Melvin B. Tolson is a professor at Wiley College in Texas. Wiley is a small African-American college. In 1935, Tolson inspired students to form the school's first debate team. Tolson turns a group of underdog students into a historically elite debate team which goes on to challenge Harvard in the national championship. Inspired by a true story.

Parental guidance due to violence, sexual content & coarse language. In English and French with optional English, French and Spanish subtitles.

Special features: deleted scenes; "The great debaters : an historical perspective;" "That's what my baby likes," music video; "My soul is a witness," music video.