SHOP GREAT...
IMDb >
The Great Debaters (2007)
![[Add to My Movies]](http://i.media-imdb.com/images//tn15/button_addtomymovies.gif){kind=small}
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Great Debaters (2007)
photos
board
trailer
details
| Photos (see all 71 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2) |
          |
  |
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 moreNewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Washington's 'Great Debaters' Leads Image Awards Nominations (From WENN. 10 January 2008)
Depp Top Draw in 2007 (From Studio Briefing. 4 January 2008)
User Comments:
The Beginning of Civil Rights Legislation moreCast
(in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification) | 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 (as Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart) |
| 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: | |||
| Ellen Becker-Gray | ... | Faculty at Harvard Debate (uncredited) |
| Chad Boldini | ... | Harvard Debate Attendee (uncredited) |
 | Roger Dillingham Jr. | ... | Upscale Traveler (uncredited) |
| Hevin Hampton | ... | Bar Patron (uncredited) |
| Patrick Mel Hayes | ... | Harvard Alumni (uncredited) |
 | Tarek Moussa | ... | Harvard Student (uncredited) |
 | Jason Mulcahy | ... | Harvard Student (uncredited) |
| Breon Pugh | ... | Wiley Debater (uncredited) |
 | Donald Warnock | ... | The Chief Harvard Judge (uncredited) |
 | Russell Woron-Simons | ... | Harvard Debate Attendee (uncredited) |
| Adam Zalt | ... | Harvard Student / Navy Sailor (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 | |
| Anneliese Boise | .... | special makeup effects artist: hair (as Anneliese Boies) | |
| Andrea Bowman | .... | hair stylist | |
| Jack Bricker | .... | special makeup effects artist: hair | |
| Nikki I Brown | .... | makeup artist (as Nikki Brown) | |
| 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 (as Latoya Green) | |
| Janice Hudson | .... | hair stylist | |
| Linda Lazar | .... | makeup artist | |
| Gregory Nicotero | .... | special makeup effects artist (as Greg Nicotero) | |
| Denise Pugh-Ruiz | .... | first assistant makeup artist | |
| Kellie Robinson | .... | makeup artist | |
| Kenneth Walker | .... | department head hair stylist | |
| Andrea Young | .... | hair stylist | |
Production Management | |||
| Kelly Carmichael | .... | executive in charge of production: The Weinstein Company | |
| Tim Clawson | .... | executive in charge of physical production: The Weinstein Company | |
| David Crockett | .... | unit production manager | |
| Carla Gardini | .... | executive in charge of production: The Weinstein Company | |
| Michael Jackman | .... | executive in charge of post-production: The Weinstein Company (as Michael A. Jackman) | |
| Eileen Malyszko Lee | .... | executive in charge of physical production: Harpo Fiulms | |
| Jeff Maynard | .... | executive in charge of post-production: The Weinstein Company | |
| Tracy McGrath | .... | executive in charge of physical production: The Weinstein Company | |
| Brian McNulty | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Valerie Bleth Sharp | .... | production supervisor | |
| Jeff Valeri | .... | production supervisor: Boston | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| George Bott | .... | additional second assistant director | |
| Natalie S. Brown | .... | dga trainee (as Natalie Brown) | |
| Greg Hale | .... | second assistant director | |
| Kali Harrison | .... | second second assistant director | |
| Jono Oliver | .... | first assistant director | |
| Eric Yellin | .... | additional key second assistant director: Boston | |
| Tom Martin | .... | additional second assistant director (uncredited) | |
Art Department | |||
| Dean Allison | .... | construction general foreman | |
| John Bankson | .... | property master | |
| Sean Bernard | .... | paint foreman | |
| C. Alan Berry | .... | property assistant | |
| Robert Bowden | .... | gang boss | |
| Dillon Jim Breithaupt | .... | art department assistant | |
| Helen Britten | .... | assistant set decorator | |
| Kathy Brunswick | .... | construction buyer | |
| Eddie Burcham | .... | set dresser (as Ed Burcham) | |
| Scott Childers | .... | construction foreman | |
| Tom Christopher | .... | set dressing gang boss | |
| Diane Davis | .... | construction medic | |
| Kevin Fleming | .... | paint gang boss | |
| Scott Forster | .... | construction foreman: Boston | |
