The Great Debaters

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. In their pursuit for excellence, Tolson's debate team receives a ground-breaking invitation to debate Harvard University's championship team.

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Release Date: December 25, 2007
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 123 min.
Distributor(s): MGM Distribution Company
Tagline: When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.

Director:
Denzel Washington

Writer(s):
Robert Eisele - Screenplay
Robert Eisele - Story by
Jeffrey Porro - Story by

Producer(s):
Kate Forte - Producer
Todd Black - Producer
Joe Roth - Producer
Oprah Winfrey - Producer

Movie Casts:
Denzel Washington - Mel Tolson
Forest Whitaker
Jermaine Williams - Hamilton Burgess
J. D. Evermore - Captain Wainwright
John Heard - Sheriff
Kimberly Elise
Nate Parker - Henry Lowe
Justice Leak - Harland Osbourne
Jermaine Williams - Hamilton Burgess
Jurnee Smollett
Denzel Whitaker
Gina Ravera - Ruth Tolson