The Great Debaters | Hitchens Virtual Theatre

Inspired by a true story, The Great Debaters chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson?played by Denzel Washington?a brilliant but volatile debate coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of students into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the 1930s and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods, as well as his radical political views.

THE GREAT DEBATERS is inspired by the remarkable story of Wiley College?s winning debate team of the early 1930?s. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, THE GREAT DEBATERS chronicles the journey of the Wiley College debate team?coached by the brilliant and passionate professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington). It was Tolson?s recognition that the power of knowledge is the greatest advantage of all, which brought these students from underdogs to victors in a time when more than the odds were against them.

Production Year:

2007

Released:

Tue, 05/13/2008

Run Time Minutes:

123

Rating:

PG-13

Genres:

Drama

Trailer:

Yes

Format Aspect Ratio:

2.35-Super Wide Screen

Resolution:

480x720 LowRez

More Information:

HD-1

Audio Language:

English

Audio Format:

Dolby Digital

Audio Channels:

5.1

Actors:

Denzel Washington - Melvin B. Tolson

Actors:

Nate Parker - Henry Lowe

Actors:

Jurnee Smollett - Samantha Booke

Actors:

Denzel Whitaker - James Farmer, Jr.

Actors:

Jermaine Williams - Hamilton Burgess

Actors:

Forest Whitaker - Dr. James Farmer, Sr.

Actors:

Gina Ravera - Ruth Tolson

Actors:

John Heard - Sheriff Dozier

Actors:

Kimberly Elise - Pearl Farmer

Actors:

Devyn Tyler - Helen Farmer

Actors:

Trenton McClain Boyd - Nathaniel Farmer

Actors:

Ritchie Montgomery - Deputy

Actors:

Jackson Walker - Pig Owner

Actors:

Tim Parati - Pig Farmer

Actors:

Robert X. Golphin - Dunbar Reed

Actors:

Justice Leak - Harland Osbourne

Actors:

Glen Powell, Jr. - Harvard Debater #1

Actors:

Brad Watkins - Harvard Debater #2

Actors:

Brian Smiar - Harvard Dean

Actors:

Damien Leake - Wilson

Actors:

Voltaire Rico Sterling - Paul Quinn Debater #1

Actors:

Stephen Rider - Paul Quinn Debater #2

Actors:

Gordon Danniels - Paul Quinn Debate Judge

Actors:

Donny Boaz - Oklahoma City College Debater #1

Actors:

Sam Whisnant - Oklahoma City College Debater #2

Actors:

Bonnie Johnson - Dr. Jennings

Actors:

Charissa Allen - Benita

Actors:

Michael Beasley - Trudell

Actors:

Gary Mathis - Enormous Man

Actors:

George Wilson - Samuel

Actors:

Fahnlohnee Harris - Clementine

Actors:

Harold X. Evans - William Taylor

Actors:

J. D. Evermore - Captain Wainwright

Actors:

Sharon Jones - Lila

Actors:

Kelvin Payton - Joseph

Actors:

Southey Blanton - White Labor Organizer

Actors:

Michael Mattison - White Sharecropper #1

Actors:

Jeff Braun - White Sharecropper #2

Actors:

Milton R. Gipson - Prairie View Professor

Actors:

Frank Ridley - Security Guard

Actors:

Jeremiah Kissel - Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate

Actors:

Jack Radosta - White Man at Lynching

Actors:

Marcus Lyle Brown - Howard Debater #1

Actors:

Alvin "Youngblood" Hart - Juke Joint Musician #1

Actors:

Dominique Flemons - Juke Joint Musician #2

Actors:

Justin Robinson - Juke Joint Musician #3

Actors:

Rhiannon Giddens - Juke Joint Musician #4

Actors:

Ahmad Powell - Fisk Professor