The Great Debaters

Set in the 1930s, this film follows the journey of a debate team from Wiley College, a historically black college in Texas, as they challenge the status quo and aim to compete against Harvard in the national championship. Denzel Washington stars and directs, bringing to life the inspiring story of Melvin B. Tolson, the team’s coach, who motivates his students to find their voices amidst the racial tensions of the era. The film also features Forest Whitaker, adding depth to the narrative with his compelling performance. Notably, the movie was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. For those interested, it can be viewed for free on Soap2day.