The Great Debaters
2007 · 126 min · Director: Denzel Washington
Show plot summary (may contain spoilers)
Marshall, Texas, described by James Farmer, Jr. as "the last city to surrender after the Civil War," is home to Wiley College, where, in 1935-36, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and his clandestine work as a union organizer, Professor Melvin Tolson coaches the debate team to a nearly-undefeated season that sees the first debate between U.S. students from white and Negro colleges and ends with an invitation to face Harvard University's national champions. The team of four, which includes a female student and a very young James Farmer, is tested in a crucible heated by Jim Crow, sexism, a lynch mob, an arrest and near riot, a love affair, jealousy, and a national radio audience.
Emotional fingerprint
The Great Debaters (2007) — Movie. Top emotional signals: Inspiration 35%, Empathy 25%, Sadness 15%. Source: AI estimate. Shares describe emotional signal, not percentages of people. Your experience may differ. How we measure
- Inspiration35%
- Empathy25%
- Sadness15%
- Tension15%
- Satisfaction10%
AI estimate · no viewer votes yet
How we measure
AI estimate
Share of emotional signal, not the percentage of people or a probability of enjoyment.
Each viewer contributes one response, split equally across their selected emotions. When available, an automated estimate supplies a prior that is blended with those responses. Counts include distinct viewers, not automated estimates or archived anonymous votes. Fewer than 3 viewers is an early estimate; more responses do not guarantee certainty.
Why it feels this way
The strongest emotional signals are Inspiration, Empathy, Sadness. Genres: Drama, Romance, Biography. AI estimate.
Is it worth watching?
Consider this title if you are looking for Inspiration, Empathy and Sadness. Its IMDb rating of 7.5/10 suggests a generally positive audience reception. For these leading emotions, its Feel Score is 73/100.
How did it make you feel?
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Pick up to three · 0/3
Emotional journey
- Inspiration
- Tension
- Disturbing
Not enough subtitle evidence
No dominant emotion
Dominant emotion: Inspiration
Dominant emotion: Tension
Dominant emotion: Disturbing
Dominant emotion: Joy
Dominant emotion: Sadness
Dominant emotion
| % | Approximate minute | Dominant emotion | Overall intensity | Inspiration | Tension | Disturbing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 % | ≈ 3′ | Inspiration | 37 % | 32 % | 20 % | 13 % |
| 7.5 % | ≈ 9′ | Inspiration | 36 % | 31 % | 24 % | 10 % |
| 12.5 % | ≈ 16′ | Inspiration | 41 % | 26 % | 34 % | 15 % |
| 17.5 % | ≈ 22′ | Tension | 56 % | 25 % | 46 % | 38 % |
| 22.5 % | ≈ 28′ | Disturbing | 64 % | 31 % | 49 % | 50 % |
| 27.5 % | ≈ 35′ | Tension | 58 % | 31 % | 50 % | 36 % |
| 32.5 % | ≈ 41′ | Tension | 51 % | 31 % | 44 % | 21 % |
| 37.5 % | ≈ 47′ | Inspiration | 53 % | 41 % | 36 % | 18 % |
| 42.5 % | ≈ 54′ | Inspiration | 55 % | 49 % | 38 % | 18 % |
| 47.5 % | ≈ 60′ | Inspiration | 55 % | 46 % | 36 % | 18 % |
| 52.5 % | ≈ 66′ | Joy | 56 % | 39 % | 44 % | 24 % |
| 57.5 % | ≈ 72′ | Tension | 66 % | 29 % | 63 % | 48 % |
| 62.5 % | ≈ 79′ | Disturbing | 77 % | 21 % | 66 % | 66 % |
| 67.5 % | ≈ 85′ | Sadness | 71 % | 31 % | 45 % | 46 % |
| 72.5 % | ≈ 91′ | Inspiration | 59 % | 39 % | 35 % | 15 % |
| 77.5 % | ≈ 98′ | Tension | 58 % | 36 % | 48 % | 15 % |
| 82.5 % | ≈ 104′ | Inspiration | 65 % | 43 % | 58 % | 39 % |
| 87.5 % | ≈ 110′ | Sadness | 76 % | 54 % | 64 % | 60 % |
| 92.5 % | ≈ 117′ | Inspiration | 85 % | 67 % | 68 % | 70 % |
| 97.5 % | ≈ 123′ | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence | Not enough subtitle evidence |
AI reading of the film’s English subtitles (dialogue and sound cues) — not viewer votes. How we measure ↗
Kadri — your film companion
AIAsk anything about The Great Debaters. From the film’s own dialogue and FeelDB data, at your spoiler level.
Afterward Reveal viewer responses · may contain spoilers
Viewer responses about feelings after the title ended, separate from feelings while watching. No AI estimates.
0 responses so far
Feeling details appear after at least 3 viewers respond, to protect privacy.
Cast
Ruth Tolson
Nathaniel Farmer
Pig Owner
Dunbar Reed
Harland Osbourne
Harvard Debater #2
Harvard Dean
Details
- Directed by
- Denzel Washington
- Written by
- Robert Eisele, Jeffrey Porro, Tony Scherman
- Type
- Movies
- Released
- 2007
- Runtime
- 126 min
- Country
- United States
- Ratings
- Feels mostly
- Inspiration
- Data updated
Where to watch
Subscription
Rent
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