Review of The Great Debaters (2007) by Soff A — 28 Mar 2009

"The Great Debaters" is a very fine film. It reminds us of what it means to be excellent, to stand for something good, to love with all our hearts, and to shine. The performances, or the cinematography, historical care, or directorship all lift it out of the ordinary. And in its difficult subject: racial tension and the education and discovery of values by the three young debaters from Wiley College, one of the oldest colleges in America it creates real excitement, and interest.

But the real reason that this is a fine film lies in is its plea that in education lies the reasoning, the power, and the will to change history. That learning lies not just in knowledge but also in applying that knowledge to better yourself, your world, and all of humanity. The very significant point of the film is at the end. I can forgive the slight drag here and there because the ending is magnificent and explains something crucial about American history by its finish.

From an era when bigotry, racism, and degrading behavior was a wretched norm to our era where values are mutable, where dumbing down has no limits, and taste little place; "The Great Debaters" stands out as being a story that stands against all of these things.