CompleteMartialArts.com - The Great Debaters
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List Price: $29.95
Our Price: $15.99
Your Save: $ 13.96 ( 47% )
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Manufacturer: Genius Products (TVN)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Damien Leake, Gregory Nicotero, Brian Smiar
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
EAN: 0796019810708
Format: Closed-captioned
Label: Genius Products (TVN)
Manufacturer: Genius Products (TVN)
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Genius Products (TVN)
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2008-05-13
Running Time: 124
Studio: Genius Products (TVN)
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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Editorial Reviews:
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Two-time Academy Award® winner Denzel Washington (American Gangster) directs and stars with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland) in this important and deeply inspiring page from the not-so-distant past (Richard Roeper, At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper). Inspired by a true story, Washington shines as 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 an historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite. DVD Special Features:
Deleted Scenes
The Great Debaters: An Historical Perspective. That's What My Baby Likes; Music Video.
My Soul Is A Witness; Music Video
Theatrical Trailer
Sneak Peeks: Grace is Gone, Cassandra's Dream, I'm Not There, Hunting Party
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fabulous film
Comment: It's a fabulous film because it gives an overview of historical events in the US and the acting is excellent
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring, but a debatable messing with history
Comment: "The Great Debaters" is the story of an unlikely team of black debaters in 1930s Texas. Coming from little-known Wiley College, they go on to compete with the best debating clubs in the land. The film gives a heart-stopping portrayal of the violence and intimidation faced by American Americans during the period. A lynching scene is especially harrowing. It was an era when lynching was commonplace and a pig-farming white man could get away with intimidating a black PhD. Great performances from Denzel Washington and Forrest Whittaker as the debate coach and college chaplain. Wonderful supporting roles from the rest of the cast. The writing is first rate, making it seem cool and exciting to pull quotes from Thoreau, Hughes and Gandhi out of your head. There were a number of interesting subplots that wove their way through the narrative. Denzel's character organized laborers on the side; a lakeside shack serves as blues/gospel hangout. A requisite love story between two of the debaters took the steam off the film's intellectual bent.
(Spoilers)
Some concerns. Trying to communicate to a 21st century audience the razor's edge walked by 1930s blacks was mishandled. Given the dangerous times they lived in, the black debaters were almost militant in their arguments. Even a northern university audience might have been alarmed at the veiled threats being made. Then too, the movie erred in following the standard "Remember The Titans" cinematic model in which Denzel leads an unlikely team to beat the best in the league. Sticking closer to history, in which Wiley was less than completely victorious in the literal sense would have been more accurate. Perhaps the movie makers didn't think we could handle the truth that progress for blacks in the 1930s was gained a tiny step at a time. And that audiences can appreciate the import of symbolic victory.
Still, I found "The Great Debaters" to be riveting and watchable. The DVD extras, in which Denzel interviews elderly Wiley College grads gave texture into a difficult era. A great weekend family (teen and up) film and great to show your high school debate club.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Great Debaters
Comment: Highly, recommended as a movie to be watched by students in the various
school systems. For encouragement, dedication and building of character .
Excellent production.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Great Debaters
Comment: Not what you think it would be. Great moving movie. Only thing I didn't like was Denzel's hair.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Great Debaters
Comment: Excellent movie, it is nice to get such a great story from our history. The cast did a great job, and they were able to talk with some of the original people to get the feel of the era.
We need more movies about little known stories in the growing of our nation. This should be shown at all high schools.
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