I stopped going to the movie theater after I purchased a three thousand dollar big screen television twenty years ago. My brother, Napoleon called yesterday and told me that I had to go see “The Great Debaters”. I was reluctant to go but then gave in to my brother and my wife, Debra’s wishes that I go.

The movie is based on a true story, which revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) at the historical black Wiley College to help his team be able to compete with and beat other white colleges in the American south during the Jim Crow Era. The Wiley team eventually reaches the point where they participate in a debate with Harvard University. 

The Great Debaters is a film produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions, based on an article about the Wiley College debate team by Tony Scherman. It is directed by Denzel Washington who also stars in the film along with Forrest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, Gina Ravera, and Jurnee Smollett. Suzan-Lori Parks and Robert Eisele wrote the screen play. The film was released on Christmas day 2007. 

I don’t want to give away too much information about the movie so I am stopping here only to say “It is a must see movie!”

In the words of my dad: “Stay away from the pig ears and fried pork chops.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.”