What is the plot of The Great Debaters?
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
Is The Great Debaters movie 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 theme of The Great Debaters?
The theme for the movie is the Power of Education, because just with that power, its can bring you to success.
What is the climax of The Great Debaters?
The climax occurs when the tiny school takes on mighty Harvard without the presence of their mentor. Yes, it is a feel-good movie (and the underdogs win), but that is a welcome anomaly amid the seemingly endless flood of insipid fare so typical of Hollywood.
Who are the three main characters in The Great Debaters?
The film begins with Tolson choosing his debate team for the 1935-36 school year. He decides on four students: Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams); the well-read but undisciplined Henry Lowe (Nate Parker); the first woman to join the team, Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett); and the fourteen-year-old James Farmer, Jr.
Who won the debate in The Great Debaters?
Historical notes. The film depicts the Wiley Debate team beating Harvard College in the 1930s. The real Wiley team instead defeated the University of Southern California, who at the time were the reigning debating champions.
How much of The Great Debaters was true?
Three of the four debaters were fictional. The film’s writers took half of the names of authentic debaters and changed their last names. Hamilton Boswell became “Hamilton Burgess,” complete with the use of Boswell’s nickname, “Ham.” Henry Height became “Henry Lowe.” There was no woman on the team in 1935.
Why wont James tell his father where he was?
Why won’t James tell his father where he was? He promised not to. Whose argument does Henry use to win the first debate competition?
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.