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| Content | | | | The Great Debaters (2007) | Director: Denzel Washington
Starring: Denzel Washington, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, Forest Whitaker
Marshall, Texas, is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season. But Tolson aims higher and wants equal rights and respect for his team by the means of a debate with students from white colleges. Finally his dream comes true in form of an invitation to face Harvard University`s national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.
Although plot and dramaturgy are not necessarily surprising the battle of words, the interaction between mind and language as well as the powerful dimension of rhetoric are well depicted and enjoyable. Thus my rating: highly commendable.
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