The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters

Actors:  Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise Directors:  Denzel Washington

Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," 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 that sees the first debate between U.S. s...