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The Great Debaters
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Synopsis
Drawing inspiration from the true story of a temperamental debate coach who molded the students of a small East Texas college into a formidable team that gave Harvard's squad a run for their money in the 1930s, Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters features the director himself as the ambitious educator, and Forest Whitaker as the resentful father of a student whose loyalties now lie almost exclusively with his coach. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Cast

Michael Deak Puppeteer
John Heard Sheriff Dozier
Damien Leake Wilson
Gregory Nicotero Puppeteer
Brian Smiar Harvard Dean
Denzel Washington Melvin B. Tolson
Forest Whitaker James Farmer Sr.
Ritchie Montgomery Deputy
Jack Radosta White Man at Lynching
Gina Ravera Ruth Tolson
Kimberly Elise
Kimberly Elise Pearl Farmer
Tim Parati Pig Farmer
Jurnee Smollett Samantha Booke
Gino Crognale Puppeteer
Bonnie Johnson Dr. Jennings
Michael Mattison White Sharecropper #1
Steve Rider Paul Quinn Debater #2
J.D. Evermore Captain Wainwright
Fahnlohnee R. Harris Clementine
Alvin Youngblood Hart Juke Joint Musician #1
Marcus Brown Howard Debater #1
Glen Powell Jr. Harvard Debater #1
Jeremiah Kissel Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate
Jermaine Williams Hamilton Burgess
Justice Leak Harland Osbourne
Alex Diaz Puppeteer
Nate Parker
Nate Parker Henry Lowe
Frank Ridley Security Guard
Harold Evans William Taylor
Gordon Daniels Paul Quinn Debate Judge
Denzel Whitaker James Farmer Jr.
Devyn Tyler Helen Farmer
Trenton McClain Boyd Nathanial Farmer
Jackson Walker Pig Owner
Robert X. Golphin Dunbar Reed
Brad Watkins Harvard Debater #2
Voltaire Rico Sterling Paul Quinn Debater #1
Donny Boaz Oklahoma City College Debater #1
Sam Whisnant Oklahoma City College Debater #2
Charissa Allen Benita
Michael Beasley Trudell
Gary Mathis Enormous Man
George Wilson Samuel
Sharon Jones Lila
Kelvin Payton Joseph
Southey Blanton White Labor Organizer
Jeff Braun White Sharecropper #2
Milton R. Gipson Prairie View Professor
Dominique Flemons Juke Joint Musician #2
Justin Robinson Juke Joint Musician #3
Rhiannon Giddens Juke Joint Musician #4
Ahmad Powell Fisk Professor

