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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132 Reviews

86%

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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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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

Glenn Kenny

Premiere Magazine

It's terrifically acted, pretty much a given with this cast.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 4, 2008

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

As for Mr. Parker and Ms. Smollett, there's no debating what awaits them -- stardom, very soon.

Jan 3, 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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LESLEY M

What an amazing heart felt sad at times movie 🎬 we need to learn from this as it's now 2025 and not 1935

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Chris P

Incredible movie--well written and well acted. Very inspirational. Evokes a lot of emotion and spirit.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Maxime L

The movie starts out quite fast. It kinda gives the feeling a lot was edited out or the story was rushed. But once in it it tells a beautiful story of adversity and perseverance combined with a stellar cast and beautiful performances by everyone it's a must see movie in my opinion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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Dionisis T

Kinda boring but totally inspirational

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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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

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.

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 - Who's Your Opponent?

1:07

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

2:07

The Great Debaters: Official Clip - Midnight Lynching

1:57

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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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