Customer Reviews
Inspiring, but a debatable messing with history 
2008-11-17
"The Great Debaters" is the story of an unlikely team of black debaters in 1930s Texas. Coming from little-known Wiley College, they go on to compete with the best debating clubs in the land. The film gives a heart-stopping portrayal of the violence and intimidation faced by American Americans during the period. A lynching scene is especially harrowing. It was an era when lynching was commonplace and a pig-farming white man could get away with intimidating a black PhD. Great performances from Denzel Washington and Forrest Whittaker as the debate coach and college chaplain. Wonderful supporting roles from the rest of the cast. The writing is first rate, making it seem cool and exciting to pull quotes from Thoreau, Hughes and Gandhi out of your head. There were a number of interesting subplots that wove their way through the narrative. Denzel's character organized laborers on the side; a lakeside shack serves as blues/gospel hangout. A requisite love story between two of the debaters took the steam off the film's intellectual bent.
(Spoilers)
Some concerns. Trying to communicate to a 21st century audience the razor's edge walked by 1930s blacks was mishandled. Given the dangerous times they lived in, the black debaters were almost militant in their arguments. Even a northern university audience might have been alarmed at the veiled threats being made. Then too, the movie erred in following the standard "Remember The Titans" cinematic model in which Denzel leads an unlikely team to beat the best in the league. Sticking closer to history, in which Wiley was less than completely victorious in the literal sense would have been more accurate. Perhaps the movie makers didn't think we could handle the truth that progress for blacks in the 1930s was gained a tiny step at a time. And that audiences can appreciate the import of symbolic victory.
Still, I found "The Great Debaters" to be riveting and watchable. The DVD extras, in which Denzel interviews elderly Wiley College grads gave texture into a difficult era. A great weekend family (teen and up) film and great to show your high school debate club.
The Great Debaters 
2008-11-16
Highly, recommended as a movie to be watched by students in the various
school systems. For encouragement, dedication and building of character .
Excellent production.
The Great Debaters 2008-11-12
Not what you think it would be. Great moving movie. Only thing I didn't like was Denzel's hair.
The Great Debaters 2008-11-09
Excellent movie, it is nice to get such a great story from our history. The cast did a great job, and they were able to talk with some of the original people to get the feel of the era.
We need more movies about little known stories in the growing of our nation. This should be shown at all high schools.
Thought Provoking 2008-10-25
Came away from viewing this DVD with alot of concepts to think about. Yes, very thought provoking.
Simply Awesome 2008-10-21
Two-time Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington (American Gangster) directs and stars with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland) in this important and deeply inspiring page from the not-so-distant past (Richard Roeper, At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper). Inspired by a true story, Washington shines as 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 an historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite. DVD Special Features:
Disc One: Deleted Scenes
The Great Debaters: An Historical Perspective;That's What My Baby Likes Music Video. My Soul Is A Witness; Music Video. Theatrical Trailer
Sneak Peeks: Grace is Gone, Cassandra's Dream, I'm Not There, Hunting Party
Disc Two: The Great Debaters: A Heritage Of Music
Scoring The Great Debaters With James Newton Howard & Peter Golub
Learning The Art: Our Young Actors Go To Debate Camp
Forest Whitaker On Becoming James Farmer, Sr.
A New Generation Of Actors
The 1930's Wardrobe Of Sharen Davis
The Production Design Of David J. Bomba
The Poetry Of Melvin B. Tolson
Great Review 2008-10-14
THis is a Great review. Well, done. Great actors and very vivid portrayal of the subject.
One of year's best 2008-10-02
Great cast, even the student actors, but Washington and Whitaker bookend the whole movie. Strong and challenging script with several emotionally charged scenes. Mixes history, logic, rascism, workers rights, and drama with convincing authority. Excellent.
Paid for - never received!! 
2008-09-22
I never received the DVD that I paid for. I waited two months, emailed them and NEVER even received a response from them. Will anyone listen now? Hard to say.
The affirmative case for civil disobedience 2008-09-21
Wiley college debates Harvard on the topic of civil disobedience. 1935, blacks were lynched in Texas, a form of mob justice. The law did not protect blacks from this form of violence.
Issues raise:
* Jim Crow laws
* African Americans not allow to attend White Colleges
* Debate limited to Black colleges
* Inequality within the law
* Inequality in educational fund distribution
* High percent of crime and punishment associated with African Americans
* Harvards struggle to racially integrate with Blacks
A divine law can not be superceded by man made law. If man made law becomes oppressive or negligent then revolt of those laws or the lack of law can be either resisted by violence or civil disobedience. A proposition that would carry forward many decades later with the freedom riders and their protest of unfair transportation policies discriminating against blacks.
Who is our judge? God is our Judge. Why is he our judge? Because God decides what is right or wrong. Who is our opponent? There is no opponent because he resides on the side of error.
