The Color Purple (1985)

The life and trials of a young African American woman.

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Alice Walker (novel), Menno Meyjes (screenplay)

Stars:

Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery

Nominated for 11 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Glover	...	Albert
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Celie Johnson
Margaret Avery	...	Shug Avery
Oprah Winfrey	...	Sofia
Willard E. Pugh	...	Harpo Johnson (as Willard Pugh)
Akosua Busia	...	Nettie Harris
Desreta Jackson	...	Young Celie Harris
Adolph Caesar	...	Old Mister Johnson
Rae Dawn Chong	...	Squeak
Dana Ivey	...	Miss Millie
Leonard Jackson	...	Pa Harris
Bennet Guillory	...	Grady
John Patton Jr.	...	Preacher
Carl Anderson	...	Reverend Samuel
Susan Beaubian	...	Corrine

Storyline

This film follows the life of Celie, a young black girl growing up in the early 1900's. The first time we see Celie, she is 14 - and pregnant - by her father. We stay with her for the next 30 years of her tough life...

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Plot Keywords:

girl | 1900s | african american | letter | roadhouse | 

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Taglines:

It's about life. It's about love. It's about us.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

El color púrpura

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$94,175,854 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblin Entertainment, Guber-Peters Company, The, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oprah Winfrey's first movie.

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Goofs

In the scene in which Celie has on Shug's dress in Shug's bedroom, Shug makes Celie look in the dresser mirror. There is another mirror on the dresser in which a crew members head is visible.

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Quotes

Sophia: I loves Harpo, God knows I do. But I'll kill him dead 'fo I let him beat me.

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #6.90 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Old Ship of Zion"
Written by Thomas A. Dorsey

User Reviews

Remarkably moving story from the maestro

This is a truly wonderful film from the guru of directing, Mr Steven Spielberg. This great director has suffered much criticism throughout his career. He was slammed by a lot of the press for 'never really growing up' and it took SCHINDLER'S LIST to quiten these critics. However almost ten years before his remarkable account of the Holocaust Spielberg directed this gem.

It is the moving tale of a young black girl born into a male-dominated world, and tells the story of her gradual loss of identity followed by her defiance in reclaiming the life she lost. This was Whoopi Goldberg's remarkable screen debut that assured her of major stardom, and it is not hard to see why. Her fear towards her husband is frighteningly real, as is her silent rebellious side that ventures outwards in the last section of the film. Danny Glover paints a horrific image of a cruel husband, and still manages to give us a valid reason why he acts the way he does, before a moving conclusion to his character's development. The part of Sofia is also expertly played by Oprah Winfrey, especially during the Christmas reunion scene when the viewer can't help but share her pain through to joy. A special treat is an appearance by Laurence Fishburne (then Larry) in a small role.

It is cinema such as this that proves Steven Spielberg's genius. You will often forget that it is him you are watching (not least by the lack of another genius, Mr John Williams), but it only adds to this director's credit that he is so versatile. If anyone passed over this film as a possible blip in Spielberg's career (as I shamefully did!) watch it now! You will not be disappointed.