Copyright © 2007 The Weinstein Company Inc. Written By: Robert Eisele (screenplay); Robert Eisele and Jeffrey Porro (story) THE GREAT DEBATERS is inspired by the remarkable story of Wiley College’s winning debate team of the early 1930s. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, THE GREAT DEBATERS chronicles the journey of the Wiley College debate team—coached by the brilliant and passionate professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington). It was Tolson’s recognition that the power of knowledge is the greatest advantage of all, which brought these students from underdogs to victors in a time when more than the odds were against them. Rating: Director: Denzel Washington Cast: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, and Kimberly Elise. Opening Date: December 25, 2007

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Meet the Writer

Some years ago writer Robert Eisele’s friend Jeffrey Porro brought to his attention a two-page article “The Great Debaters” written by freelance writer Tony Scherman in the magazine, American Legacy.  Eisele explains, “Jeff Porro is a Washington, DC speech writer, with a PhD in Political Science who knew my taste for social realism and gritty, intelligent stories.”

Eisele immediately recognized the debate coach, Melvin B. Tolson, considered one of the best African American poets of the Twentieth Century. Eisele recalls, “I was aware of Melvin B. Tolson’s poetry since I’m a published poet myself, but I had no idea he had trained on his debate teams of the 1930s—the students who would become the Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s and 1960s.”

Some characters, like Tolson, James Farmer Sr. and James Farmer, Jr. are based on historical figures. Eisele recounts, “Jeff and I spent the next two years researching the facts about the Wiley team and interviewing many of the surviving debaters, including James Farmer, Jr. shortly before his death in 1999.  It was an honor to speak to him, the man who led the Freedom Rides.”

For many of the other characters, Eisele created composites.  He was committed to making the debate team representational and staying true to their passion so he incorporated the stories about their experiences and relationships.

Benjamin Bell, a member of the 1936-1939 team noted in Scherman’s article, “Schools were afraid of debating us.  Every time they did, they got their pants kicked.  How do you think they felt, getting spanked by a little Jim Crow school from the badlands of Texas!”

In an interview with Robert Eisele, Henrietta Bell, one of the first women members of the team,  fondly remembered teammate Henry Heights who was a brilliant orator and the team anchor.  “He was a freshman when I was a freshman.  He was very suave and he could say anything in a debate.  Sometimes it was brilliant but sometimes he could be ridiculous.  When it came to the character of Henry Lowe, Eisele was able to instill a lot of the passion and energy that Heights was known for.  Ms. Bell’s spirit, drive and expertise were clearly captured in the character of Samantha Booke played by Jurnee Smollett.

For the article Scherman was also very interested in finding out how the debaters’ lives turned out.  “Hobart Jarrett, class of 1936, became an English professor at Brooklyn College; Hamilton Boswell, class of 1938, became a Methodist preacher; and Henrietta Bell, class of 1934, became a social worker.

As for the flamboyant Heights, its thought he became a preacher but there’s no trail of him since the mid-forties.

“Tolson loved doing this.  He wasn’t paid to do it, he was paid to teach English,” shares Tolson Jr.  Scherman adds, “He loved the challenge of masterminding the debates, loved toppling vicious stereotypes, loved the laurels he was winning for Wiley and himself.  Tolson loved to win.”  It was this drive and commitment that Eisele and Porro wanted to build the story around.  Once that was in place they were ready to bring the project to Harpo.

A prolific television writer and producer, Eisele tackled the project with Porro. Subsequently, Harpo Films, Oprah Winfrey’s production company, jumped on Eisele & Porro’s pitch.  “After hearing Bob Eisele’s pitch, Harpo Films was compelled to get involved.  We jumped at the chance.  It is rare to have that strong, unwavering excitement to option a story.  There was no doubt on our part,” notes Producer Kate Forte.  Thus, began the development process.

Once finished, Eisele’s screenplay massaged the historical facts of Wiley College in the 1930s, and turned it into a compelling fictionalized feature film that focused on one year with the debate team.  By following four students in 1935, one who was James Farmer Jr., Eisele’s screenplay depicts why Wiley College had one of the best debate teams of the time.