The Purple Plain (1954)

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:

Gregory Peck, Bernard Lee, Win Min Than

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gregory Peck	...	Squadron Leader Bill Forrester
Win Min Than	...	Anna
Brenda de Banzie	...	Miss McNab (as Brenda De Banzie)
Bernard Lee	...	Dr. Harris
Maurice Denham	...	Blore
Lyndon Brook	...	Carrington
Anthony Bushell	...	Group Captain Aldridge
Josephine Griffin	...	Mrs. Bill Forrester
Ram Gopal	...	Mr. Phang

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

pilot | canadian | burma | death wish | recklessness | 

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Taglines:

The blinding skies and merciless jungles of Burma's "Purple Hell"

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War | Action

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Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

The markings on the small model aircraft used in the crash scenes are different to the markings on the larger mock-up crashed aircraft.

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Quotes

Anna: It's for you. You have no one to give it to?
Squadron Leader Bill Forrester: No.
Anna: I'm glad because now you can keep it for me.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: BURMA 1945

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Soundtracks

Jesus Christ is risen today
(uncredited)
Traditional lyrics (from Bohemia)
Music by Robert Williams
Sung when Forrester is asked his favourite Easter hymn

User Reviews

" If War were a Mistress, I would love her more than a quick death "

In every era of history where men are pitted against each other, there too great memories are lost and buried. As each loss is created, so too are the haunting images which etch across a soldier's face. Every man's countenance thereafter displays his loneliness and despair. Yet within his heart and soul is the yearning for redemption and another chance to live and love again. This movie called " The Purple Plain " is based on the novel written by H. E. Bates and is wonderfully directed by Robert Parrish. With the vast landscape of the Burmese jungle and it's idyllic locations, we have Bill Forester (Gregory Peck) a lost and war weary squadron leader, Bill Forrester (Gregory Peck) pushing his luck in an apparent attempt to commit suicide. Having lost his wife to the war, he now displays a reckless, carefree attitude boarding on the insane. However, those around him see a mutilated man racked by pain and despair, creating both fear and admiration. A doctor (Bernard Lee) is given a last chance to see if there anyway to save him. The film is a superb offering of Mr.Peck's great talent. In addition we see a great performances by Maurice Denham as Blore and Win Min Than as Anna. All in all, this film is one of the most overlooked milestones in cinematic history. ****

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1954 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Purple Plain

Filming Locations:

Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

J. Arthur Rank Organisation, Two Cities Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1