![]() ![]() From his tryouts, he selected Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams), Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), and James Farmer, Jr. By day, he was a bristly, self-assured, incredibly intelligent master of rhetoric and, by night, he was secretly a spokesman of the people dressing the part and working tirelessly to organize the Texas sharecroppers-an activity that could have gotten him labeled a pot-stirrer at best and at worst a communist. At a time in Texas history when, unfortunately, while progress had been made since the Civil War, it was still possible to find people of color being lynched by Anglo-saxon, as Tolson refers to them, mobs and the Sheriff in cahoots with farmers working to keep the share-croppers from ever unionizing, Prof. The film opens with him conducting his tryouts for the new year's team where some 50 students arrive at his home hoping to earn one of four, coveted spots (two debaters and two alternates). He's a brilliant writer, debater, and speaker, therefore he's also been the long-standing debate team coach. Tolson-better known at the time, despite all appearances in the film for his poetry. Not only does the film introduce cross-examination, collegiate debate style to the masses, it serves well as a worthy reminder of the societal wrongs that can commence when groups of people presume superiority over others.ĭenzel Washington portrays the Wiley College Professor of English, Melvin B. From start to end, this unlikely story about the first all-black college in the United States to ever be invited to debate the national collegiate debate champions, packs powerful performances and brilliant speeches that were honestly the first ones I've ever heard applauded during a movie along with receiving one "Amen!". Washington-unlike his atypical performance and contributions to American Gangster-to act in, but also for him to direct. Upon seeing the film, though, all surprise should quickly dissipate. ![]() It may have come as some what of a surprise when the Golden Globe Awards for the film year 2007 were announced, and Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters was listed among the seven films nominated for Best Picture in the Dramatic category. Forest Whitaker ( The Last King of Scotland) Ĭlick for 'Review Lite' Ĭlick to see photos from the Premiere of The Great DebatersĬlick to read the spoiler points for The Great Debaters. ![]() Screenplay by: Robert Eisele (3: The Dale Earnhardt Story) Story by Robert Eisele and Jeffrey Porro based on article by Tony Schermanįeatured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From): Soundtrack: Download now from - or - order the CD belowĭirected by: Denzel Washington (Antwone Fisher) ![]() Where Viewed: Harkins Ciné Capri at Northfield 18, Denver, COĭVD Release Date: (click date to purchase or pre-order) Washington and Whitaker are two of only four black actors to have won the Best Actor award at the Oscars, along with Jamie Foxx for Ray and Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field.Movie Review of The Great Debaters (2007) 123 minutes Washington has recently completed the Ridley Scott crime thriller American Gangster, also starring Russell Crowe, which will be released later this year. Whitaker, who won an Oscar this year for his performance as despotic Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, is currently filming the Los Angeles drama Winged Creatures. Washington is to the play the debate team coach while Whitaker will play the father of one of the students, who finds himself competing for the loyalty of his son with the character played by Washington. The film tells the story of a group of students from a small college in Texas who are turned into an elite debating team by an inspirational teacher, rising to challenge Harvard's championship squad in the 1930s. Washington, a Best Actor Oscar winner for Training Day in 2002, will star in and direct The Great Debaters, which is loosely based on a true story. The Oscar-winning acting talents of Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker will join forces for the first time in a drama about a collegiate debating team. ![]()
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