The Great Debaters
2007 · 2 hr 6 min
PG-137.580%86%72%
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.
Directed By
Denzel WashingtonWritten By
Robert EiseleStudio
The Weinstein Company, Harpo Films, Marshall ProductionCast of The Great Debaters
Denzel WashingtonMelvin B. Tolson
Nate ParkerHenry Lowe
Forest WhitakerDr. James Farmer Sr.
Denzel WhitakerJames Farmer Jr.
Jurnee SmollettSamantha Booke
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
Georges 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
The Great Debaters Reviews
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The Great Debaters
The Great Debaters: Tolson's Message (Exclusive)