The Great DebatersSynopsis and Overview

Poster art for "The Great Debaters."

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  • The Great Debaters
  • Opened December 25, 2007 | Runtime:2 hr. 3 min.
  • PG-13
    depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality
  • Information for parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 12+. Read More
  • Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach, 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, Read More
  • Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker
  • Director: Denzel Washington
  • Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama

The Great Debaters Movie Photos & Trailers + Clips

  • Denzel Washington in "The Great Debaters."
  • Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker and Denzel Whitaker in "The Great Debaters."
  • Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker and Nate Parker in "The Great Debaters."
  • Denzel Washington in "The Great Debaters."
  • Jermaine Williams, Denzel Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett and Nate Parker in "The Great Debaters."
  • Denzel Washington, Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker and Denzel Whitaker in "The Great Debaters."
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The Great Debaters Featured Trailers + Video Clips

The Great Debaters Recent Fan Reviews

  • Must Go!

    The Great Debaters

    by seahawkdan

    This was an excellent movie! I plan on purchasing the DVD when it comes out. From an African-American history standpoint, it illustrates the struggles we had to go through in the early years of this century in the South. Sure, there some poetic licenses take or used, but the gist of the story is still relevant and important. A must-see for evrybody. A word of caution though - I took my 9 year-old son, and there were two scenes that bothered after the movie was over.

  • Go

    the great debaters

    by achebil

    Unfortunately I could not go to the movies since my husband was ill. Can we get two relacement tickets for another day?
    Thanks
    Alexandra Chebil

  • Must Go!

    The Great Debate

    by sunnyforever

    Powerful, Powerful, Outstanding……Powerful! If those four words do not win the debate then perhaps these next two will………Academy Award.
    '
    Look for emotionally moving performances from the student leads, with a standout performance by child star turned grown up actress Jurnee Smollett. Of course, Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker deliver their usual spectacular performances.

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The Great Debaters Critic Reviews

Go Avg. Critic Score out of 100 Metascore ® based on all critic ratings.

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    This is a film that is affirming and inspiring and re-creates the stories of a...

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Walter Addiego

    An edifying and forthright drama that aims to create a lump in the throat, and...

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    The Great Debaters is like one of those sentimentally revved youth-sports-team...

  • 70
    Washington Post | Stephen Hunter

    It's a great family movie, if not historically perfect, and something that a...

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The Great Debaters Movie Ratings + Reviews

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