The Great Debaters (2007)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Denzel Washington

Writers (WGA):

Robert Eisele (screenplay)
Robert Eisele (story) ...

Release Date:

25 December 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.

Plot:

A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

Plot Keywords:

Debate | College | Team | Student | Professor

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Nov. 10	9:00 AM	SHOW
Sat. Nov. 14	4:45 PM	SHOW
Sun. Nov. 15	4:05 AM	SHOW

Cast

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.
Gina Ravera	...	Ruth Tolson
John Heard	...	Sheriff Dozier
Kimberly Elise	...	Pearl Farmer
Devyn A. Tyler	...	Helen Farmer (as Devyn Tyler)
Trenton McClain Boyd	...	Nathaniel Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery	...	Deputy
Jackson Walker	...	Pig Owner
Tim Parati	...	Pig Farmer
Robert X. Golphin	...	Dunbar Reed

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #44005) | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Harpo Films

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Samantha is participating in her first debate at Oklahoma City, she mentions World War I in her argument. In 1935, this war would have been referred to as the "Great War", since a World War II had not yet occurred.

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]

Movie Connections:

References Men in White (1934)

Soundtrack:

Run... Run / All Hid

Great - if you don't mind fairy tales based on history

The direction and acting are first rate but the story follows the Hollywood formula for success - with very good good guys and very bad bad guys and the ending we all want to see. Too bad they didn't take the risk and use the real story (and quite possibly the original screenplay). There is a smell of script doctors here.

Nonetheless the cast was brilliant and many scenes were compelling. The film is definitely worth watching. It is good fiction but not a proper history lesson, unless viewed as pay-back for similarly slanted stories from the other side.

The ending brings up Hemingway's line, "Wouldn't it be pretty to think so."