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The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters

Drama · 2007

The true story of 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 a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

Movie details

The Great Debaters

“When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.”

2007 Drama 2h 6m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.3 / 10

Community rating

The true story of 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 a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Great Debaters?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Denzel Washington

Written by

Jeffrey Porro · Robert Eisele

Denzel Whitaker

Denzel Whitaker

James Farmer Jr.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Melvin B. Tolson

Nate Parker

Nate Parker

Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett

Samantha Booke

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

Dr. James Farmer Sr.

Kimberly Elise

Kimberly Elise

Pearl Farmer

Jermaine Williams

Jermaine Williams

Hamilton Burgess

Court is in session

Put The Great Debaters on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.