| Patrick Fuhrman | .... | on-set dresser | |
| Shellie Gillespie | .... | art department coordinator | |
| Susanna Glattly | .... | paint foreman | |
| Chad Harris | .... | set dresser | |
| Jerry G. Henery | .... | construction coordinator (as Jerry Henery) | |
| Phillip Joffrion | .... | set dresser | |
| Joey Kent | .... | set dresser | |
| Andree Lago | .... | paint foreman | |
| Steve Laks | .... | gang boss | |
| Elizabeth Mire | .... | set dressing buyer | |
| Larry Misselhorn | .... | greens foreman | |
| Ryan Misselhorn | .... | greensman | |
| Mike Monckton | .... | signwriter | |
| John W. Morgan | .... | stand-by painter (as John Morgan) | |
| Deborah Norris | .... | set dressing assistant (as Deborah R. Norris) | |
| William Nutt | .... | on-set greensman | |
| Cory Parker | .... | set dressing gang boss | |
| James Passanante | .... | paint supervisor | |
| Virle S. Reid | .... | assistant property master (as Virle Reid) | |
| Tommy Samona | .... | lead man | |
| Rob Simons | .... | assistant art director | |
| Gary Thomas | .... | storyboard artist | |
| Gordon Thomas | .... | set dresser | |
| Azhriaz Vanashta | .... | paint gang boss | |
| Paul Wilson | .... | scenic foreman: Boston | |
| Keith Abel | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Adam D. Bouchard | .... | inflatable mannequins wrangler (uncredited) | |
| Gail Briant | .... | scenic gangboss (uncredited) | |
| Debbie Cutler | .... | set decoration buyer (uncredited) | |
| Jennifer Engel | .... | leadman: Boston (uncredited) | |
| Joey Gbur | .... | propmaker (uncredited) | |
| J.D. Jacoby | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Lindanne Lewis | .... | painter (uncredited) | |
| Rebecca McKibben | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| Eric Orr | .... | prop assistant (uncredited) | |
| Adam Roffman | .... | prop assistant: Boston (uncredited) | |
| Christopher Sawtelle | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
| John N. Wood | .... | set dresser (uncredited) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Chris Cera | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| Jeff Edwards | .... | special effects artist | |
| Joe Giles | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| Brian Goehring | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| Steve Hartman | .... | special effects artist | |
| Grady Holder | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| Carey Jones | .... | special effects artist | |
| Jim Leonard | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| Jack Lynch | .... | special effects supervisor | |
| Tony Matijevich | .... | special effects artist (as Anthony Matijavich) | |
| Christina Presita | .... | special effects artist (as Christina Prestia) | |
| Caleb Schneider | .... | special effects artist | |
| Andy Schoneberg | .... | special effects sculptor (as Andy Scghoenberg) | |
| Shannon Shea | .... | special effects shop foreman | |
| Lino Stavole | .... | special effects moldmaker | |
| A.J. Venuto | .... | special effects moldmaker (as AJ Venuto) | |
| David Wogh | .... | special effects mechanic (as Dave Wogh) | |
| Jeffery D. Woodrel | .... | special effects coordinator (as Jeff Woodrel) | |
| Javier Zepeda | .... | special effects sculptor | |
| Bob Trevino | .... | special effects technician (uncredited) | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Brian McNulty | .... | visual effects producer | |
Stunts | |||
| Tim Antwine | .... | stunts | |
| Kevin Beard | .... | stunts | |
| Bobby Beckles | .... | stunts (as Bob Beckles) | |
| Gregg Brazzel | .... | stunts | |
| Lex D. Geddings | .... | stunts | |
| Thirl Haston | .... | stunts | |
| Jim Henry | .... | stunts | |
| Jack Little | .... | stunts | |
| Eric Norris | .... | stunts | |
| Stephen A. Pope | .... | stunt coordinator (as Stephen Pope) | |
| Robert Powell | .... | stunt double: Tolson | |
| Steve Ritzi | .... | stunt coordinator (as Stephen Ritzi) | |
| Russell Towery | .... | stunts | |
| Gus Williams | .... | stunts | |
| Joe Williams | .... | stunts | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| Phil Abeyta | .... | electrician (as Phillip Abeyta) | |
| Tarik Naim Alherimi | .... | best boy rigging electrician | |
| James Babineaux | .... | best boy electric | |
| Bob Bates | .... | balloon light technician | |
| Stephen Beasley | .... | rigging gaffer (as Steve Beasley) | |
| Patrick Bensimmon | .... | additional camera assistant | |
