The Great Debaters

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The Great Debaters

PG-13

2007

2h 7m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson teaches at the predominantly 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 of one of his best debaters, 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

01/29/2008

C

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

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Glenn Kenny

Premiere Magazine

01/04/2008

2.5/4

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

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

01/03/2008

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

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/06/2024

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.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/06/2023

3/4

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.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

11/24/2020

8/10

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

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Leaburn O

Jan 26

It is passable but the plot and the political messaging can be telegraphed from a mile off. Watching two hours of self righteousness glossed over with touches of melodrama to create an obvious narrative arc is a bit tedious. The emotional impact is underwhelming because the violin strings in the background music are out of kilter with the actual lightweight punch the proselytising delivers. It looks for knockout moments and just delivers obvious light jabs. Watched on DVD.

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Robert M.

@Robert55 Dec 23

It's a good thing this movie has Denzel and Forrest as the other actors just over-act. Good actors getting poor direction by Denzel? Well filmed but the script is facial reactions, over dramatized situations and predictable outcomes. The script is tilted towards the underdog winning, all whites are evil and when the script lacks just focus on facial expressions. A top tier director could have added a star to this review.

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Ann C

Nov 23

How did I manage to not see this wonderful film until just now? Every aspect is beautifully done-- direction, writing, acting, design, cinematography, everything. Who would have thought a story about college debate could be so powerful, engrossing and moving? There's no spandex in sight, but these characters-- based on real people-- are true super heroes.

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Nazir M

Nov 22

Love everything love everything love the style of how they did it love the actors

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Elisha I

@asapidox Sep 30

Powerful, inspiring, and beautifully acted. A story that hits hard emotionally while also celebrating resilience and the power of words.

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LESLEY M

Jul 16

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

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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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Synopsis

Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson teaches at the predominantly 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 of one of his best debaters, 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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