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The Great DebatersOverview and Synopsis

Poster art for "The Great Debaters."
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  • The Great Debaters
  • Opened December 25, 2007 | Runtime:2 hr. 3 min.
  • Get Showtimes + Tickets
  • PG-13
    depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality
  • 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 Read More
  • Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker
  • Director: Denzel Washington
  • Genres: Period Film, Drama, Inspirational Drama

The Great Debaters Recent Fan Reviews

  • The Great Debaters: GREAT!!!!!!!
    by LoveMeSumTaraji

    i /****music outlets. The Great Debater thrilled me to inspirational heights! I mean, to see these group of young, black college kids... with the guidance of a strong, and grand professor ...to...

  • What the F****
    by loljkjk101

    I hated this god dam movie it blows!!!!!!!!!1 it could have been good but nope it sucked...

  • Before To Sir With Love
    by Jolie_MovieFan

    A sneak peek at life in a Negro college during the 1930s. Appropriate for most kids age 10+....

Five Word Reviews

  • Great Awesome Excellant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by USMCCPL049

More The Great Debaters Recent Fan Reviews

The Great Debaters Critic Reviews

Metascore®65 out of 100 | Generally favorable reviews

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...

  • 88
    ReelViews | James Berardinelli

    Ultimately an uplifting movie because it is about triumph.

  • 75
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

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

  • 70
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    Tailor-made for maximum inspirational, historical and educational impact, The...

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Avg. Fan Rating:
Average Rating = 4.4 out of 5
Metascore®:
65 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews

The Great Debaters Movie Photos

  • 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."
More The Great Debaters Photos