“Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do.” So says a college professor in speaking to his son. He then sends him off to do his homework. The young man eventually does realize a dream by speaking on his school’s debate team. This film is an emotionally moving and well-made production with top notch acting all the way around. The movie is based on the true story of the Wiley debating team, based in Marshall, Texas, which began winning competition after competition in 1935. This all-black team eventually meets the Harvard debating team face to face in an historically remembered competition.

Although the importance of education in this film is to be applauded, as well as its spiritual scenes, there is a very graphic scene of a hanging man, in addition to some strong language, which stops the film short of being a family-friendly picture.