Published
[New York, N.Y.] : Santa Monica, CA : Weinstein Company ; Distributed by Genius Products, c2008.
Edition
2-disc collector's ed., widescreen version
Notes
General Note
Originally released as a motion picture in 2007
General Note
Inspired by the American legacy article by Tony Scherman
General Note
Special features include: Disc 1. Deleted scenes; The great debaters, an historical perspective; "That's what my baby likes", music video; "My soul is a witness", music video. Disc 2. The great debaters, a heritage of music; Scoring The great debaters with James Newton Howard & Peter Golub; Learning the art, our young actors go to debate camp; Forest Whitaker on becoming James Farmer, Sr.; A new generation of actors; The 1930's wardrobe of Sharen Davis; The production design of David J. Bomba; The poetry of Melvin B. Tolson
Creation/Production Credits
Production designer, David J. Bomba ; edited by Hughes Winborne ; costume designer, Sharen Davis ; music composed by James Newton Howard and Peter Golub ; music supervisor, G. Marq Roswell ; co-producer, Molly Allen
Participants/Performers
Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Jermaine Williams, Gina Ravera, John Heard, Kimberly Elise
Description
Melvin B. Tolson is a professor at Wiley College in Texas. Wiley is a small African-American college. In 1935, Tolson inspired students to form the school's first debate team. Tolson turns a group of underdog students into a historically elite debate team which goes on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Inspired by a true story.
Target Audience
MPAA rating: PG-13; strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, language, and brief sexuality
System Details
DVD; region 1, NTSC; widescreen letterbox presentation, enhanced for widescreen televisions; Dolby digital
Language
In English or dubbed French dialogue with optional English (SDH) or Spanish subtitles
Awards
AAFCA Award, 2007-- Best Picture (African-American Film Critics Association)
Awards
AAAFCA Award, 2007-- 1st place, Top 10 Films.
Awards
Christopher Award, 2008 -- Feature Films (The Christophers)
Awards
Image Award, 2008 -- Outstanding Motion Picture (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
Awards
Image Award, 2008 -- Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Denzel Washington (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
Awards
Image Award, 2008 -- Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Jurnee Smollet-Bell (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)