The Great Debaters
Drama
Weinstein Company  (2007) 126 mins PG-13

7.6 (9,952 votes)
Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington (American Gangster) directs and stars with Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) in this "important and deeply inspiring page from the not-so-distant past" (Richard Roeper, At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper). Inspired by a true story, Washington shines as a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African American college students into an historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite. Featuring a superb cast of rising young actors, "The Great Debaters is marvelous entertainment that you should not miss" (Andrew Sarris, The New York Observer)....

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Cast and Crew
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.
Director  .....  Denzel Washington
Producer  .....  Todd Black; Kate Forte; Oprah Winfrey
Writer  .....  Robert Eisele
Notes
Goofs:
Anachronisms: In the final debate against Harvard University, James Farmer Jr. was seen getting up to the hot seat, clicking a ballpoint pen closed. This movie was set in 1935, while the ballpoint pen wasn't patented until 3 years later, in 1938. (more)

Trivia:
On December 19, 2007, Denzel Washington announced a $1 million dollar donation to Wiley College so they could re-establish their debate team. (more)

Filming Locations:
Boston, Massachusetts, USA (more)

Quotes:
Dr. James Farmer, Sr.: [after Tolson is unjustly captured and imprisoned] Since you have no evidence, I suggest you let him go.
Sheriff Dozier: Are you threatening me, boy?
Dr. James Farmer, Sr.: No, sir. I wouldn't do that. But I cannot speak for those people outside.
[points toward the riotous mob gathered outside the sheriff's office]
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations (more)