sandnair87 The Great Debaters chronicles a chapter in the life of a fascinating man, Professor Melvin B. Tolson, who created quite a name for himself by assembling a prodigious all-black debate team, while also creating a stir with his radical politics.The movie takes place in Marshall, Texas in 1935 at the all-black Wiley College. On the first day of class, Tolson (Denzel Washington oozing the charisma, intensity and barely reined rage he always taps into) announces the debate team tryouts at his house the same night. The tryouts draw 45 students, vying for four positions. He eventually staffs the debate team with an eclectic rag-tag group of debaters: Intelligent-but-brooding Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), who is a randy loose cannon, makes the team, along with returning member Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams). The team is rounded out by alternates Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), an absolute stunner and the only female to try out, and James Farmer, Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), the 14-year-old son of the college president, who has the experience to do the massive research required for the debates. Tolson employs unrelenting, unconventional methods to train his team, which pay off in victory after victory in debates with other Black colleges. Unbeknownst to his students, Tolson writes to several white universities to try to secure an unprecedented debate with one of them; his ultimate dream is a long-shot debate with Harvard.No story works well without conflict and The Great Debaters brings it on in the second act. Personal relations become a problem when Samantha and Nate form a couple, and James – who has had a crush on Samantha from day one – can no longer control his anger over their relationship. Another problem arises when the local police learns of Tolson's secret dealings trying to help unionize the local sharecroppers and farmers, a mixed-race partnership. But Tolson and the four under his tutelage fight not only with the racism of the time but also with tensions within their own ranks, as they eventually get the coveted shot against Harvard.As is well-known, academic competitions are addictive nail-biters. When you add the racial tensions of a segregated South, you've got a powerful emotional dynamic. Enough fictional liberties were taken with the movie to make it fit neatly on the inspirational genre shelf, but it's grounded in enough reality to excuse Robert Eisle's we-shall-overcome contrivances. Denzel Washington's crisp direction and the sharp performances by everyone – giving us characters we can root for - help to leaven the inspirational emphasis of the screenplay while steadily building tension. Surprisingly, for a film about the power of speech, it's the quiet moments of rapture that say everything.The Great Debaters may be accused of being naked in its shameless desire to make audiences wince at every setback and cheer at every victory. The strength of the movie is that it gets away with it almost every time. By the time it's over, even cynics will be fighting the impulse to stand up and cheer.

Jordache Wee Based on the efforts of Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington), who brought blacks from Wiley College to set an equal footing with the whites.This was the dark age of where the blacks lives in fear, afraid to walk places where ruled by the whites because they knew they would be lynched and hung alive.Set in 1930s, Tolson is a debate coach for Wiley Coach, also an educator who guide his fellow students to victory against Harvard College.Also on Wiley's debate team is James L. Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett).Booke is the first woman and black to ever participated in the debate team simultaneously also defeating the Harvard College alongside with Farmer Jr.--During the 1930s, some states of United States of America still enslaved the black people. They discriminate them and lynch them alive and hang them for the vultures.The white supremacy in that era was strong and some still adapt the old culture of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The blacks are always living in fear until a few would stood for their rights.In The Great Debaters, we explore to see both black and white culture and their upbringing. There were racism and discrimination in every way. It's a great film. Somehow, it still reflects on our today's society.And it's almost like having Barack Obama as the first black president of United States.

thinker1691 It isn't often you can enter a theater to view an interesting film and leave with a sense of emotional awe. Each time we risk a trip back in our time to not only witness what our predecessors did, we also experience the shocking mayhem, violence and tragedies of the day. Indeed we further allow ourselves to become immersed in the ugly ignorant world of human reality. Time was when the events which take place in this movie called " The Great Debators " was the basis for a story, ostensible written by Robert Eisele and ably directed by Denzel Washington. Having a featured role, Mr. Washinton also portrays Melvin B. Tolson a social activist and debate teacher. The film relates the story of how he selects a group of talented black students and instructs them in the art of the verbal debate. Their ability and intellectual growth is mirrored through their lives and social interactions. Each is subject to the hatred and prejudice of time. Further, each witnesses the enormous pressures of a subjugated people and their demeaning subservient role. Despite the enormous danger of mob violence which could exploded on any given day or time, the students are able to rise to the challenge of expressing through words, their feelings, emotions and eventual victory to overcome their racial bonds and shackles. The movie is a remarkable triumph for Washington and the entire cast who allow us to join them in a time which reminds us of our social inhumanity. The best and worse remains and only time will tell whether we have learned anything from our past. Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, Jermaine Williams, and John Heard complete the fine cast. ****

Lloyd Bayer Two of society's evils publicly condemned by Oprah Winfrey are violence against women and racial oppression. Unsurprisingly, Harpo Productions' (Oprah spelt backwards) latest offering is a period drama that not only speaks about racial violence, but the courage of real people and what they did to overcome it.Set in 1935 Texas, a time before public swimming pools and colored swimming pools, a time when it was not derogatory to call African-Americans "Negros", Wiley College professor Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) assembles a team of young black Americans in preparation for the annual inter-college debate competition. Comprising of James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) and Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett), the team quickly gains momentum with an undefeated winning streak. Populated by the traditionally black community of rural Texas, Wiley College enters the championship league, but must now face their greatest advisory – an all-white team from the acclaimed Harvard University. But even before they have a fair chance, Tolson faces allegations of stirring political unrest as a black communist, leaving the team to go on without their coach.The outcome of the final debate, though a tear-jerker, is just one amongst various highpoints in this remarkable film. At the very core is the bleeding cry for truth and justice – quintessentially manifested by outstanding portrayals from Farmer Jr, Parker and Smollett, not forgetting Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker (as James Farmer Sr.) in fiery supporting roles. Adapted from Tony Scherman 's journal on American Legacy, Robert Eisele's screenplay is a driving force with just the right pace and depth that induces a strong yearning to learn about an untold but dark story before America's so called 'Golden Years'. Borrowing from actual events, Eisele's premise is a juxtaposition between Gandhi's Satyagraha and Martin Luther King's Civil Rights movement, making this not just a true story, but the biopic of a man that would become a modern American poet - Melvin Beaunorus Tolson.At a time when it is politically incorrect to call an ethnic race by the color of skin or traditional sustenance, "The Great Debaters" is a film with a story that boldly refuses to remain hidden within the forgotten pages of history. In comparison, this film could have been executed with the darker tone of "Mississippi Burning" or perhaps even a lighter shade similar to "The Help". In essence, it remains an intellectual masterpiece with a purpose – a stark reminder that racism still exists. As does slavery.By his inherent nature of on-screen charisma, spit-fire dialogue and tenacious characterization, Denzel Washington is a cinematic marvel and nothing short of a silver screen incendiary. But if these are his traits as a skilled actor, then this film is all the more inspiring, encouraging and uplifting because "The Great Debaters" also benefits from having Denzel Washington as the director. Oh yes, Oprah Winfrey would be proud!