The Great Debaters
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 43
  3. Negative: 3 out of 43

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  1. LauraV.
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    They really should have used USC instead of Harvard to give USC credit for being one of the early universities trying to break down the color barriers. That would be my only critique. Otherwise, it's a fine study of human courage in the face of adversity and keeping one's dignity when put in horrible situations.
  2. BillyS.
    Jan 5, 2008
    6
    It may star Denzel Washington, he may have directed it, and he does both with commendable results, but The Great Debaters has got Oprah Winfrey written all over it. You've got oppression and rising above it, finding your inner-self and becoming true to your spirit, following your dream and realizing it's in your grasp, just hold on to it and become the beautiful downtrodden soul that you truly are. The only thing missing was a placard hailing Borak Obama and a plug for her school in South Africa!! If you love the teachings of the Oprah, you'll love this movie, if you love Denzel, go see American Gangster.… Expand
  3. petel.
    Jan 8, 2008
    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.
  4. JustinC.
    Jan 19, 2008
    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
  5. GeorgeMovie
    Jan 22, 2008
    8
    Just a very good movie with superior acting.
  6. AndrewK.
    Jan 3, 2008
    10
    Unforgettable story of tenacity in the face of naked oppression.
  7. EarlB.
    Dec 26, 2007
    10
    No competion anymore on best picture, best director, best supporting actor(whitaker)!!! This is a must see movie for all races, natioanities, and ages. Exceptional script, cast, story, and direction. Not a Denzel fan per say, but he truly outdid himself on this one!!!!!
  8. MartyK.
    Dec 26, 2007
    9
    A truly inspiring story, very well acted, produced, and directed. You will definitely leave the theater feeling better than when you entered!
  9. MarjorieS.
    Dec 27, 2007
    9
    I think this is a very, very important movie.
  10. DionneG.
    Dec 27, 2007
    10
    very touching movie. I cried, i laughed, and ultimately i enjoyed the movie. Glad I saw it and I would recommend it to all
  11. bobbym
    Dec 27, 2007
    9
    A really good film. I would have liked to have met the real Tolson. The lynching and the pig scenes explain much about the American Black experience. They provide rationale for understanding the emotional response of most Blacks even though lynching is no longer a real threat in America.
  12. JimC.
    Dec 28, 2007
    9
    Should've gone for topicality. Or maybe the K. Otherwise, good film.
  13. Jennifer
    Dec 29, 2007
    10
    Awesome movie!!! This is a good quality film. Well done. Make sure you don't miss this movie. Very inspiring!
  14. ChadS.
    Dec 29, 2007
    7
    A college/university, even in a traditionally republican-voting state like Oklahoma, are liberal bastions that repudiates the opposing ideology of its conservative constituency. The sometimes hokey, sometimes uplifting "Great Debaters" ably demonstrates this demarcation when Wiley College debates Oklahoma City. Wiley wins the debate(scored by university officials), but not the hearts and minds of the people(townies). As each racial group claps subjectively on the topic of intergrating colleges, you're reminded of the O.J. Simpson trial when television cameras captured our country's ongoing racial division after the jury's verdict of innocence was announced. A film like "The Great Debaters" is bittersweet because our country has a long way to go. Henry Lowe(Nate Parker) is the heart of the film. After witnessing a lynch mob put the finishing touch on a desecrated man, Henry retreats into the role of "The Invisible Man"(the Ralph Ellison novel) because he sees no future for an educated black man. Henry doesn't forget where he comes from(a backwater). Hamilton(Jermaine Williams), on the other hand, quits the debate team because of Mr. Tolson's politics. He forgets who he is.… Expand
  15. JayH.
    Mar 15, 2008
    9
    Inspiring, disturbing, engrossing and well-told. This is a movie that will long be remembered as it made a deep impression on someone far removed from the setting of the story.
  16. EdnaM.
    Dec 26, 2007
    9
    An inspiring MUST SEE. Can't wait to see it again.
  17. BeverlyS.
    Dec 27, 2007
    10
    This movie based on a true story was moving. I live in Phoenix, Arizona where there are very few African Americans and I am African American so I made sure I saw this particular movie before it left the theaters. I was not the only one in the theatre crying during the film yet I was the only Black person at the showing. It was so good to see us as a race even though we were held back in many ways be successful in showing what we can do even though were not treated fairly. I am so proud to be Black and American, African American. Everyone no matter their race should see this movie.… Expand
  18. DaveW.
    Dec 28, 2007
    7
    Good move but "The Master Debaters" was a much more entertaining flick.
  19. Tss5078
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    The Great Debaters is another inspirational tale of the oppressed, but unlike most, this film has the distinction of being pretty close to historically accurate. I was hesitant to see this film, because who wants to watch a film about a debate team? Denzel Washington, however, happens to be one of my favorite actors, so I gave it a shot and learned quite a bit. The debate team was just an instrument, and was comprised of four people who would all go on to play significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement. The films follows award winning author, Melvin Tolson (Washington), on his journey to create the best African-American College debate team in the country, a team that would eventually go on to challenge the debate team at Harvard University. Everything about this movie was extremely powerful and well done. From the language to the graphic imagery to the story and the performances I was completely blown away by this film. I went into it thinking, if it's bad I'll turn if off after a half-hour. Now, I'm thinking about watching it again tomorrow. This is the way historical films should be done, The Great Debaters was fair, accurate, and just a great film!… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: David Ansen
    70
    Wouldn't it have been more fascinating if, just once, they had to argue, as all debate teams must, against their own beliefs? That would have really tested these amazing kids' mettle--and the movie's too.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    70
    Tailor-made for maximum inspirational, historical and educational impact, The Great Debaters shines a bright spotlight on a remarkable example of black achievement long forgotten in the sorry history of the Jim Crow South.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Pinkerton
    50
    The film avoids potentially interesting frictions by always letting the team debate (and win) on the "correct" side of every issue--that which aligns with generally accepted modern liberal sympathies. The kids follow their party line all the way to the big game, a ridiculous, fallacy-riddled face-off against Harvard.
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