The Great Debaters
Character: Preston Whittington
Directed by: Denzel Washington
Written by: Robert Eisele (screenplay), Jeffrey Porro (story), Tony Scherman (inspired by the American Legacy article)
Produced by: Molly Allen, Todd Black, David Crockett, Kate Forte, Melody Fowler, Joe Roth, Valerie Scoon, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Oprah Winfrey
Cast Members: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Jurnee Smollett, John Heard, Jermaine Williams, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker
Released date: December 25, 2007
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Duration: 2hr 6min
Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.
