The Great Debaters
When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.
7.3(725) 2007-12-25 126 minDrama
The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African-American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.
DirectorDenzel Washington
ProducerKate Forte
ProducerOprah Winfrey
ProducerJoe Roth
ProducerTodd Black
Original Music ComposerJames Newton Howard
Original Music ComposerPeter Golub
ScreenplayRobert Eisele
Cast & characters
Denzel Whitaker
as James Farmer Jr.
Denzel Washington
as Melvin B. Tolson
Nate Parker
as Henry Lowe
Jurnee Smollett
as Samantha Booke
Forest Whitaker
as Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Kimberly Elise
as Pearl Farmer
Jermaine Williams
as Hamilton Burgess
Gina Ravera
as Ruth Tolson
John Heard
as Sheriff Dozier
Devyn A. Tyler
as Helen Farmer
No photo
Trenton McClain Boyd
as Nathaniel Farmer
Ritchie Montgomery
as Deputy
Jackson Walker
as Pig Owner
Tim Parati
as Pig Farmer
Robert X. Golphin
as Dunbar Reed
Justice Leak
as Harland Osbourne
Glen Powell
as Harvard Debater #1
No photo
Brad Watkins
as Harvard Debater #2
Brian Smiar
as Harvard Dean
Damien Leake
as Wilson
No photo
Voltaire Sterling
as Paul Quinn Debater #1
Stephen Rider
as Paul Quinn Debater #2
Gordon Danniels
as Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Donny Boaz
as Oklahoma City College Debater #1
