The Great Debaters

Directed by Denzel Washington
PG-13
2007    2h 6mDrama, Biography,
7.580%86%
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.

Where to Watch The Great Debaters

Cast of The Great Debaters

  • Denzel WhitakerJames Farmer Jr.
  • Denzel WashingtonMelvin B. Tolson / Director
  • Nate ParkerHenry Lowe
  • Jurnee SmollettSamantha Booke
  • Forest WhitakerDr. James Farmer Sr.
  • Kimberly ElisePearl Farmer
  • Jermaine WilliamsHamilton Burgess
  • Gina RaveraRuth Tolson
  • John HeardSheriff Dozier
  • Devyn A. TylerHelen Farmer
  • Trenton McClain BoydNathaniel Farmer
  • Ritchie MontgomeryDeputy
  • Jackson WalkerPig Owner
  • Tim ParatiPig Farmer
  • Robert X. GolphinDunbar Reed
  • Justice LeakHarland Osbourne
  • Glen PowellHarvard Debater #1
  • Brad WatkinsHarvard Debater #2
  • Brian SmiarHarvard Dean
  • Damien LeakeWilson
  • Voltaire SterlingPaul Quinn Debater #1
  • Stephen RiderPaul Quinn Debater #2
  • Gordon DannielsPaul Quinn Debate Judge
  • Donny BoazOklahoma City College Debater #1
  • Samuel Elliott WhisnantOklahoma City College Debater #2
  • Bonnie JohnsonDr. Jennings
  • Charissa AllenBenita
  • Michael BeasleyTrudell
  • Gary MathisEnormous Man
  • George WilsonSamuel
  • Fahnlohnee R. HarrisClementine
  • Harold EvansWilliam Taylor
  • J.D. EvermoreCaptain Wainwright
  • Sharon JonesLila
  • Kelvin PaytonJoseph
  • Southey BlantonWhite Labor Organizer
  • Michael MattisonWhite Sharecropper #1
  • Jeff BraunWhite Sharecropper #2
  • Milton R. GipsonPrairie View Professor
  • Frank RidleySecurity Guard
  • Jeremiah KisselRadio Announcer at Harvard Debate
  • Jack RadostaWhite Man at Lynching
  • Alvin Youngblood HartJuke Joint Musician #1
  • Dom FlemonsJuke Joint Musician #2
  • Justin RobinsonJuke Joint Musician #3
  • Rhiannon GiddensJuke Joint Musician #4
  • Ahmad PowellFisk Professor
  • Marcus Lyle BrownHoward Debater #1
  • Gary MattisEnormous Man
  • Kevin BeardKlansman at Lynching (uncredited)
  • Robert EiseleWriter
  • Todd BlackProducer
  • Kate ForteProducer
  • Joe RothProducer
  • Oprah WinfreyProducer

The Great Debaters Ratings & Reviews

Watch The Great Debaters Videos

  • The Great Debaters
    The Great DebatersTrailer
  • Tolson's Message (Exclusive)
    Tolson's Message (Exclusive)Scene

 

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