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 70 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 2 videos ) |
          |
  |
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 moreUser Comments:
The Great Denzels 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: | |||
| Chad Boldini | ... | Harvard Debate Attendee (uncredited) |
 | Roger Dillingham Jr. | ... | Upscale Traveler (uncredited) |
| Hevin Hampton | ... | Bar Patron (uncredited) |
 | Tarek Moussa | ... | Harvard Student (uncredited) |
 | Jason Mulcahy | ... | Harvard Student (uncredited) |
 | Donald Warnock | ... | The Chief Harvard Judge (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 | |
| Andrea Bowman | .... | hair stylist | |
| Nikki I Brown | .... | makeup artist | |
| 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 | |
| Janice Hudson | .... | hair stylist | |
| Linda Lazar | .... | makeup artist | |
| Gregory Nicotero | .... | special makeup effects artist (as Greg Nicotero) | |
| Denise Pugh-Ruiz | .... | first assistant makeup artist | |
| Kenneth Walker | .... | department head hair stylist | |
| Andrea Young | .... | hair stylist | |
Production Management | |||
| Kelly Carmichael | .... | executive in charge of production | |
| Carla Gardini | .... | executive in charge of production | |
| Michael Jackman | .... | executive in charge of post-production | |
| Brian McNulty | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Valerie Bleth Sharp | .... | production supervisor | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| George Bott | .... | additional second assistant director | |
| Natalie S. Brown | .... | dga trainee | |
| Greg Hale | .... | second assistant director | |
| Kali Harrison | .... | second second assistant director | |
| Tom Martin | .... | additional second assistant director | |
| Jono Oliver | .... | first assistant director | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Jack Lynch | .... | special effects supervisor | |
| Lino Stavole | .... | special effects technician: mold department, K.N.B Effects Group | |
| Bob Trevino | .... | special effects technician | |
| Jeffery D. Woodrel | .... | special effects coordinator | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Brian McNulty | .... | visual effects producer | |
Stunts | |||
| Kevin Beard | .... | stunt performer | |
| Bobby Beckles | .... | stunts | |
| Gregg Brazzel | .... | stunts | |
| Lex D. Geddings | .... | stunts | |
| Jim Henry | .... | stunts | |
| Eric Norris | .... | stunts | |
| Stephen A. Pope | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Robert Powell | .... | stunt double: Denzel Washington | |
| Steve Ritzi | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Russell Towery | .... | stunts | |
| Joe Williams | .... | stunt double | |
Casting Department | |||
| Matt Bouldry | .... | casting assistant | |
| Angela Demo | .... | casting associate | |
| Chris Gray | .... | location casting | |
| Tracy Kilpatrick | .... | location casting | |
| Marisa Kushner | .... | extras casting: Boston | |
| Carolyn Pickman | .... | location casting | |
| Aileen Vicari | .... | extras casting assistant | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Gayle Anderson | .... | wardrobe assistant | |
| Yvonne Bastidos | .... | set costumer | |
| Toby Bronson | .... | costumer | |
| Rosa Colón | .... | costumer | |
| Hillary Derby | .... | costumer | |
| Mitzi Haralson | .... | set costumer | |
| Dana Kay Hart | .... | costume supervisor | |
| Rebecca Hofherr | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Alanna Keenan | .... | costume production assistant | |
| Chris Love | .... | costume production assistant | |
| Alyson MacInnis | .... | costumer | |
| Meriwether Nichols | .... | set costumer | |
| Marienne O'Brien | .... | additional costumer | |
| Frank Perry Rose | .... | costumer: Mr. Washington (as Frank Rose) | |
| Roric Ruegsegger | .... | additional costumer | |
| Ellen Ryba | .... | key costumer: Los Angeles | |
| Giselle Spence | .... | head seamstress | |
| Jodie Stern | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Paul St. John | .... | costumer | |
| Jessica L. Therrien | .... | costume assistant | |
| Susan Thomas | .... | costumer | |
| Danny Vick | .... | additional costumer | |
| Rachel A. Walker | .... | set costumer | |
| Taryn Walsh | .... | costumer | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Geraud Brisson | .... | additional editor | |
| Curtis Lindersmith | .... | digital intermediate editor | |
| Yvan Lucas | .... | colorist: Efilm | |
| Christian Prejza | .... | digital intermediate producer | |
| Lee Wimer | .... | color timer | |
Music Department | |||
| Chris P. Bacon | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Maya Beiser | .... | musician: cello solo | |
| Christine Bergren | .... | music legal and clearance | |
| Hugh Burns | .... | musician: guitar | |
| Eddie Delena | .... | music recordist | |
| Dave Holden | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Joel Iwataki | .... | music scoring mixer | |
| Todd Kasow | .... | music editor | |
| Eric Lewis | .... | composer: additional music | |
| Chris Lord | .... | score preparation | |
| Barbara McDermott | .... | assistant music editor | |
| Julia Newmann | .... | orchestrator | |
| John Parricelli | .... | musician: guitar | |
| G. Marq Roswell | .... | music supervisor | |
| Pamela J. Sollie | .... | score coordinator | |
| Sean Stolper | .... | additional music clearances | |
| Adam Swart | .... | music consultant | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | score co-producer | |
| Stuart Michael Thomas | .... | technical score advisor | |
| Oscar Zambrano | .... | music engineer | |
