Drama
United States of America
The Great Debaters is a 2007 drama film directed by Denzel Washington and starring Washington, Forest Whitaker, and newcomer Denzel Whitaker. The film is based on the true story of the Wiley College debate team, which was coached by the educator and poet Melvin B. Tolson in the 1930s.
The movie takes place in segregated rural Texas, where Tolson (played by Washington) is a professor at Wiley College, an all-black school. He decides to start a debate team of students, including his own son James (played by Denzel Whitaker), who are passionate about civil rights and social justice. The team faces racism and hostility as they compete against other colleges, but they are determined to use their voices to challenge the status quo.
The team includes Samantha Booke (played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell), the first female member of the debate team, and Henry Lowe (played by Nate Parker), a troubled young man who is initially reluctant to join the team but eventually becomes one of its most passionate and skilled members.
The film highlights the power of words and the importance of education in the struggle for civil rights. Tolson is shown as a brilliant and charismatic coach who pushes his students to think critically and creatively, challenging them to use their intellects to fight against injustice.
The Great Debaters received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globes and Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The film is widely regarded as a powerful and inspiring story of perseverance, courage, and the transformative power of education.
