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The Great Debaters (2007)
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Overview
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. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations moreUser Comments:
Great Sophomore Film by Denzel as a Director moreCast
(in credits order) | 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 |
 | Justice Leak | ... | Harland Osbourne |
 | Glen Powell Jr. | ... | Harvard Debater #1 |
| Brad Watkins | ... | Harvard Debater #2 |
| Brian Smiar | ... | Harvard Dean |
 | Damien Leake | ... | Wilson |
 | Voltaire Rico Sterling | ... | Paul Quinn Debater #1 |
 | Stephen Rider | ... | Paul Quinn Debater #2 |
| Gordon Danniels | ... | Paul Quinn Debate Judge |
| Donny Boaz | ... | Oklahoma City College Debater #1 |
| Samuel Elliott Whisnant | ... | Oklahoma City College Debater #2 (as Sam Whisnant) |
 | Bonnie Johnson | ... | Dr. Jennings |
 | Charissa Allen | ... | Benita |
 | Michael Beasley | ... | Trudell |
| Gary Mathis | ... | Enormous Man |
 | George Wilson | ... | Samuel |
 | Fahnlohnee R. Harris | ... | Clementine (as Fahnlohnee Harris) |
| Harold Evans | ... | William Taylor (as Harold X. Evans) |
 | J.D. Evermore | ... | Captain Wainwright |
| Sharon Jones | ... | Lila |
 | Kelvin Payton | ... | Joseph |
 | Southey Blanton | ... | White Labor Organizer |
 | Michael Mattison | ... | White Sharecropper #1 |
| Jeff Braun | ... | White Sharecropper #2 |
| Milton R. Gipson | ... | Prairie View Professor |
 | Frank Ridley | ... | Security Guard |
 | Jeremiah Kissel | ... | Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate |
| Jack Radosta | ... | White Man at Lynching |
 | Marcus Lyle Brown | ... | Howard Debater #1 |
| Alvin Youngblood Hart | ... | Juke Joint Musician #1 |
| Dominique Flemons | ... | Juke Joint Musician #2 |
| Justin Robinson | ... | Juke Joint Musician #3 |
| Rhiannon Giddens | ... | Juke Joint Musician #4 |
| Ahmad Powell | ... | Fisk Professor |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
 | Donald Warnock | ... | The Chief Harvard Judge |
| Hevin Hampton | ... | Bar Patron (uncredited) |
 | Tarek Moussa | ... | Harvard Student (uncredited) |
Directed by | |||
| Denzel Washington | |||
Writing credits(WGA) | ||
| Robert Eisele | (screenplay) | |
| Robert Eisele | (story) & | |
| Jeffrey Porro | (story) | |
Produced by | |||
| Molly Allen | .... | co-producer | |
| Todd Black | .... | producer | |
| David Crockett | .... | executive producer | |
| Kate Forte | .... | producer | |
| Melody Fowler | .... | associate producer: Harpo Films | |
| Joe Roth | .... | producer | |
| Valeria Scoon | .... | associate producer: Harpo Films (as Valerie Scoon) | |
| Bob Weinstein | .... | executive producer | |
| Harvey Weinstein | .... | executive producer | |
| Oprah Winfrey | .... | producer | |
Original Music by | |||
| Peter Golub | |||
| James Newton Howard | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Philippe Rousselot | (director of photography) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| John Breinholt | (co-editor) | ||
| Hughes Winborne | |||
Casting by | |||
| Denise Chamian | |||
Production Design by | |||
| David J. Bomba | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| John R. Jensen | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Patrick Cassidy | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Sharen Davis | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Belinda Anderson | .... | key hair stylist | |
| Matiki Anoff | .... | key makeup artist | |
| Howard Berger | .... | special makeup effects artist | |
| Andrea Bowman | .... | hair stylist | |
| Nikki I Brown | .... | makeup artist | |
| Larry M. Cherry | .... | co-department head hair stylist (as Larry Cherry) | |
| Larry M. Cherry | .... | hair stylist: Mr. Washington (as Larry Cherry) | |
| Carl Fullerton | .... | makeup department head | |
| Valerie Gladstone-Hapel | .... | first assistant hair stylist (as Valerie Gladstone) | |
| LaToya Green | .... | makeup artist | |
| Janice Hudson | .... | hair stylist | |
| Linda Lazar | .... | makeup artist | |
| Gregory Nicotero | .... | special makeup effects artist (as Greg Nicotero) | |
| Denise Pugh-Ruiz | .... | first assistant makeup artist | |
| Kenneth Walker | .... | department head hair stylist | |
| Andrea Young | .... | hair stylist | |
Production Management | |||
| Kelly Carmichael | .... | executive in charge of production | |
| Carla Gardini | .... | executive in charge of production | |
| Michael Jackman | .... | executive in charge of post-production | |
| Brian McNulty | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Valerie Bleth Sharp | .... | production supervisor | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| George Bott | .... | additional second assistant director | |
| Natalie S. Brown | .... | dga trainee | |
| Greg Hale | .... | second assistant director | |
| Kali Harrison | .... | second second assistant director | |
| Tom Martin | .... | additional second assistant director | |
| Jono Oliver | .... | first assistant director | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Jack Lynch | .... | special effects supervisor | |
| Lino Stavole | .... | special effects technician: mold department, K.N.B Effects Group | |
| Bob Trevino | .... | special effects technician | |
| Jeffery D. Woodrel | .... | special effects coordinator | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Brian McNulty | .... | visual effects producer | |
Stunts | |||
| Kevin Beard | .... | stunt performer | |
| Bobby Beckles | .... | stunts | |
| Gregg Brazzel | .... | stunts | |
| Lex D. Geddings | .... | stunts | |
| Jim Henry | .... | stunts | |
| Eric Norris | .... | stunts | |
| Stephen A. Pope | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Robert Powell | .... | stunt double: Denzel Washington | |
| Steve Ritzi | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Russell Towery | .... | stunts | |
| Joe Williams | .... | stunt double | |
Casting Department | |||
| Matt Bouldry | .... | casting assistant | |
| Angela Demo | .... | casting associate | |
| Chris Gray | .... | location casting | |
| Tracy Kilpatrick | .... | location casting | |
| Marisa Kushner | .... | extras casting: Boston | |
| Carolyn Pickman | .... | location casting | |
| Aileen Vicari | .... | extras casting assistant | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Gayle Anderson | .... | wardrobe assistant | |
| Yvonne Bastidos | .... | set costumer | |
| Toby Bronson | .... | costumer | |
| Rosa Colón | .... | costumer | |
| Hillary Derby | .... | costumer | |
| Dana Kay Hart | .... | costume supervisor | |
| Rebecca Hofherr | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Alanna Keenan | .... | costume production assistant | |
| Chris Love | .... | costume production assistant | |
| Alyson MacInnis | .... | costumer | |
| Meriwether Nichols | .... | set costumer | |
| Marienne O'Brien | .... | additional costumer | |
| Frank Perry Rose | .... | costumer: Mr. Washington (as Frank Rose) | |
| Roric Ruegsegger | .... | additional costumer | |
| Ellen Ryba | .... | key costumer: Los Angeles | |
| Giselle Spence | .... | head seamstress | |
| Jodie Stern | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Paul St. John | .... | costumer | |
| Jessica L. Therrien | .... | costume assistant | |
| Susan Thomas | .... | costumer | |
| Danny Vick | .... | additional costumer | |
| Rachel A. Walker | .... | set costumer | |
| Taryn Walsh | .... | costumer | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Geraud Brisson | .... | additional editor | |
| Curtis Lindersmith | .... | digital intermediate editor | |
| Yvan Lucas | .... | colorist: Efilm | |
| Christian Prejza | .... | digital intermediate producer | |
| Lee Wimer | .... | color timer | |
Music Department | |||
| Chris P. Bacon | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Maya Beiser | .... | musician: cello solo | |
| Christine Bergren | .... | music legal and clearance | |
| Hugh Burns | .... | musician: guitar | |
| Eddie Delena | .... | music recordist | |
| Dave Holden | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Joel Iwataki | .... | music scoring mixer | |
| Todd Kasow | .... | music editor | |
| Eric Lewis | .... | composer: additional music | |
| Chris Lord | .... | score preparation | |
| Barbara McDermott | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Julia Newmann | .... | orchestrator | |
| John Parricelli | .... | musician: guitar | |
| G. Marq Roswell | .... | music supervisor | |
| Pamela J. Sollie | .... | score coordinator | |
| Sean Stolper | .... | additional music clearances | |
| Adam Swart | .... | music consultant | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | score co-producer | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Oscar Zambrano | .... | music engineer | |
| Brad Dechter | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Bobby Anderson | .... | picture car coordinator | |
| John DeVay | .... | fuel truck driver | |
| Kim Magruder | .... | driver | |
| Lori Maxwell | .... | transportation dispatcher | |
| Ted Moser | .... | transportation coordinator | |
| Justin Nance | .... | transportation co-captain | |
| Beverly Reeves | .... | driver | |
| Hank Van Apeldoorn | .... | driver: set dressing | |
- Alliance Films (2007) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Golden Village Entertainment (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
- Weinstein Company, The (2007) (USA) (all media)
- Pacific Title and Art Studio (visual effects)
- Pacific Title and Art Studio (opticals)
- 424 Post sound post-production
- Atlantic Records soundtrack
- Bender ET GFCI shock protection provided by
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment camera car
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment camera cranes
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment dollies
- EFilm digital intermediate
- Movie Movers cast trailers
- Movie Movers hair and make-up trailers
- Movie Movers star trailers
- Movie Movers transportation
- On Tour Productions transportation services
- Rockbottom Rentals cell phone rentals
- Rockbottom Rentals junxion box rentals
- Rockbottom Rentals walkie rentals
- Urban Marketing Corporation of America (UMCA) field publicity
- Varèse Sarabande score album
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
126 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreMOVIEmeter: 
26% since last week
why?
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was the first since 1979 to be allowed to film on Harvard's campus. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Henry Lowe comes home drunk after viewing the lynching, he and James Farmer Jr struggle. The lamp constantly changes between upright and knocked over. moreQuotes:
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]
more
FAQ
What is the name of the marshland town in Texas where the roadhouse was?more
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Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Debaters (2007) moreRecommendations
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| Full cast and crew |
Two words perfectly sum up this movie - inspirational and uplifting. I have not seen Antwone Fisher, but I will be sure to check it out after seeing this.
Before watching this, I had never even heard about Wiley College or what it did in the '30s, so not only is it great entertainment but it is also educational. I don't know how closely the movie follows the actual events so I can't point out the flaws, but it doesn't matter because the movie is brilliant and moving. This is an underdog movie and you'll be rooting for the Wiley College team throughout the movie. The acting is marvelous by all the actors, but recognition has to be given to the three stars that portray the debaters, Denzel Washington, and Forest Whitaker. Not only is Denzel great as an actor, he is even better as a director. As other reviewers have said, out of all the actors Denzel Whitaker is the star. His portrayal of James Farmer, Jr. is outstanding and this role will certainly further his acting career. Forest Whitaker doesn't have a huge role to play, but he performs his parts beautifully (for example the hog and the sheriff scenes).
Overall this is a very inspirational and uplifting movie. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets a few Oscar nods.
9/10