| Giovanni Bommarito | .... | grip | |
| Bryan Booth | .... | electrician | |
| Gina Cassidy | .... | grip | |
| Xiomara Comrie | .... | first assistant camera: "a" camera | |
| Xiomara Comrie | .... | second assistant camera: "a" camera | |
| Jack English | .... | gaffer | |
| Donny Fowler | .... | grip | |
| Dan Furst | .... | video assist operator | |
| Darryl Humber | .... | dolly grip | |
| Gary Kelso | .... | grip | |
| Mark La Bonge | .... | camera operator: "a" camera | |
| Mark La Bonge | .... | steadicam operator | |
| David Lee | .... | still photographer | |
| Sean J. O'Shea | .... | first assistant camera: "b" camera (as Sean O'Shea) | |
| Myron Parran | .... | additional camera assistant | |
| Frank Parrish | .... | additional camera assistant | |
| Simone Perusse | .... | electrician | |
| C. Alan Rawlins | .... | key grip (as Alan Rawlins) | |
| Kerry Rawlins | .... | grip (as Kerry G. Rawlins) | |
| Pamela Rittelmeyer | .... | camera operator: "b" camera | |
| Pamela Rittelmeyer | .... | first assistant camera: "a" camera | |
| Jacob Ross | .... | best boy rigging grip | |
| Edwin Rubio | .... | rigging grip | |
| Ted Sapp | .... | key rigging grip | |
| Riko Schatke | .... | best boy grip | |
| Tiffani L. Stephenson | .... | film loader | |
| Todd Thompson | .... | rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Stephen Thorp | .... | electrician (as Steve Thorp) | |
| Gary Tolbert | .... | aerial cinematographer | |
| Tedd Underwood | .... | balloon technician | |
| Jeremy Webre | .... | grip | |
| Rick Cardillo | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| Mark J. Casey | .... | rigging electric best boy (uncredited) | |
| Robert Clark | .... | grip: Boston (uncredited) | |
| Sean Cruz | .... | balloon light technician (uncredited) | |
| Tim Driscoll | .... | best boy rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Dru Dunnaway | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| Kevin Gazdik | .... | key lighting balloon technician (uncredited) | |
| Eric Goddard | .... | grip: Boston (uncredited) | |
| Gonzalo Gonzalez | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| Dan Hutchinson | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| Brent Swampy Mullins | .... | rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Robert Owen | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| T.J. Sebren | .... | rigging electrician (uncredited) | |
| Randy Tharpe | .... | rigging grip (uncredited) | |
| Steven J. Winslow | .... | aerial camera technician: Wescam camera (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Natalie Ballesteros | .... | casting assistant | |
| Kate Carlin | .... | adr voice casting | |
| Angela Demo | .... | casting associate | |
| Chris Gray | .... | key extras casting (as Christopher Gray) | |
| Christian Juncau | .... | extras casting assistant | |
| Tracy Kilpatrick | .... | location casting | |
| Carolyn Pickman | .... | casting: Boston | |
| Selisa Sirls | .... | extras casting associate | |
| Lamar Williams | .... | extras casting assistant | |
| Matt Bouldry | .... | casting assistant (uncredited) | |
| Marisa Kushner | .... | extras casting: Boston (uncredited) | |
| Aileen Vicari | .... | extras casting assistant (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Gayle Anderson | .... | wardrobe production assistant | |
| Yvonne Bastidos | .... | set costumer | |
| Toby Bronson | .... | costumer (as Toby M. Bronson) | |
| Megan Coates | .... | wardrobe production assistant | |
| Renee Dodson | .... | costumer (as Renee Dodson Clapp) | |
| Andree Fortier | .... | costumer | |
| Julia Gombert | .... | wardrobe textile artist | |
| Mitzi Haralson | .... | set costumer | |
| Dana Kay Hart | .... | costume supervisor (as Dana Hart) | |
| Ren Heeralal | .... | costumer | |
| Anaya Kellogg | .... | wardrobe production assistant | |
| Krystle Lamoreaux | .... | costumer | |
| Frances LeCompte | .... | seamstress | |
| Kenneth Lecompte | .... | wardrobe production assistant | |
| Max Newman | .... | wardrobe production assistant | |
| Meriwether Nichols | .... | costumer | |
| Frank Perry Rose | .... | costumer: Mr. Washington (as Frank Rose) | |
| Riki Lin Sabusawa | .... | key costumer (as Riki Sabusava) | |
| Felipe Sanchez | .... | costume illustrator | |
| Giselle Spence | .... | key seamstress (as Gigi Spence) | |
| Liz Staub | .... | costumer | |
| Jodie Stern | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Susan Thomas | .... | costumer | |
