The Great Debaters

Year: 2007

Runtime: 126 min

Language: English

BiographyDrama

During the Jim Crow era, Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but controversial instructor at Wiley College, an African-American school, challenges his students to compete in national debate competitions. He cultivates their skills through rigorous training and unconventional teaching methods, fostering a passion for words and critical thinking. The team’s journey culminates in a historic debate against the prestigious Harvard University, testing their abilities and confronting societal prejudices.

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Debaters (2007)

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Main Characters – The Great Debaters (2007)

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Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:56

Major Themes – The Great Debaters (2007)

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Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:56

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The narrative follows a clear underdog arc, where protagonists face overwhelming odds due to their social status, race, or background. Their success is not just a personal victory but a symbolic challenge to the unjust system itself, often involving a high-stakes competition or public test of their abilities.

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Narrative Summary

The plot is driven by a mentor figure who employs unconventional or intensely rigorous methods to push their students beyond their perceived limits. The central conflict often revolves around mastering a skill or field of knowledge, which serves as a metaphor for broader personal growth and confronting external challenges.

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These films share a core theme of education as empowerment. They feature a steady pacing focused on skill acquisition and character development, blending the intensity of high-stakes learning with the hopeful tone of intellectual and personal discovery.

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