Drama /

Score: 72.5%( 643 votes )

Overview: The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African-American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

Cast:

Denzel Whitaker
James Farmer Jr.

Denzel Washington
Melvin B. Tolson

Nate Parker
Henry Lowe

Jurnee Smollett
Samantha Booke

Forest Whitaker
Dr. James Farmer Sr.

Kimberly Elise
Pearl Farmer

Jermaine Williams
Hamilton Burgess

Gina Ravera
Ruth Tolson

John Heard
Sheriff Dozier

Devyn A. Tyler
Helen Farmer

Trenton McClain Boyd
Nathaniel Farmer

Ritchie Montgomery
Deputy

Jackson Walker
Pig Owner

Tim Parati
Pig Farmer

Robert X. Golphin
Dunbar Reed

Justice Leak
Harland Osbourne

Glen Powell
Harvard Debater #1

Brad Watkins
Harvard Debater #2

Brian Smiar
Harvard Dean

Damien Leake
Wilson

Voltaire Sterling
Paul Quinn Debater #1

Stephen Rider
Paul Quinn Debater #2

Gordon Danniels
Paul Quinn Debate Judge

Donny Boaz
Oklahoma City College Debater #1

Samuel Elliott Whisnant
Oklahoma City College Debater #2

Bonnie Johnson
Dr. Jennings

Charissa Allen
Benita

Michael Beasley
Trudell

Gary Mathis
Enormous Man

George Wilson
Samuel

Fahnlohnee R. Harris
Clementine

Harold Evans
William Taylor

J.D. Evermore
Captain Wainwright

Sharon Jones
Lila

Kelvin Payton
Joseph

Southey Blanton
White Labor Organizer

Michael Mattison
White Sharecropper #1

Jeff Braun
White Sharecropper #2

Milton R. Gipson
Prairie View Professor

Frank Ridley
Security Guard

Jeremiah Kissel
Radio Announcer at Harvard Debate

Jack Radosta
White Man at Lynching

Alvin Youngblood Hart
Juke Joint Musician #1

Dom Flemons
Juke Joint Musician #2

Justin Robinson
Juke Joint Musician #3

Rhiannon Giddens
Juke Joint Musician #4

Ahmad Powell
Fisk Professor

Marcus Lyle Brown
Howard Debater #1

Gary Mattis
Enormous Man

Kevin Beard
Klansman at Lynching (uncredited)