| Brad Dechter | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Bobby Anderson | .... | picture car coordinator | |
| John DeVay | .... | fuel truck driver | |
| Kim Magruder | .... | driver | |
| Lori Maxwell | .... | transportation dispatcher | |
| Ted Moser | .... | transportation coordinator | |
| Justin Nance | .... | transportation co-captain | |
| Beverly Reeves | .... | driver | |
| Hank Van Apeldoorn | .... | driver: set dressing | |
Production CompaniesDistributors
- Alliance Films (2007) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Golden Village Entertainment (2008) (Singapore) (theatrical)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
- Weinstein Company, The (2007) (USA) (all media)
- 300 Ninjas (visual effects)
- Pacific Title and Art Studio (visual effects)
- Pacific Title and Art Studio (opticals)
- 424 Post sound post-production
- Atlantic Records soundtrack
- Bender ET GFCI shock protection provided by
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment camera car
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment camera cranes
- Chapman / Leonard Studio Equipment dollies
- EFilm digital intermediate
- Movie Movers cast trailers
- Movie Movers hair and make-up trailers
- Movie Movers star trailers
- Movie Movers transportation
- On Tour Productions transportation services
- Rockbottom Rentals cell phone rentals
- Rockbottom Rentals junxion box rentals
- Rockbottom Rentals walkie rentals
- Urban Marketing Corporation of America (UMCA) field publicity
- Varèse Sarabande score album
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
126 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreMOVIEmeter: 
29% since last week
why?
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
On December 19, 2007, Denzel Washington announced a $1 million dollar donation to Wiley College so they could re-establish their debate team. moreGoofs:
Factual errors: In the scenes of the train, the order of the cars is wrong. The combine is placed between the coach and the observation car, with its baggage compartment to the rear of the train. James Farmer Jr. is shown running from the coach to the observation platform as the train leaves the station. This would not be possible as he would not be allowed through the baggage compartment with the train in this configuration. Common practice was to place the combine at the front of the train with its baggage compartment oriented toward the front of the train. moreQuotes:
Dr. James Farmer, Sr.: [after Tolson is unjustly captured and imprisoned] Since you have no evidence, I suggest you let him go.Sheriff Dozier: Are you threatening me, boy?
Dr. James Farmer, Sr.: No, sir. I wouldn't do that. But I cannot speak for those people outside.
[points toward the riotous mob gathered outside the sheriff's office]
more
Soundtrack:
Rock and Rye moreFAQ
What is the name of the marshland town in Texas where the roadhouse was?more
In his sophomore effort, actor-director Denzel Washington has created one of the best films of the year, The Great Debaters. Never trying to be the cliché coming of age tale of student-teacher relationship that becomes like a bad aftertaste like past efforts, as Mona Lisa Smile; the film takes a high road to transform its narrative into a beautiful canvas for Washington to paint on like forgotten masterpieces like Stand and Deliver and Dead Poet's Society. Adapted from a Tony Scherman article by Robert Eisele and Jeffrey Porro, the film follows an astonishing pace and never forcing anything down the audience's throat rather, uses images and manifestations for its armor.
Washington's achievement here is pulling the performances of this new, unknown young actors. Denzel Whitaker as the innocent, curious James Jr. is wonderful in exposition of character and gives the best child performance of the year. At 17, young Whitaker should have no problem coming into his own as a great young leading man in the future. Nate Parker in a momentous breakthrough performance indulges the audience as Henry, the angry young college student dealing with the inequalities of African-Americans in the South. In the end it's the tenacious performance by the beautiful Jurnee Smollett that holds the emotional premise of the film together. Not only dealing the racial barrier, but the barrier of being a woman, a woman running away from her past and trying to settle into a world dominated by the differences of her own. Smollett's debate speeches are felt with every word, every expression, and every influential command. Smollett's performance is the ignored performance worthy of consideration for awards of 2007.
Not expecting too much from last year's Oscar winner Forest Whitaker probably helped him in watching the film. Whitaker reminds the viewer of how great he was for years before The Last King of Scotland. This is a true superior work on the actor's resume. So how Denzel Washington do in directing himself? Not glossing as much as Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner past works, Washington does an admirable effort and takes the supporting role (yes it's supporting) and acts as the film's right hand man. Adding his charisma, potency, and veteran thespian persona, the film is a success.
In terms of Oscar's chances, costume designer Sharen Davis nominated for her designs in Ray and Dreamgirls is worthy of citation. David J. Bomba's production design is quite easy on the eye and captures the era of tyranny and persecution. With the potential to be a late surge to the Academy Awards race, The Great Debaters delivers on every level encompassing the richness of love, the evil of oppression, and the beauty of triumph.
Grade: ****/****