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Great Debaters, The (2007)
Release Date:
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

MPAA Rating:
PG-13

Rating Reason:
For depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language

Genre:
Drama

Starring:
Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker

Written By:
Robert Eisele

Director:
Denzel Washington

Official Site:
Great Debaters, The (2007)

Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South and inspired by a true story, "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of a brilliant but volatile coach (Denzel Washington) who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small, modest black college in East Texas into an elite debate team while challenging the social mores of the time, culminating with a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard's championship team.

Great Debaters, The (2007) | Preview

Photo Review
David Bruce, Webmaster

Content Image
THE GREAT DEBATERS is inspired by the remarkable story of Wiley College’s winning debate team of the early 1930s. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, THE GREAT DEBATERS chronicles the journey of the Wiley College debate team—coached by the brilliant and passionate professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington). It was Tolson’s recognition that the power of knowledge is the greatest advantage of all, which brought these students from underdogs to victors in a time when more than the odds were against them.

Professor Tolson carefully chooses his team not only because they’re the best Wiley College has to offer but because they carry within them the spark of a new generation. He sets out to instill in them confidence and a sense of responsibility for more than just their own lives. At the same time he knows he must protect them from his own covert activities as an organizer of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union.


Denzel Washington stars as Mel Tolson in The Great Debaters. Photo Credit: David Lee.


Denzel Washington (Mel Tolson), Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Nate Parker (Henry Low) and Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr). Photo Credit: David Lee.


From left to right, James Farmer Jr. (DENZEL WHITAKER), Burgess (JERMAINE WILLIAMS), unknown extra as a Wiley College student, Lowe (NATE PARKER), Samantha (JURNEE SMOLLETT), unknown extra as Wiley College student-- Wiley College beats Paul Quinn-- their first victory as a debate team. Photo Credit: David Lee.


Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Nate Parker (Henry Lowe), and Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr). Photo by: David Lee.


Jurnee Smollett (Samantha), Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr) and Nate Parker (Henry Lowe. Photo by: David Lee.


Denzel Washington is Mel Tolson. Photo by: David Lee.


Jermaine Williams (Hamilton Burgess), Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr), Jurnee Smollett (Samantha) and Nate Parker (Henry Lowe). Photo by: David Lee.


Denzel Washington (Mel Tolson), Denzel Whitaker (James Farmer Jr) and Jurnee Smollett (Samantha). Photo by: David Lee.


Forest Whitaker (James Farmer) and Denzel Washington (Mel Tolson). Photo by: David Lee/TWC 2007.

Copyright © 2007 Hollywood Jesus. All rights reserved.
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