The Great Debaters backdrop

The Great Debaters 2007 Directed by Denzel Washington

When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.

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.

Country USA
Production Country USA
Language English
Spoken Language English
Budget $15,000,000
Revenue $30,226,144
Release Date 25 December 2007
126 mins
Cast
Denzel Whitaker James Farmer Jr.
Denzel Washington Melvin B. Tolson
Nate Parker Henry Lowe
Jurnee Smollett Samantha Booke
Forest Whitaker Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Kimberly Elise Pearl Farmer
Jermaine Williams Hamilton Burgess
Gina Ravera Ruth Tolson
John Heard Sheriff Dozier
Devyn A. Tyler Helen Farmer
Trenton McClain Boyd Nathaniel Farmer
Jackson Walker Pig Owner
Tim Parati Pig Farmer
Robert X. Golphin Dunbar Reed
Justice Leak Harland Osbourne
Glen Powell Harvard Debater #1
Brad Watkins Harvard Debater #2
Brian Smiar Harvard Dean
Voltaire Sterling Paul Quinn Debater #1
Stephen Rider Paul Quinn Debater #2
Gordon Danniels Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Donny Boaz Oklahoma City College Debater #1
Samuel Elliott Whisnant Oklahoma City College Debater #2
Bonnie Johnson Dr. Jennings
Gary Mathis Enormous Man
Harold Evans William Taylor
J.D. Evermore Captain Wainwright
Southey Blanton White Labor Organizer
Michael Mattison White Sharecropper #1
Jeff Braun White Sharecropper #2
Milton R. Gipson Prairie View Professor
Frank Ridley Security Guard
Jeremiah Kissel Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate
Jack Radosta White Man at Lynching
Alvin Youngblood Hart Juke Joint Musician #1
Dom Flemons Juke Joint Musician #2
Justin Robinson Juke Joint Musician #3
Rhiannon Giddens Juke Joint Musician #4
Ahmad Powell Fisk Professor
Marcus Lyle Brown Howard Debater #1
Gary Mattis Enormous Man
Kevin Beard Klansman at Lynching (uncredited)