| Lauren Wade | .... | costumer | |
| Rachel A. Walker | .... | costumer (as Rachel Walker) | |
| Diah Wymont | .... | additional assistant costume designer | |
| Rosa Colón | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
| Hillary Derby | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
| Rebecca Hofherr | .... | assistant costume designer (uncredited) | |
| Alanna Keenan | .... | costume production assistant (uncredited) | |
| Chris Love | .... | costume production assistant (uncredited) | |
| Alyson MacInnis | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
| Marienne O'Brien | .... | additional costumer (uncredited) | |
| Roric Ruegsegger | .... | additional costumer (uncredited) | |
| Ellen Ryba | .... | key costumer: Los Angeles (uncredited) | |
| Paul St. John | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
| Jessica L. Therrien | .... | costume assistant (uncredited) | |
| Danny Vick | .... | additional costumer (uncredited) | |
| Taryn Walsh | .... | costumer (uncredited) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Geraud Brisson | .... | additional editor | |
| Ian Crockett | .... | post-production coordinator | |
| Mo Henry | .... | negative manager: Efilm | |
| Curtis Lindersmith | .... | digital intermediate editor: Efilm | |
| Yvan Lucas | .... | colorist: Efilm | |
| Allan Marasco | .... | apprentice editor | |
| Christian Prejza | .... | digital intermediate producer: Efilm | |
| Tom Reiser | .... | colorist assistant: Efilm | |
| Lee Wimer | .... | color timer: Efilm | |
| Scott Freeman | .... | digitizer (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Chris P. Bacon | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Maya Beiser | .... | musician: cello solo | |
| Christine Bergren | .... | music legal and clearance | |
| Billy Rivers & The Angelic Voices of Faith | .... | musician: gospel choir | |
| Hugh Burns | .... | musician: guitar | |
| Eddie Delena | .... | song recording engineer (as Eddie Delana) | |
| Geoff Foster | .... | score recordist | |
| Grambling State University Band | .... | musician | |
| Gavin Greenaway | .... | conductor: orchestra | |
| Isobel Griffiths | .... | orchestra contractor | |
| Stephen Hayes | .... | choir director: Wiley College | |
| Dave Holden | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Joel Iwataki | .... | music scoring mixer | |
| Todd Kasow | .... | music editor | |
| Charles Lacy | .... | musical director: Grambling State University Vand | |
| Rachel Levy | .... | executive in charge of music: The Weinstein Company | |
| Charlotte Matthews | .... | assistant orchestra contractor | |
| Barbara McDermott | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Julia Newmann | .... | score assistant | |
| Dr. Larry Pannell | .... | musical director: Grambling State University Band | |
| John Parricelli | .... | musician: guitar | |
| Jeff Powell | .... | song recording engineer | |
| Roger Rhodes | .... | song recording engineer | |
| G. Marq Roswell | .... | music supervisor | |
| Pamela J. Sollie | .... | score coordinator (as Pamela Sollie) | |
| Adam Swart | .... | music researcher | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Rosemary Warren-Green | .... | orchestra leader | |
| Wiley College Choir | .... | musician | |
| Oscar Zambrano | .... | song recording engineer | |
| Brad Dechter | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Eric Lewis | .... | composer: additional music (uncredited) | |
| Chris Lord | .... | score preparation (uncredited) | |
| Sean Stolper | .... | additional music clearances (uncredited) | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | score co-producer (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | ||
| Bobby Anderson | .... | picture car coordinator: Boston (as Bob Anderson) |
| Annette Ansley | .... | driver |
| Johnny B. Antwine | .... | driver |
| David Balsley | .... | driver (as Dave Balsley) |
| Richard Benavidez | .... | driver |
| Adrian Cannon | .... | driver |
| Bret Carroll | .... | driver |
| Richard A. Davis | .... | transportation captain (as Rick Davis) |
| John DeVay | .... | driver (as John Devay) |
| James C. Donahue | .... | transportation captain: Boston (as James Donahue) |
| Juan Echanarria | .... | driver |
| Monte Emery | .... | driver |
| Phil K. Frost | .... | driver |
| David Glavin | .... | driver (as Dave Glavin) |
| John Gregorio | .... | driver |
| Joe Hancock | .... | driver |
| Daniel | ||