The Great Debaters is an American biographical period drama film based on the story of the Wiley College debate team. They were the first African-American team to take on the University of Southern California's (replaced by Harvard in the film) debate team.

Basic Plot: With the start of the New Year, the Wiley College debate team needs four new members. Mr. Tolson, the debate coach chooses: James Farmer Jr., Henry Lowe, Samantha Booke, and Hamilton Burgess. They win their first debate and then the next and the next (and you see where this is going!). Anyhow, they are GREAT contenders! Throughout their debate season we also see the problems the characters have to face such as racism as well as a much smaller, but significant problem that impacted the film, the farmers union and the discrimination they face.

Denzel Washington as Melvin B. Tolson.
Forest Whitaker as James L. Farmer Sr.
Nate Parker as Henry Lowe
Jurnee Smollett as Samantha Booke
Denzel Whitaker (not related to Forest lol) as James Farmer Jr.
Jermaine Williams as Hamilton Burgess

We watched this movie for English class in accordance to our debate unit and I thought it was really nice. It shows how much has changed overtime (this takes place in the 30s). It's also very fast-paced, but not fast where you aren't able to follow. It's a good fast-paced. Leaves you at the edge of your seat. There is one particular scene that is very powerful because it shows how racist people used to be. I also thought the actors did a good job, although at times I did think it was a bit exaggerated. The movie had a good lead up to it's climax. =) Overall I give the movie a solid 7/10

Here is the link. I'm not sure how long that link will work for, because YouTube takes down those kind of videos, but try and see if it works. =) In case, it doesn't work, there's the trailer if you're interested.