Claim: The Great Debaters features Jurnee Smollett in a starring role.

The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel Washington . It is based on an article written about the Wiley College debate team by Tony Scherman for the spring 1997 issue of American Legacy .   The film co-stars Forest Whitaker , Kimberly Elise , Nate Parker , Gina Ravera , Jermaine Williams and Jurnee Smollett . The screenplay was written by Robert Eisele . The film was released in theaters on December 25 , 2007 .