The Great Debaters [WS]

The Great Debaters [WS]

Director: Denzel Washington Cast: Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
, Nate Parker
Nate Parker
, Denzel Whitaker
Denzel Whitaker
, Jermaine Williams
Jermaine Williams
Denzel Washington
The Great Debaters [WS]

The Great Debaters [WS]

Director: Denzel Washington Cast: Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
, Nate Parker
Nate Parker
, Denzel Whitaker
Denzel Whitaker
, Jermaine Williams
Jermaine Williams
Denzel Washington

DVD (Wide Screen)

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Overview

Drawing inspiration from the true story of a temperamental debate coach who molded the students of a small East Texas college into a formidable team that gave even Harvard's elite squad a run for their money, Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters features the director himself as the ambitious educator, and Forest Whitaker as the resentful father of a student whose loyalties now lie almost exclusively with his coach. Melvin B. Tolson (Washington) is the kind of educator who truly recognizes the remarkable power of knowledge. An outspoken Wiley College professor who boldly challenged the discriminatory Jim Crow laws of the 1930s, Tolson's recognizes that his young debate students possess the spark of a new generation. Convinced that they could invoke great change if given the confidence and tools needed to do so, the tireless educator implores his students to take responsibility for the future while furtively attempting to protect them from his clandestine role as an organizer for the Southern Tenant Farmers Union. Chief among Tolson's promising young students is a 14-year-old prodigy named James Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker). Farmer's father, James Sr. (Forest Whitaker), is a renowned scholar and an important presence in the emerging student's life. Yet despite his formidable reputation, James Sr. has not yet learned how to truly harness the power of knowledge through action and assertion. James Jr. has seen the raving effects of racism all around him, and longs to live in a future where no one must be in fear simply because of the color of their skin. Other talented debaters on Tolson's team include fiercely independent student Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), and Samantha Brooke (Jurnee Smollett) -- the first ever female ever to join the Wiley College debate team. While most educators may not have recognized the remarkable potential of assembling such a disparate team, Tolson's unique vision truly set him apart from the pack as the team begins to experience a series of consecutive victories on their road to challenging Harvard at the National Championships.

Product Details

Release Date: 02/01/2019
UPC: 0796019810708
Original Release: 2007
Rating: PG-13
Source: Weinstein Company
Region Code: 1
Presentation: [Wide Screen]
Sound: [Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language: English
Time: 2:04:00
Sales rank: 60,732

Special Features

Deleted scenes; The Great Debaters: An historical perspective; "That's What My Baby Likes," music video; "My Soul Is a Witness," music video

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Denzel Washington Melvin B. Tolson
Nate Parker Henry Lowe
Denzel Whitaker James Farmer Jr.,Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Jermaine Williams Hamilton Burgess
Gina Ravera Ruth Tolson
John Heard Sheriff Dozier
Kimberly Elise Pearl Farmer
Devyn Tyler Helen Farmer
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 No. 1
Brad Watkins Harvard Debater No. 2
Brian Smiar Harvard Dean
Damien Leake Wilson
Gordon Danniels Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Bonnie Johnson Dr. Jennings
Charissa Allen Benita
Michael Beasley Trudell
George Wilson Samuel
Fahnlohnee Harris Clementine
J.D. Evermore Captain Wainwright
Sharon Jones Lila
Frank Ridley Security Guard
Jeremiah Kissel Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate
Jack Radosta White Man at Lynching
Marcus Lyle Brown Howard Debater #1,Howard Debater #1
Jurnee Smollett-Bell Samantha Booke
Denzel Actor
Voltaire Rico Sterling Paul Quinn Debater #1
Steve Rider Paul Quinn Debater #2
Gordon Daniels Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Donny Boaz Oklahoma City College Debater #1
Sam Whisnant Oklahoma City College Debater #2
Gary Mathis Enormous Man
Harold Evans William Taylor
Kelvin Payton Joseph
Southey Blanton White Labor Organizer
Michael Mattison White Sharecropper #1
Jeff Braun White Sharecropper #2
Milton R. Gipson Prairie View Professor
Alvin Youngblood Hart Juke Joint Musician #1
Dominique Flemons Juke Joint Musician #2
Justin Robinson Juke Joint Musician #3
Rhiannon Giddens Juke Joint Musician #4
Ahmad Powell Fisk Professor
Gregory Nicotero Puppeteer
Gino Crognale Puppeteer
Michael Deak Puppeteer
Alex Diaz Puppeteer
Gavin Greenaway Conductor
Peter Golub Composer
James Newton Howard Composer
John Newton Howard Composer

Technical Credits
Denzel Washington Director
Denise Chamian Casting
Jack Lynch Special Effects
Joe Roth Producer
Kate Forte Producer
Oprah Winfrey Producer
Robert Eisele Screenwriter
Stephen Pope Stunts
Todd Black Producer
Jeffrey Porro Screenwriter
David Crockett Executive Producer
Gregg Brazzel Stunts
Russell Towery Stunts
Robert Powell Stunts
Jim Henry Stunts
Kevin Beard Stunts
Thirl Haston Stunts
Jack Little Stunts
Bob Weinstein Executive Producer,Executive Producer
Alan Rawlins Key Grip
Eric Norris Stunts
Bobby Beckles Stunts
Lex Geddings Stunts
Guss Williams Stunts
Tim Antwine Stunts
Joe Williams Stunts
Willie Burton Sound/Sound Designer
Dorian Cheah Sound/Sound Designer
David Bomba Producer
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