Factual error: When challenged by Henry Lowe, Professor Tolson begins to recite the infamous William Lynch speech. However, the speech was proved to be a hoax that was actually written in the 1990s. No text could have existed at the time of this scene for Tolson to quote.
The Great Debaters (2007)
1 factual error
Directed by: Denzel Washington
Starring: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker
Factual error: When challenged by Henry Lowe, Professor Tolson begins to recite the infamous William Lynch speech. However, the speech was proved to be a hoax that was actually written in the 1990s. No text could have existed at the time of this scene for Tolson to quote.
Melvin B. Tolson: Denigrate. There's a word for you. From the Latin word "niger", to defame, to blacken. It's always there, isn't it? Even in the dictionary. Even in the speech of a Negro professor. Somehow, "black" is always equated with failure.