Production Crew

Geraud Brisson Additional Editing
Erin Oakley ADR Editor
Brian Smith ADR Mixer
Howard London ADR Mixer
Kim Drummond ADR Supervisor
Kate Carlin ADR Voice Casting
Gary Tolbert Aerial Photography
Julian Sylvester Animal Trainer/Wrangler
Tammy Peck Animal Trainer/Wrangler
Dillon Jim Breithaupt Art Department Assistant
Shellie Gillespie Art Department Coordinator
John R. Jenson Art Director
Rob Simons Assistant Art Director
Jodie Stern Assistant Costumer Designer
Valerie Gladstone Assistant Hair
Christina Decharles Assistant Location Manager
Denise Pugh-Ruiz Assistant Makeup
Barbara Mcdermott Assistant Music Editor
Nicki Johnson Assistant Production Coordinator
C. Alan Berry Assistant Properties
Virle Reid Assistant Properties
Helen Britten Assistant Set Decorator
Eryne Prine Assistant Sound Editor
James Babineaux Best Boy Electric
Riko Schatke Best Boy Grip
Gary A. Theard Boom Operator
Steven Huerstel Cable Person
Tiffani L. Stephenson Camera Loader
Mark La Bonge Camera Operator
Pamela Rittelmeyer Camera Operator
Xiomara Comrie Camera Operator
Denise Chamian Casting
Natalie Ballesteros Casting Assistant
Angela Demo Casting Associate
Philippe Rousselot Cinematographer
Molly Allen Co-producer
Lee Wimer Color Timing
James Newton Howard Composer (Music Score)
John Newton Howard Composer (Music Score)
Peter Golub Composer (Music Score)
Gavin Greenaway Conductor
Jerry G. Henery Construction Coordinator
Dean Allison Construction Foreman
Scott Childers Construction Foreman
Andree Fortier Costume Designer
Frank Rose Costume Designer
Krystle Lamoreaux Costume Designer
Lauren Wade Costume Designer
Liz Staub Costume Designer
Meriwether Nichols Costume Designer
Rachel A. Walker Costume Designer
Ren Heeralal Costume Designer
Renee Dodson Clapp Costume Designer
Sharen Davis Costume Designer
Susan Thomas Costume Designer
Toby Michael Bronson Costume Designer
Dana Hart Costumes Supervisor
Arthur Welch Craft Service/Catering
Brian Stuart Craft Service/Catering
Gala Catering Craft Service/Catering
Nancy James Craft Service/Catering
Carl Fullerton Department Head Hair
Kenneth Walker Department Head Hair
Larry Cherry Department Head Hair
Natalie Brown DGA Intern
Scott G.G. Haller Dialogue Editor
Denzel Washington Director
Darryl "D-Man" Humber Dolly Grip
Adrian Cannon Driver
Annette Ansley Driver
Beverly Reeves Driver
Billy West Driver
Brent Dahlin Driver
Bret Carroll Driver
C. Gavin Roberson Driver
Dale Moser Driver
Dan Hines Driver
Dave Balsey Driver
Dave Glavin Driver
De Anna Panian Driver
Eugene Purcell Driver
Joe Hancock Driver
John DeVay Driver
John Gregorio Driver
Johnny B. Antwine Driver
Jorge Loredo Driver
Jorge Vasquez Driver
Juan Echanarria Driver
Kim Magruder Driver
Monte Emery Driver
Phil K. Frost Driver
Richard Benavidez Driver
Richard Lengle Driver
Robert L. Smith Driver
Steve Driggers Driver
Wende Martin Driver
Hughes Winborne Editor
John Breinholt Editor
Bryan Booth Electrician
Phillip Abeyta Electrician
Simone Perusse Electrician
Stephen Thorp Electrician
Bob Weinstein Executive Producer
David Crockett Executive Producer
Harvey Weinstein Executive Producer
Anne Scott First Assistant Accountant
Sean O'Shea First Assistant Camera
Jono Oliver First Assistant Director
Jacob Riehle First Assistant Sound Editor
Amy Kane Foley Artist
Anita Cannella Foley Artist
Elizabeth Rainey Foley Artist
Michael Dressel Foley Editor
Carmine Rubino Foley Mixer
Jonathon Klein Foley Supervisor
Jack English Gaffer
Larry Misselhorn Greensman
Ryan Misselhorn Greensman
Donny Fowler Grip
Gary Kelso Grip
Gina Cassidy Grip
Giovanni Bommarito Grip
Kerry G. Rawlins Grip
Andrea Bowman Hair Styles
Andrea Young Hair Styles
Janice Hudson Hair Styles
Riki Sabusawa-Roach Key Costumer
Alan Rawlins Key Grip
Belinda Anderson Key Hairstylist
Matiki Anoff Key Make-up
Tommy Samona Leadman
Kei Rowan Young Location Manager
Latoya Green Makeup
Linda Lazar Makeup
