 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Great Debaters
- Review Date: May 12, 2008
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Inspiring true story confronts racism head-on.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
THE GREAT DEBATERS follows the 1935 Wiley College debate team from its modest beginnings in Marshall, Texas, to national prominence. English professor/farmers' union organizer Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington, who also directed) coaches the team, embodying worthy life lessons for both his students and his colleague, theology professor James Farmer Sr. (Forest Whitaker), the strict father of 15-year-old team member James Jr. (Denzel Whitaker). Among these lessons are his resistance to a brutally racist local sheriff (John Heard) and his determination to overcome the pervasive racism of the time. The team overcomes a number of trials -- a brief and suitably tender affair between two members, their coach's incarceration and blacklisting, some rebellious drinking, and a harrowing scene in which they witness a lynching -- and their debate topics tend to underscore broader struggles. Ultimately, they make it to a final showdown with Harvard.
Is it any good?
Based on a true story and produced by Oprah Winfrey, this earnest-till-it-hurts film has a lot of the characteristics of the typical "underdog" movie: personal hardship, social oppression, and resilient spirits. The titular team, fortunately, features a set of wonderful young performers, including Nate Parker as Henry Lewis and the terrific Jurnee Smollett as Wiley College's first female debater, Samantha Booke. Despite its formulaic plot and overstated, string-heavy score, The Great Debaters reminds viewers of an important early moment in Civil Rights history, showcasing the resilience of youthful idealism and wisdom that comes from experience.
What 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?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great, inspirational, sensational, must see
A little disturbing, violent images of African Americans. One was hung and burned.
All in all, everyone over 12 should see it.
The N word a few times.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Tough subject matter and scenes of violence, sexual beheviour, don't take away from amazing lessons this movie teaches!
We watched this movie in school, that's how educational and powerful it is. Although there's a lot of violence, such as gun shots, lynching, and fist fights, as well as some sexual and squeamish scences, it doesn't take away from the powerful messages this movie presents about racism and acceptance. There are some great role models, such as Samantha, the first female member of the Wiley College debate team, and James Jr, who's attending college at the age of 14, and one of the brightest debaters on the team. Some stuff might be a little tough for younger kids to chew, like views on communism and scenes of rebellion and a barn burning resulting from it, but with a little bit of explaination and education on the topics, this movie proves to be very intresting and valuable in the lessons it teaches. This definetaly made my "Best Movies" list!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
One of the best movies of 2007
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This did look like a boring movie but after I saw it I was very surprised.There are many parts many not be inappropriate for kids under the age of 12.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
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.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
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+
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Weinstein Co. |
| Director: | Denzel Washington |
| Cast: | Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 123 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 24, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | May 12, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality. |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
