The Great Debaters is a 2007 American historical drama film directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by Robert Eisele. The movie is based on a true story and follows the trials and tribulations of the Wiley College debate team in 1935 Texas.
The plot revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson at Wiley College, a historically black college related to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South during the 1930s, when Jim Crow laws were common and lynch mobs were a fear for African Americans.
The Wiley team eventually succeeds to the point where they are able to debate Harvard University. The movie explores social constructs in Texas during the Great Depression, from day-to-day insults African Americans endured to lynching. The Great Debaters was released in theaters on December 25, 2007, to positive critical reception.
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Full Cast
- Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson
- Forest Whitaker as James Farmer Sr.
- Nate Parker as Henry Lowe
- Jurnee Smollett as Samantha Booke
- Denzel Whitaker as James Farmer Jr.
- Jermaine Williams as Hamilton Burgess
- Gina Ravera as Ruth Tolson
- John Heard as Sheriff Dozier
- Kimberly Elise as Pearl Farmer
- Devyn A. Tyler as Esther
- Trenton McClain Boyd as Young James Farmer Jr.
- Ritchie Montgomery as Deputy
- Jackson Walker as Harvard Debater #2
- Tim Parati as Harvard Debater #3
- Robert X. Golphin as Harvard Debater #4
- Damien Leake as Actor
- Lee F. Williams as Actor
- Forest Whitaker as Dr. James Farmer Sr.
- Gina Ravera as Ruth Tolson
- Denzel Whitaker as James Farmer Jr.
- Jermaine Williams as Hamilton Burgess
- John Heard as Sheriff Dozier
- Kimberly Elise as Pearl Farmer
- Devyn A. Tyler as Esther
- Trenton McClain Boyd as Young James Farmer Jr.
Director: Denzel Washington
Writer: Robert Eisele
Box Office Gross: $30,271,556
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Genre: Drama, Biography, Romance
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2007
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2017
Themes & Reception
The Great Debaters explores several themes, including the power of education, the importance of knowledge, and the fight against racism and discrimination. The movie shows how education can be a powerful tool to overcome adversity and achieve success, as demonstrated by the Wiley College debate team's journey to compete against Harvard University. The film also highlights the importance of knowledge in fulfilling desires and achieving goals.
The Great Debaters was generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, although some critics have criticized the film for its unrealistic portrayal of debate teams and for not providing enough historical context.
Settings
The opening setting of The Great Debaters is established in Marshall, a small town in Texas, in the year 1935. The setting immediately establishes a place where racial segregation is deeply rooted. The film immerses viewers in the vibrant African-American culture of the 1930s, from the music to the dialect, providing a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of the characters.
The movie also features various settings where the Wiley College debate team competes against other colleges, including Oklahoma City University, Langston University, and Harvard University.
While there is limited information on the settings used in the film, it is likely that the movie used various settings to convey the historical context of the story and to immerse viewers in the world of the characters.
Trailer
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