Film

The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College

2008 · 1h 14m · Documentary

The story that inspired a film. The achievement that inspired a nation.

IMDb

7.6

Inspired by the critically acclaimed Hollywood film The Great Debaters, The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College unveils the true story of Wiley College’s 1935 debate team and their groundbreaking defeat of the all-white reigning national championship debate team at the University of Southern California. Shattering racial stereotypes and overcoming adversity against great odds, these courageous young debaters emerged triumphant, commanding not only the respect of their peers... but of the nation. Influenced by their coach Melvin B. Tolson, the Wiley College debaters would go on to devote their talents to the causes of civil justice and social progress and become leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The film comes full-circle, as the legacies of The Great Debaters inspire Wiley’s new debate team as it seeks to reclaim its glory on the national stage.

Gail Beil

Self

Eleanor Boswell

Self

Thomas Freeman

Self

Lewis Keys

Self

Nate Parker

Self

Adam Clayton Powell III

Self

Haywood Strickland

Self

Harry Thomas

Self

Melvin B. Tolson Jr.

Self

Arthur Tolson

Self

• Brad OsborneDirector

Release date

September 10, 2008

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

1h 14m

Genres

Documentary