumph over adversity that plays the debate competition like an underdog sports movie, complete with the cheering crowds celebrating each win, and the plotting of their road to victory is too neatly designed.

Apr 6, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It follows a traditional sports movie narrative, showing us the team’s competitive and inner struggles, offering some profound experiences with which these debaters use to reinforce their arguments.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 6, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though the classic underdog formula provides a somewhat predictable patterning, it's nevertheless a powerful story.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 24, 2020

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Vander A

Still trying to figure out why I've never heard of this movie from 2007. It is, in a word, particularly Excellent. Don't know how many movies Denzel Washington has directed but here he proves he is very, very good at it. And he is his usual flawless self as the star. These are stories that need to be told and yet they are still scarce. Must see historic story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/21/24

Full Review

Jerod S

Denzel as star and director of the Wiley College debate team is a stone cold winner. Navigating racial tensions in the 30s, the Texas team goes on to be national champs.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/24

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Ashley N

Gem of a movie that I somehow missed when it came out. Excellent topics dealt with, excellent dialogue and acting. And uplifting, to boot!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

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SR C

Based on a true story, the debates are masterful. Set in the mid-1930's you overlook the parallels in what our country was struggling with then and what it is still struggling with today. Will we ever get it right? And more importantly am I part of the problem or part of the solution?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/24

Full Review

Kevin W

A Must See. The cast is excellent! It is one of the best movies I've seen in recent years! 5 Stars & waiting for you 👏👏👏👏👏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

V S

An amazing movie with witty dialogue, great acting, and an inspiring story. I'm so glad someone decided to make a film based on Melvin B. Tolson's Wiley College debating team. More stories like this need to be told. A must-watch film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

Full Review

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Denzel Washington

Director

Denzel Washington

Mel Tolson

Forest Whitaker

Dr. James Farmer Sr.

Nate Parker

Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett

Denzel Whitaker

James Farmer Jr.

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The Great Debaters: Official Clip - The Hot Spot

2:57

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Jesus Was a Radical

2:12

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Who's the Judge?

1:56

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Empty Debate Hall

1:38

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Quinn Debate

3:15

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Chosen for the Team

1:30

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - The Time for Justice

2:58

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Tell Us About Your Father

2:07

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Revolution

2:11

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Synopsis

Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debators, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions.

Director: Denzel Washington
Producer: Todd Black, Kate Forte, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Roth
Screenwriter: Robert Eisele
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Harpo Films
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images|Brief Sexuality|Language|Strong Thematic Material|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2007, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2M
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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