Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Great Debaters
The Great Debaters Image
See the trailer
Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Starring: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise
  • Summary: Believe in the power of words. 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. In their pursuit for excellence, Tolson's debate team receives a groundbreaking invitation to debate Harvard University's championship team. [The true story saw the team debating the University of Southern California.] (Weinstein Company)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    This is a film that is affirming and inspiring and re-creates the stories of a remarkable team and its coach.
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    88
    A triumph. Unapologetically old-school, in both the literal and metaphorical meanings of the term, Debaters overlays the story of social underdogs onto the familiar template of the stand-and-deliver saga, the staple of sports inspirationals like "Rocky," "Invincible" and "The Karate Kid."
  3. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    60
    About midway through Denzel Washington's new film The Great Debaters comes a raw and terrifying scene that exemplifies why the movie's worth seeing, despite its hackneyed and awkward story.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. petel.
    10
    The story takes the viewer back in time, and masterfully gives the viewer a peak of what used to be.Washington as always is amazing, along with the other actors notably the young Denzel Whitaker. A MUST FOR ALL AGES AND RACE.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. AndrewK.
    10
    Unforgettable story of tenacity in the face of naked oppression.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JustinC.
    0
    Director Denzel Washington and producer Oprah Winfrey sizzle up the bacon with a smart idea. And you know what? This idea succeeds, director Denzel Washington certainly functioned this film with a heart, but no soul. It is mechanically let out, sappy, and weak. It isn't the spoiled product Denzel and Oprah are selling, and making money off of, and the Golden Globe nomination. It is the motion capture, it has crisp cinematography, but no fun. The day time being used for each scene is practically a seemingly 3:15 in the afternoon, with that sun starting to set, all nice and bright. It just bores you by the poor lighting, and camera-shot views. There is nothing special about this, just that I am very surprised what I am seeing here on the internet. What's the hype anyway? I didn't know so many people liked Oprah. Maybe its Denzel Washington, coming back to life on the big screen a month or so later than his previous installment American Gangster, starring as Frank Lucas. Just the problem with The Great Debaters is that Denzel's argument is Exceedingly weak, racism about black people in most movies is a settling downfall to see them do the exact same thing again in this. And they obviously win the debate, but its just a bore, it is pointless. The story is good, the movie could have came to a great success, but I was just left Awfully disappointed. This is probably the biggest letdown of the year.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 18 User Reviews

Trailers