THE GREAT DEBATERS
(2007)
Run time: 2h 3min | Biography, Drama | Released: December 25, 2007 (USA)
Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debators, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard's prestigious debate champions.
Director: Denzel Washington
Writer(s): Robert Eisele
Starring: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker