vincentlynch-moonoi My general rule is not to review films that already have at least 100 reviews here on IMDB. On rare occasions I make an exception.We've certainly all seen bad movies. And good movies. And even great movies. And once in a while a movie comes along that's truly inspirational. This movie is inspirational. And, with a few adjustments to history, it's true. It's the story of a debating team from a "Negro" college in Texas which goes on to national acclaim. The film was produced by Ophra Winfrey (among others), and directed by Denzel Washington. I give Denzel great credit for what he brought together here.Denzel Washington not only directed the film, but starred in it...sort of. I actually would call it more of an ensemble cast. But Washington is excellent here as the professor who leads the debating team. as Melvin B. Tolson, who became a noted poet and author (among other things). I've never been impressed with Forest Whitaker (who plays the father of James Farmer, Jr. here), but this time I thought his performance was quite good. Denzel Whitaker, a young actor and rapper plays a thoughtful role here as James Farmer, Jr., the man who later founded the Congress Of Racial Equality, and is one of the debaters here. I thought he did well here, but I'll need to see him in some other things before I can decide whether he is a steady actor (he is in "Black Panther", which happens to be in theaters as I write this). When I first saw Nate Parker starring in "Birth Of A Nation", I was not impressed. Here, as one of the debaters, I was impressed. Jurnee Smollett (brother of Jussie) plays the female debater here. I think it's a decent performance, but perhaps the accent was slathered on a bit heavy. I've seen her in other things (such as "Underground"), and she is quite a good actress.I won't relate the whole story here, but I will point out a couple of things. First, the segment where the debaters and their coach run into a lynching is quite jarring, but very well done. I don't why Denzel Washington, as director, changed the climactic debate from the University Of California to Harvard...the deviation from actual history made no sense to me. I do fault the film for not explaining how Denzel's character does show up at Harvard, when he was legally prevented from leaving Texas. It could have been explained in about 30 seconds.But that's nitpicking. This is a truly fine film.

Thanos Karagioras "The Great Debaters" is a movie that is based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas who coaches the debate team of the college. This debate team it's going to be undefeated for a long time and that will be something that will make the University if Harvard to invite them to debate with them. That was the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges.It is a very good movie that show us the true face of racial racism and how that effects the relationships between the people. In this movie I liked the performances of Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson, Forest Whitaker as Dr. James Farmer, Denzel Whitaker as James Farmer Jr. and Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Samantha Booke."The Great Debaters" is a movie that everyone have to see it and try to understand the situation of time (1935).

Lloyd Bayer Two of society's evils publicly condemned by Oprah Winfrey are violence against women and racial oppression. Unsurprisingly, Harpo Productions' (Oprah spelt backwards) latest offering is a period drama that not only speaks about racial violence, but the courage of real people and what they did to overcome it.Set in 1935 Texas, a time before public swimming pools and colored swimming pools, a time when it was not derogatory to call African-Americans "Negros", Wiley College professor Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) assembles a team of young black Americans in preparation for the annual inter-college debate competition. Comprising of James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) and Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), the team quickly gains momentum with an undefeated winning streak. Populated by the traditionally black community of rural Texas, Wiley College enters the championship league, but must now face their greatest advisory – an all-white team from the acclaimed Harvard University. But even before they have a fair chance, Tolson faces allegations of stirring political unrest as a black communist, leaving the team to go on without their coach.The outcome of the final debate, though a tear-jerker, is just one amongst various highpoints in this remarkable film. At the very core is the bleeding cry for truth and justice – quintessentially manifested by outstanding portrayals from Farmer Jr, Parker and Smollett, not forgetting Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker (as James Farmer Sr.) in fiery supporting roles. Adapted from Tony Scherman 's journal on American Legacy, Robert Eisele's screenplay is a driving force with just the right pace and depth that induces a strong yearning to learn about an untold but dark story before America's so called 'Golden Years'. Borrowing from actual events, Eisele's premise is a juxtaposition between Gandhi's Satyagraha and Martin Luther King's Civil Rights movement, making this not just a true story, but the biopic of a man that would become a modern American poet - Melvin Beaunorus Tolson.At a time when it is politically incorrect to call an ethnic race by the color of skin or traditional sustenance, "The Great Debaters" is a film with a story that boldly refuses to remain hidden within the forgotten pages of history. In comparison, this film could have been executed with the darker tone of "Mississippi Burning" or perhaps even a lighter shade similar to "The Help". In essence, it remains an intellectual masterpiece with a purpose – a stark reminder that racism still exists. As does slavery.By his inherent nature of on-screen charisma, spit-fire dialogue and tenacious characterization, Denzel Washington is a cinematic marvel and nothing short of a silver screen incendiary. But if these are his traits as a skilled actor, then this film is all the more inspiring, encouraging and uplifting because "The Great Debaters" also benefits from having Denzel Washington as the director. Oh yes, Oprah Winfrey would be proud!

Tss5078 The Great Debaters is another inspirational tale of the oppressed, but unlike most, this film has the distinction of being pretty close to historically accurate. I was hesitant to see this film, because who wants to watch a film about a debate team? Denzel Washington, however, happens to be one of my favorite actors, so I gave it a shot and learned quite a bit. The debate team was just an instrument, and was comprised of four people who would all go on to play significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement. The films follows award winning author, Melvin Tolson (Washington), on his journey to create the best African-American College debate team in the country, a team that would eventually go on to challenge the debate team at Harvard University. Everything about this movie was extremely powerful and well done. From the language to the graphic imagery to the story and the performances I was completely blown away by this film. I went into it thinking, if it's bad I'll turn if off after a half-hour. Now, I'm thinking about watching it again tomorrow. This is the way historical films should be done, The Great Debaters was fair, accurate, and just a great film!