The Purple Plain

19541954
ApprovedApproved
1h 40m

The Purple Plain (1954)

Adventure Drama War

In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.

Director
- Robert Parrish
Writers
- H.E. Bates(novel)
- Eric Ambler(screenplay)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 nominations total

The Purple Plain (1954)

Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)

Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)

Gregory Peck and Brenda de Banzie in The Purple Plain (1954)

The Purple Plain (1954)

The Purple Plain (1954)

The Purple Plain (1954)

The Purple Plain (1954)

Squadron Leader Bill Forresteras Squadron Leader Bill Forrester

Dr. Harrisas Dr. Harris

Annaas Anna

Brenda de Banzie

Miss McNabas Miss McNab

Bloreas Blore

Carringtonas Carrington

Anthony Bushell

Group Captain Aldridgeas Group Captain Aldridge

Josephine Griffin

Mrs. Bill Forresteras Mrs. Bill Forrester

Mr. Phangas Mr. Phang

Nurseas Nurse
(uncredited)

Flight Lieutenantas Flight Lieutenant
(uncredited)

Man Dancing at Weddingas Man Dancing at Wedding
(uncredited)

Jack McNaughton

Sgt. Ralph Brownas Sgt. Ralph Brown
(uncredited)

Radio Operatoras Radio Operator
(uncredited)

Navigator Williamsas Navigator Williams
(uncredited)

Mya Mya Spencer

Dorothyas Dorothy
(uncredited)

Burmese Jeweleras Burmese Jeweler
(uncredited)

Director
- Robert Parrish
Writers
- H.E. Bates(novel)
- Eric Ambler(screenplay)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

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6.9

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6.8

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Captain Horatio Hornblower

7.3

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The Way Ahead

6.9

Pork Chop Hill

7.1

Firecreek

6.9

Hour of the Gun

6.7

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The Crimson Pirate

7.3

The Crimson Pirate

Sam Whiskey

5.9

Twelve O'Clock High

7.7

Twelve O'Clock High

The Scarlet and the Black

7.6

The Scarlet and the Black

633 Squadron

6.4

After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. The reckless Canadian pilot is both admired and feared by the rest of his squadron in World War II Burma. The squadron physician is assigned to determine the embittered Bill Forrester's fitness for duty. To break through the nightmare-haunted man's wall of silence, the physician drives Forrester to visit an outpost of English-speaking refugees, which includes an alluring young Burmese woman. —David Stevens

three word title bomber pilot pilot canadian burma 19 more

Taglines
- HIS PEAK OF ADVENTURE! (original print ad - all caps)
Genres
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
Win Min Than's husband was so jealous about losing her to the film's "decadent" Hollywood star Gregory Peck, he ordered his wife to eat garlic before romantic scenes with Peck. Fortunately, the production crew was able to convince her husband that Peck and the others were respectful of her so he went home leaving her to finish the picture in peace.

Goofs
When Peck's co-pilot looks out at the starboard engine, it is leaking some kind of fluid, but that fluid is running down the side of the engine. It's not showing any sign of what would have to be, at least a 200 mph wind, passing over the nacelle.

Quotes
Anna: It's not good to die inside.
Squadron Leader Bill Forrester: It's like living a bad dream.
Anna: Here we bury the dead in the earth not in our hearts. Is the dream over now?
Squadron Leader Bill Forrester: I think so.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: BURMA 1945

Soundtracks
Onward Christian Soldiers
(uncredited)
Music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by Sabine Baring-Gould

Top review

9/10

Wonderful human interaction and drama piece.

Peck's third best movie. The supporting actors did flesh out the tension and struggle. The story line can be easily followed. The decisions made during the movie are predictable, but the realization that it is life and death struggle overwhelms the predictability.

helpful•19

5

mscott81
Apr 4, 2002

Release date
- November 26, 1954 (Finland)
Country of origin
- United Kingdom
Language
- English
Also known as
- Flammen über Fernost
Filming locations
- Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka
Production companies
- J. Arthur Rank Organisation
- Two Cities Films
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $2,000,000 (estimated)

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
1 hour 40 minutes
Color
- Color
Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1

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