Analysis of Great Debaters by Adesogan Olubukola

AN ANALYSIS OF THE MOVIE: THE GREAT DEBATERS
BUKOLA ADANNA ADESOGAN

The plot: The plot of this movie by Denzel Washington, "The Great Debaters," revolves around the true story about the all-black Wiley College debate team which, in 1935 Marshall, Texas, did what nobody had done before it. They found power in words and their own voices. Frustrated by the oppression restricting them at a time when racial discrimination was rampant and lynching of black people in Texas was very common, they decided to come forward and reach white America by debating at mostly white schools. The movie is a biographic film in the sense that it deals with a particular period in time; 1930s. it combines two dimensions i.e. the Wiley college’s victory and the achievement of securing a debate with Harvard University and the situation in Texas during this period.

The Theme: The film talks about the importance of education and the acquisition of knowledge for social change, the passion for excellence as seen in the character of the debate coach, Melvin Tolson, the need to stand for something u love with all your heart and the inhuman cruelty of racism.
Racial discrimination: this is the major theme in this movie. This is seen in the way the blacks were treated by the whites as though they were less of a human being.
Passion: The passion for standing up to your beliefs is seen in this movie as the debaters proceed to systematically turn out victorious in their debates until their voices were heard by the white people.
Betrayal and hurt is seen in the eyes of Samantha Booke when Henry Lowe, with whom she had an affair, flaunted his other woman right in front of her.
Shame is evident in their expressions when the came across the Negro that was tied up and burnt by white people.
friendship and solidarity between the debaters can be observed.

Formal Expectation:
The movie was for the most part, highly predictable, it was expected that the Wiley college debate team win the debate against Harvard University
Cheated expectation:
There was cheated expectation in the fact that Mr Tolson did not accompany them to Harvard and the fact that the debate topic was changed. Also, The film went largely as expected which was disappointing because it took the obvious course. They won all their debates, lost just one and won the debate against Harvard. The debaters did not experience enough difficulties and the final debate could have done with a little suspense. Also, the viewer would not have expected Tolson to show up at Harvard because of the restraint placed on him by the sheriff and as he appeared, it was expected of him to have at least revealed himself to his debate team but he did not.

Surprise and suspense: The only notable suspense was the tension at the end of the movie before the winner of the debate between Wiley College and Harvard University was announced, also, when Tolson and James Farmer jr were running away to avoid being caught at the meeting with the farm hands that Mr Tolson went for.


Causes an Effect:
Because of the scenario they witnessed on their way to debate where they say a black man tied up and burnt to a stake, Henry Lowe took to drinking which led to his acting out of line which led to Samantha Brooke’s getting hurt which led to her decision to quit the debate team which led to James Farmer Junior’s having the opportunity to debate for the first time which in turn led to the Wiley college’s first defeat.

Depth of story treatment: The story portrays the characters’ psychological state in various ways, Pastor James Farmer is portrayed as a strict and caring father who pushes his son to be the best he possibly can, James Farmer Junior can be seen to be very eager to please his father and very proud of his father, Samantha Booke is a young lady who is obviously easily carried away. This is observed by the speed at with she rushed into intimate relations with Henry Lowe. Henry Lowe however is a self-important young man who is not good at containing his grief. This is observed when he goes out for a session of alcoholic indulgence after witnessing the burning of a Negro by the white people. The teacher, Mr. Tolson can be seen as a fearless and strong willed person, doing what he believes despite the fact that his beliefs could and did eventually get him arrested.

Mis-en-Scene: Generally the shots used were medium shots during the debates which emphasized the conversational style, however, at the last scene of the debate, there was a wide angle shot as well as a crane movement which gives the view of the audience in the debate hall. The lighting was appriopriate for the 1930s setting and the costume captured the period very well.
• The behavior of the characters: Mr Tolson, a university professor and the coordinator of the Wiley college debate team believes in educating people, developing their mind to bring about change, he doesn’t believe in violence but academic resistance to oppression. He is very optimistic with a passion for excellence and he believes in social justice.
• Farmer Snr is a very religious and complacent man, he believes that the status quo should not be changed. And he is a very strict parent who wants and expects nothing but the best from his son.
• James Farmer Jnr is completely different from his father in a way, he joined the debate team and eventually established a congress fighting for the rights and emancipation of the black people. He is inexperienced and very young and he is dependent on his father though he is very courageous.
• Henry Lowe didn’t have a proper upbringing as he has spent most of his life parentless and alone so he is more likely to be involved in social ills, he has little respect for elders and he covers up his soft interior by being callous and hard.
• Samantha Brooke wants to achieve despite her gender and despite the fact that she would be competing against the male gender, this does not deter her at all.