|
AMS PICTURES PRESS RELEASE
Released On:
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
|
AMS Pictures
214.646.9309
|
|
A "GREAT" DOCUMENTARY
A review by Lana K. Wilson-Combs
|
|
Last year Denzel Washington directed and starred in the powerful and inspirational movie, "The Great Debaters." Despite critical acclaim, the film was virtually ignored for mainstream awards consideration.
"The Great Debaters" docudrama was based on a true story about Wiley College's 1935 African-American debate team and their coach Melvin B. Tolson (Washington). The film drew controversy because it took creative license and showed that the Wiley College debate team had defeated Harvard University. The truth was that the little Texas college soundly defeated the all-white reigning national championship debate team at the University of Southern California (USC).
This new DVD, "The Real Great Debaters," is directed by Brad Osborne and sets the record straight. It's a riveting documentary that picks up where Washington's film left off.
"The Real Great Debaters" features archival footage and newspaper accounts as well as interviews with historians and family members, and friends discussing growing up with the talented debaters that included Hobart Jarrett, Hamilton Boswell, Rudolph Henry Heights, James Farrmer, Jr., and Henrietta B. Wells.
It is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these courageous young men and women who against insurmountable odds dared to dream and believe. They emerged triumphant and left an indelible mark in history.
(Highly Recommended)
# # #
|
|
