It looks like a real boring film just from the title and subject matter of it, but it truly is a fantastic film that shows racism the door, and proving that you can achieve anything if you put enough effort into it. Definitely not for children by any means.
Tools for this page
The Great Debaters
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Inspiring true story confronts racism head-on.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–14
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Great Debaters
Parents need to know that this inspirational fact-based drama includes unvarnished discussions and representations of 1930s racism, including a brutal lynching scene (the victim's body is shown burned and hung). There are also a couple of fight scenes, a confrontation between rural white bullies and an African-American professor, and a scene in which a bloodied, beaten African-American prisoner has been abused by white sheriff. A sex scene is brief and romantic (no graphic images). Language includes repeated uses of "hell" and the "N" word. Some drinking and pipe-smoking.
Read our full review by Cynthia Fuchs
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the appeal of movies based on true stories. What can today's viewers learn from seeing a movie like this? What messages do you think the film is hoping audiences will take away? What does this movie have in common with "underdog" sports stories? Families can also discuss how accurate they think the movie is. Why would filmmakers tweak any facts when making a movie based on a true story?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
One of the best movies of 2007
Lives in IndianaI rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Absolutely Phenomenal
The Great Debaters is without doubt one of the best movies ever made. The journey of the four young people as they confront the world is exciting and inspiring. The messages, of course, are excellent. Each character is intelligent and driven, and the themes of confidence, sticking up for what is right, and perserverence are superb. On a content note, the violence is phsychologically disturbing and deeply saddening. The sex scene is breif and romantic. Altogether, the film is best for teenagers, as younger kids won't really understand what's going on.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
This was a great educational movie!
This Movie teaches a lot about how evil racism is. it lets you know how hard it was even for kids and teens. they language and violence in this movie is needed to make the viewers fully understand how terrible it is. Younger kids would not understand this so 11+
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
This is a Must See Movie...for all Ethnicities...
My header says it all. Based on a true story in a time in history our country would like to forget, understandably so. This movie has a very strong cast to include some new faces like Denzel Whitaker (wonder who influenced his parents) amoung others. Sorry I'm tired and usually more elequant than this but as I stated in my opend sentence....The Header Says it All...
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Great movie
This was a great movie. I think kids should get an understanding of racism and know how they talked back then and realize how wrong it is. It is a great story line though. There are a few bad parts. When the man was being lynched and burned, I had to look away. I think that was the worst part of the movie. Other than that, the movie tells a lot about these African-American kids, their struggle against racism, and their struggle to maintain their friendship.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
great movie worth paying money for
My husband and I saw this movie at a Hollywood industry screening before it was released to the general public. We thought it was a fantastic movie that leaves you feeling like it was worth your money. The story and acting are stellar. The movie makes you think hard about the type of person you are and the struggles of black history in the U.S. (I'm white and my husband is Mexican). As a parent, I probably wouldn't take my 13 year old girl, but I wouldn't disagree letting my 17 year old son watch this movie. Although this movie is rated PG-13, it has a lot of talking and the theme is for an audience that can handle more critical thought and get enjoyment out of it. There's one sex scene, but it doesn't show any nudity -- it's in dark lighting under the sheets -- but it happens. There's a lynching scene, which could be shocking for a younger person -- though the scene shows the end of the lynching, not the actual lynching. Letting an older teenager see this film could actually prove beneficial in demonstrating how unfair black segregation was -- lest we all forget.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
phenomonal movie-a keeper for sure
The acting in this movie is really great. Denzel does his usual excellent acting while the younger newer acters really do an equally convincing job, especially the young lady. I thought the movie was very accurate while being as tasteful as possible with the subject matter. This one will be at the top of my movie library.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
A history of Americah vs Black
This movie was an hand up and all around great movie. It is a inspiring movie for kids and adults. It demonstrated how immoral people can be and it showed change. It was inspiring for American African to go to college and do well but realize it is not easy. Overall this movie is the best movie that both actors has done in their collection of flims.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
