Inspired by the remarkable story of Wiley College's winning debate team of the early 1930s and set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, "The Great Debaters" chronicles the journey of an embattled debate team. Coached by the brilliant and passionate professor Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington), it was Tolson's recognition that the power of knowledge is the greatest advantage of all, that transformed the students from underdogs to victors in a time when more than just the odds were against them.