The Great Debaters Reviews
Critic & User Reviews
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Critic Reviews
This is a film that is affirming and inspiring and re-creates the stories of a remarkable team and its coach.
Read the full reviewUltimately an uplifting movie because it is about triumph.
Read the full reviewFor a film about the power of speech, it's the quiet moments of rapture that say everything.
Read the full reviewAn edifying and forthright drama that aims to create a lump in the throat, and succeeds.
Read the full reviewThe Great Debaters is like one of those sentimentally revved youth-sports-team crowd-pleasers. This time, though, the sport is debating, and the setting is an elite black college in Marshall, Tex., in 1935
Read the full reviewMr. Washington is splendid, as always. So is Forest Whitaker as James Farmer, Sr.
Read the full reviewIt's a great family movie, if not historically perfect, and something that a lot of people are going to like.
Read the full reviewAn earnest drama about the search for self-esteem and sense of responsibility among young black people that successfully relies on its fine actors.
Read the full reviewTailor-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.
Read the full reviewBecause it is so old-school Hollywood, with a weakness for standard moments and pat situations, The Great Debaters initially comes off as easily dismissible. Largely saving it from that fate is the presence and ability of Denzel Washington, who costars with Forest Whitaker and directs from Robert Eisele's script.
Read the full reviewAn enjoyable, rousing film, despite its formulaic quality.
Read the full reviewThe wonder is that The Great Debaters transcends its own simplifying and manipulative ploys; it radiates nobility of spirit.
Read the full reviewToo bad the story is all over the place. One second, it focuses on a love triangle between students; the next, it's about Washington's efforts to unionize the local farmers.
Read the full reviewReview excerpts provided by Metacritic.com.
The Metascore® designation for this movie is 65
User Reviews
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DR. HOBART GARRETT
"i THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE MOVIE, "THE REAT DEBATORS' IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, I WILL WILL BE CELEBRATING MY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FROM BENNETT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, LOCATED IN GREENBORO, NORTH CAROLINA.MY ENGLISH PROFESSOR, DR. HOBART JARRETT, WAS A GRADUATE OF WILEY COLLEGE AND TAUGHT ENGLISH DURING MY YEARS AT BENNETT (1954-58). I AM TOLD THAT HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE DEBATE TEAM AT WILEY COLLEGE. I PLAN TO DO SOME FURTHER RESEARCH ON THIS BUT IF YOU CAN CONFIRM/DENY THIS, I WOULD BE FOREVER GRATEFUL. THIS WILL ALSO ENABLE BE TO WRITE A FANTASTIC REVIEW. THE MOVIE WAS SIMPLY FANTASTIC.I ALSO DABBLED IN THE ARTS WHILE AT BENNETT AND WAS A PRETTY GOOD ACTOR -- AT 72 YEARS OLD, I THINK I STILL AM!"
The Great Debaters - A MUST SEE FILM!
""The Power of Spoken Words" Excellent movie! Denzel and Forest Whitaker were superb.This film also gets five stars. As an NYS Title One Reading educator the power of education and word came to life a brillant story.Wow! extremely well done depiction of a very hateful period of segregation and total racism in our country.A great movie to show in school for black history week in February . Surely The Academy has forgotten how to choose exceptionally good pictures anymore.Yes, the file is ultimately an uplifting movie because it is about triumph."
Denzel is superb
"So glad I saw this movie. It was terrific in every way."
Excellent film!!!
"Wish that the critics had not given this very inspiring film such mediocre ratings...more people need to see this movie...extremely well done depiction of a very shameful peiod of segregation and total racism in our country.It has my vote for BEST film of the year, especially over most of what has been nominated for an oscar.amh"
The Great Debaters (Excellent)
"A movie is well worth seeing. It's still in theatres. I saw it yesterday. I recommend everyone to go and see it. Great acting, very informative, intimately soul touching, memorable, and a classic you'll want to add to your collection later. But go see it today. It's worthy of you support. God Bless.. It's excellent."
How Far Have We Advanced?
"Superb, movie filled with a lot of insight to the past and future. My grandsons and I watched the movie it held their attention. Later, I gave them a session of Q"
Best movie in a long time!
"What an inspirational story! You should bring the whole family. A truly well done story with a backdrop of true American history, but more importantly the tale of the power of education and word. At moments, the whole theater laugh and at others cried in joy.Don't miss it!"
REVIEWS FOR ADULT WOMEN
"The movie was not a good as I had hoped. Densel, of course, was good and the story line was good but the movie just didn't get there. Would have been good for a DVD. I have seen Densel in better roles. Great insite to that period of time and that was truly believeable. But the movie just didn't get there for me."
Fulfilling our responsibilities
"Although this movie tells an important story in African-American history, it's greater message is that each of us has the right and the duty to speak out against oppression. It clearly makes the point that our Constitution is about individual rights and responsibilities. If we don't know our rights and speak up for them when it's time to do so, we may lose them, no matter which group we're part of."
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