The Great Debaters(2007)- Production Details

Poster of The Great Debaters

Synopsis

Inspired by a true story, "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African American college in the deep south into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political views.

Production Details

In Theaters

  • December 25, 2007

MPAA Rating

PG-13 (for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality)

Genres

Drama

Run Time

2 hours 7 minutes

Distributors

MGM Distribution Company

Box Office

$30,226,144

Production Status

Released

Filming Locations

  • Shreveport, Louisiana USA

Produced In

United States

Directors

CAST

Denzel Washington

Melvin B Tolson

Forest Whitaker

James Farmer, Sr.

Jermaine Williams

Hamilton Burgess

J. D. Evermore

Captain Wainwright

John Heard

Sheriff Dozier

Kimberly Elise

Pearl Farmer