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Product Description
A controversial figure, challenging the social mores of the time, Professor Melvin Tolson (Washington) used unconventional and ferocious teaching methods to shape a debate team at Wiley College, a small African American university in Texas during the 1930s. Fighting against all odds and paving their way to success, the team reaches a pivotal moment when they are faced with one of their greatest challenges yet... going up against Harvard University's critically acclaimed national championship debate team.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is Denzel Washington at his best with the added bonus of him being the director. This is a true story about the debate team of Wiley College. Denzel Washington is the Professor who picks and leads the team every year. For the year in question he chooses Samantha, Henry and James Farmer Jr the latter of whom is only 14yrs old. He goes about training them to become an unstoppable force but life is not just about school and debates in the deep south. Black oppression, violence and lynching feature in all their lives and seep into their ties to each other and their families.
This is a movie about inner strength, belief and determination getting you to a better place and a better world. Utterly wonderful movie especially after finding out it is based on true characters who went on to achieve much.
This is a movie about inner strength, belief and determination getting you to a better place and a better world. Utterly wonderful movie especially after finding out it is based on true characters who went on to achieve much.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
We saw this film on a flight from the US, and were very moved by it. Denzel Washington is at his most visionary; unyielding in his vision of bringing equal rights to people of the Southern States of America in the 1930's. The film shows him inspiring a generation of black students to find their voices, to stand up and be heard in a series of intellectual debates with other universities - eventually, with "anglo-saxon" universitites; culminating in the most challenging of all. This is a true story; the uncompromising choices the students have to make to hold onto their own sense of worth and justice is riveting. Wonderfully acted, and directed by Denzel Washington himself, in a fine role. In the tradition of 'Dead Poets Society' - but much more profoundly based.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It is 1935, and at a small Negro college in Texas, Professor Tolson (Denzel Washington) is coaching the debate team. Its members include a sweet girl, a ladies' man, and a 14-year old whiz-kid. The students blossom under Tolson's leadership, but his extra-curricular activities may be a problem; at night he is secretly unionizing the share croppers, and the sheriff doesn't like it one bit.
I never expected a movie about a debate team to be intense, scary, or exhilarating, but "The Great Debaters" is all that and more. There are two stories here - one is the debate team and the other is life under segregation; both stories are compelling. The acting is uniformly outstanding; Forrest Whitaker and Washington support some lesser-known, but extremely talented young stars. We get to know their characters and care about them as they overcome their various obstacles to become the top Negro college debate team in the country.
The injustices of segregation are vividly and heartbreakingly portrayed; it was quite a sobering look at the legalized cruelty of that time and place. The fact that this is a true story makes it all the more inspiring. Heartily recommended.
I never expected a movie about a debate team to be intense, scary, or exhilarating, but "The Great Debaters" is all that and more. There are two stories here - one is the debate team and the other is life under segregation; both stories are compelling. The acting is uniformly outstanding; Forrest Whitaker and Washington support some lesser-known, but extremely talented young stars. We get to know their characters and care about them as they overcome their various obstacles to become the top Negro college debate team in the country.
The injustices of segregation are vividly and heartbreakingly portrayed; it was quite a sobering look at the legalized cruelty of that time and place. The fact that this is a true story makes it all the more inspiring. Heartily recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
G for Great
Ive always wanted to watch this film I finally decided to purchase this even though 2 weeks after purchasing it came on film4. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Leah Knight
Uplifting
Oprah Winfrey produced a great film here. If you are looking for a film to watch with your children, then this is the one. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Bargain Hunter
A classic
I have always liked Denzel Washington and have enjoyed all his movies to date.
Great Debaters is probably the best I have seen in that it combines his great acting... Read more
Great Debaters is probably the best I have seen in that it combines his great acting... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anthony Williams
A great story, well told
Much has been filmed and more has been written about the civil rights movement, yet this film manages to bring the issues to new life. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Enquiring consumer
Great Debaters [DVD]
Inspirational and motivational movie. Not seen any recent movies that encourages educational excellence. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nany Q
You Have To See This Film
I am a BIG Denzel Washington fan, I have been waiting a very long time to see this film, it has only ever been released as a Region 1 film (America) and finally it has been... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Miss L. Bloor
Great
It is such a sad thing that this film did not get a wider cinematic distribution. This is a fantastic film and I would recommend that every home should have it.
Published 11 months ago by Tony Laforce
The Name Denzel Washington says it ALL
I love Denzel! Great story line and it was based on a true story. Dvd and packaging in excellent condition. Absolutely no complaints.
Published 13 months ago by bookbuyer
Debate let's get it on
I loved this movie very uplifting. Makes you realise how lucky we are now with freedom of speech, without lynching involved. Read more
Published 14 months ago by angiedread
Fantastic Film
What a great film. It had excellent an story line, 1st class cast and strong acting. Sometimes we take all the opportunites we have around us for granted. Read more
Published 15 months ago by mel
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