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

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BOX OFFICE

Estimated budget:

$15 million

U.S. Box office:

$30,236,407

Foreign Box office:

N/A

Worldwide Sales:

$30,236,407

Widest Release:

1,290 Theaters