The Great Debaters (2007)


Denzel Washington       Melvin B Tolson
Forest Whitaker         James Farmer, Sr.
Jermaine Williams       Hamilton Burgess
J. D. Evermore          Captain Wainwright
John Heard              Sheriff Dozier
Kimberly Elise          Pearl Farmer
Nate Parker             Henry Lowe
Justice Leak            Harland Osbourne
Denzel Whitaker         James Farmer, Jr.
Gina Ravera             Ruth Tolson
Jurnee Smollett         Samantha Booke
Devyn A. Tyler          Helen Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery      Deputy
Jackson Walker          Pig Owner
Tim Parati              Pig Farmer
Glen Powell Jr          Harvard Debater #1
Brian Smiar             Harvard Dean
Damien Leake (II)       Wilson
Gordon Daniels          Paul Quinn Debate Judge

Directed by:            Denzel Washington
Produced by:            Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, David Crockett


Inspired by a true story, "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, 
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.

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A controversial figure, challenging the social mores of the time, Professor Melvin Tolson (Washington) 
used unconventional and ferocious teaching methods to shape a debate team at Wiley College, a small 
African American university in Texas during the 1930s. Fighting against all odds and paving their way 
to success, the team reaches a pivotal moment when they are faced with one of their greatest challenges 
yet… going up against Harvard University’s critically acclaimed national championship debate team.

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Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," 
is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine 
work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated 
season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with 
an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a 
female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a 
lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.