What is the great debate movie about?

What is the great debate movie about?

Poet and professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) teaches at the predominately black Wiley College in 1935 Texas. He decides to start a debate team, something nearly unheard of at a black college. While at first he butts heads with the influential father (Forest Whitaker) of one of his best debators, eventually he is able to form a team of strong-minded, intelligent young students, and they become the first black debate team to challenge Harvard’s prestigious debate champions.
The Great Debaters/Film synopsis

What can we learn from The Great Debaters movie?

It starts with a point to prove. It is a form of battle, fought with words. A great quote from the movie is: “Now is always the right time to do the right thing.” One of the most important lessons in The Great Debaters is found in one of its memorable lines: “We do what we got to do, so we can do what we want to do.”

What is The Great Debaters based on?

the Wiley College debate team
The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel Washington. It is based on an article written about the Wiley College debate team by Tony Scherman for the spring 1997 issue of American Legacy.

Is great debaters based on a true story?

“The Great Debaters” honors the real-life story of a 1930’s black debating team. Denzel Washington directs and stars in “The Great Debaters,” the movie based on that true story, which comes to theaters Christmas Day. Washington plays the team’s coach, the invincible Professor Melvin Tolson.

What is the conflict of the great debaters?

What is the main conflict in the Great Debaters? Main conflicts include Racial inequalities, the white schools preferred the students of color not to participate in the Debates, another big conflict was the Jim Crow laws.

What does it mean to be born without record?

What does it mean to be born without record? Negroes were not given birth certificates when they were born.

Who are the 3 main characters in The Great Debaters?

Who are the 3 main characters in the great debaters?

  • Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson.
  • Forest Whitaker as James L. Farmer, Sr.
  • Denzel Whitaker as James L.
  • Nate Parker as Henry Lowe.
  • Jurnee Smollett as Samantha Booke.
  • Jermaine Williams as Hamilton Burgess.
  • Gina Ravera as Ruth Tolson.
  • John Heard as Sheriff Dozier.

What is the result of the first debate in The Great Debaters?

What is the result of the first debate? Harvard wants to debate Wiley College. Why can’t Mr.

Who are the 3 main characters in the great debaters?

Who is the protagonist in the great debaters?

The plot of the movie centers on the four main protagonists, Melvin I. Tolson, and the debaters; Henry Lowe (a composite character), Samantha Booke (a composite character) and James Farmer, Jr.

What does the negative mean the great debaters?

affirmative: the side that upholds the proposition stated in the debate. negative: the side of the argument that argues against the affirmative’s proposition.

Is the Great Debaters based on a true story?

The Great Debaters, first and foremost, is an episodic plot film, which is inspired by the true story of the undefeated Wiley College‟s 1935 Debate Team. The plot of the movie centers on the four main protagonists, Melvin I. Tolson, and the debaters; Henry Lowe (a composite

Who are the actors in the Great Debaters?

Actors: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise A drama based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

What are the issues in the Great Debaters?

From this, issues of predominantly black and white thought, sexism and racism arise and are critiqued heavily throughout the film. While not the most noticeable issue within film, sexism is subtly addressed and critiqued in The Great Debaters.

What did Denzel Washington say in the Great Debaters?

Film Analysis: The Great Debaters The quote, “We do what we have to do in order to do what we want to do.”, is one of the most memorable recurring themes in the theatrical historical drama production of the film, “The Great Debaters”, which was both directed by and starred, Denzel Washington, as Melvin I.

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