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The Great Debaters

7.0

1,337

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Original title

The Great Debaters

Year

2007

Running time

123 min.

Country

United States

Director

Denzel Washington

Screenwriter

Robert Eisele, Tony Scherman. Story: Jeffrey Porro

Cast

Music

Peter Golub, James Newton Howard

Cinematography

Philippe Rousselot

Producer

Harpo Films, Marshall Production, The Weinstein Company

Genre

Drama | Based on a true story. Schools & University. Education. 1930s

Synopsis

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. Tolson was a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African-American college in the Deep South into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political views. In their pursuit for excellence, Tolson's debate team receives a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard University's championship team.

Rankings Position

#148 Best Movies Based on a True Story

Awards: 2007: Nominated for Golden Globe: Best Movie Drama

2008: NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Motion Picture.

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The Great Debaters

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