Nikki Brown Makeup
Gregory Nicotero Makeup Special Effects
Howard Berger Makeup Special Effects
Todd Kasow Music Editor
G. Marq Roswell Musical Direction/Supervision
Billy Rivers & the Angelic Voices of Faith Musical Performer
Charles Lacy Musical Performer
Dr. Larry Pannell Musical Performer
Hugh Burns Musical Performer
John Parricelli Musical Performer
Maya Beiser Musical Performer
Stephen Hayes Musical Performer
Rita Pearson Personal Assistant
Stephanetta Bingley Personal Assistant
R.C. Baral & Company Post Production Accountant
Ian Crockett Post Production Coordinator
Brian McNulty Post Production Supervisor
Joe Roth Producer
Kate Forte Producer
Oprah Winfrey Producer
Todd Black Producer
Christine Coggins Producer's Assistant
Jenna Block Producer's Assistant
Rob Brown Producer's Assistant
Shannon Thompson Producer's Assistant
Alison Cannon Production Accountant
David Hickey Production Accountant
Mindy Jones Production Accountant
Alajahwon Ridgeway Production Assistant
Andria Warren Production Assistant
Antonio Caetano Santos Production Assistant
Danny Anderson Production Assistant
David Heffler Production Assistant
Hodge Grigsby Production Assistant
Jason Halley Production Assistant
Meredith Wieck Production Assistant
Patrick Pfupajena Production Assistant
Rick R. Weaver II Production Assistant
Terry Harris Production Assistant
Theresa Lee Production Assistant
Trae Carter Production Assistant
Jeff Valeri Production Coordinator
David James Bomba Production Designer
Natalia Anderson Production Secretary
Valerie Beth Sharp Production Supervisor
John Bankson Properties Master
Greg Orloff Re-Recording Mixer
Rick Kline Re-Recording Mixer
Tateum Kohut Re-Recording Mixer
Jeffrey Porro Screen Story
Robert Eisele Screen Story
Robert Eisele Screenwriter
Karen Golden Script Supervisor
Fred Shear Second Assistant Accountant
Jamie Horwitz Second Assistant Accountant
Gregg Hale Second Assistant Director
Kali R. Harrison Second Second Assistant Director
Patrick Cassidy Set Decorator
Chad Harris Set Dresser
Ed Burcham Set Dresser
Gordon Thomas Set Dresser
Joey Kent Set Dresser
Phillip Joffrion Set Dresser
Diane Davis Set Medic/First Aid
Nannette Palmer Set Medic/First Aid
Herwig Maurer Sound Effects Editor
John Marquis Sound Effects Editor
Jon Wakeham Sound Effects Editor
Tim Tuchrello Sound Effects Editor
Fred W. III Peck Sound Recordist
Dorian Cheah Sound/Sound Designer
Willie D. Burton Sound/Sound Designer
Jeffery D. Woodrel Special Effects Coordinator
Jack Lynch Special Effects Supervisor
Mark La Bonge Steadicam Operator
David C. Lee Still Photographer
Gary Thomas Storyboard Artist
Bobby Beckles Stunts
Eric Norris Stunts
Gregg Brazzel Stunts
Gus Williams Stunts
Jack Little Stunts
Jim Henry Stunts
Joe Williams Stunts
Kevin Beard Stunts
Lex D. Geddings Stunts
Robert Powell Stunts
Russell Towery Stunts
Thirl R. Haston Stunts
Tim Antwine Stunts
Stephen Pope Stunts Coordinator
Steven T. Ritzi Stunts Coordinator
Kami Asgar Supervising Sound Editor
Sean McCormack Supervising Sound Editor
Bruce Schluter Title Design
Pacific Title Title Design
Justin Nance Transportation Captain
Rick Davis Transportation Captain
Ted Moser Transportation Coordinator
David Crockett Unit Production Manager
Cid Swank Unit Publicist
Dan Furst Video Assist
Brian McNulty Visual Effects Producer
Year: 2007
Runtime:
Country: USA
MPAA Rating:
for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexuality
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Color type
Fujifilm
Kodak
Technicolor

Sound
Dolby Digital
DTS
SDDS

Produced by
Harpo Films
Weinstein Company

Release
December 25, 2007 (USA)
by MGM
Weinstein Co.

Awards
2007 - The Bvlgari Award for NBR Freedom of Expression - National Board of Review
2007 - Best Picture - Drama - Golden Globe
2007 - Best Picture - African American Film Critics
2007 - Best Picture - Drama - Hollywood Foreign Press Association