1930s: Controversial and temperamental debate coach, Professor Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington) is determined to challenge the status quo of the time, using unconventional and ferocious teaching methods to shape a debate team at Wiley College, a small African American university in Texas. Fighting against all odds and paving their way to success, the team reaches a pivotal moment when they are faced with one of their greatest challenges yet... going up against Harvard University's white, privileged and critically acclaimed national championship debate team. This "affirming and inspiring" movie, directed by Academy Award Winner Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey features a superb A-List cast: Denzel Washington (Unstoppable, The Book of Eli, American Gangster), Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, Repo Men, Catch .44), Nate Parker (The Secret Life Of Bees, Felon, Pride) and Denzel Whitaker (My Soul To Take, Bad Lieutenant, Training Day).