The Great Debaters
The Great Debaters

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- 75/100 based on 61,061 votes

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, ... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in The Great Debaters:

Denzel Whitaker
Denzel Washington
Nate Parker
Jurnee Smollett
Forest Whitaker
Kimberly Elise

Full Plot Details

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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Movie Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times - 10/10 by Roger EbertThis is a film that is affirming and inspiring and re-creates the stories of a remarkable team and its coach.
Spirituality and Practice - 10/10 by Frederic and Mary Ann BrussatAn inspiring and well-acted film about an extraordinary African-American debating team in the 1930s with the talent and determination to excel.
Filmcritic.com - 10/10 by Sean O'ConnellThe phrase "inspired by" may buy a filmmaker creative leeway, but it's at the cost of credibility with an audience.
Denver Post - 10/10 by Lisa KennedyThe actor-director brings the energy and rhythms of a sports flick to a little-known bit of American history in his deeply enjoyable film The Great Debaters.
Houston Community Newspapers - 10/10 by Gary BrownThe packed house I saw the film with applauded at the end. You will, too.
ReelViews - 9/10 by James BerardinelliUltimately an uplifting movie because it is about triumph.
Salt Lake Tribune - 9/10 by Sean P. MeansThese students, the movie tells us, went on to become major figures in the civil-rights movement - and seeing how they got there is an illuminating lesson.
Philadelphia Inquirer - 9/10 by Carrie RickeyA triumph. Unapologetically old-school, in both the literal and metaphorical meanings of the term, Debaters overlays the story of social underdogs onto the familiar template of the stand-and-deliver saga, the staple of sports inspirationals like "Rocky," "Invincible" and "The Karate Kid."
Movie Reviews in Croatian - 9/10 by Victoria AlexanderI had no idea that college debating was so boring. You will agree with me.
Beliefnet - 9/10 by Nell MinowUltimately, as it should be, what carries the day is the power of the arguments and our recognition that it is forming these positions that will lead to the foundation of the civil rights era.

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