Is that Harvard on the Silver Screen?

The Great Debaters, 2007 This stirring film starred Denzel Washington as an inspirational debate team coach who leads a team of students from segregated Texas to a victory against Harvard. Though the showdown was fictional, coach Melvin Tolson and the Wiley College debate team were very real, and their story was moving enough to be the first filmed on Harvard ground in years.
David Lee/TWC
By Sarah Thomas / Town Correspondent

The Great Debaters, 2007

This stirring film starred Denzel Washington as an inspirational debate team coach who leads a team of students from segregated Texas to a victory against Harvard. Though the showdown was fictional, coach Melvin Tolson and the Wiley College debate team were very real, and their story was moving enough to be the first filmed on Harvard ground in years.