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The Color Purple

  • 19851985
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,043
239
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Color Purple (1985)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:22
8 Videos
74 Photos
Drama
A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
84K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,043
239
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Menno Meyjes(screenplay)
    • Alice Walker(novel)
  • Stars
    • Danny Glover
    • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Oprah Winfrey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Menno Meyjes(screenplay)
    • Alice Walker(novel)
  • Stars
    • Danny Glover
    • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Oprah Winfrey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 262User reviews
    • 78Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 11 Oscars
      • 14 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos8

    Trailer [EN]
    Trailer 1:22
    Trailer [EN]
    The Color Purple
    Trailer 0:30
    The Color Purple
    Three Movies That Changed Billy Porter's Life
    Clip 3:39
    Three Movies That Changed Billy Porter's Life
    'The Color Purple' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:31
    'The Color Purple' | Anniversary Mashup
    Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks Give Movies Lego Remakes
    Clip 1:58
    Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks Give Movies Lego Remakes
    Emmy Nominee Laverne Cox Quoted This Movie to Reese Witherspoon
    Full Episode 3:43
    Emmy Nominee Laverne Cox Quoted This Movie to Reese Witherspoon
    The Evolution of Steven Spielberg
    Video 4:23
    The Evolution of Steven Spielberg
    'A Wrinkle in Time' Cast on Roles That Inspire
    Video 1:53
    'A Wrinkle in Time' Cast on Roles That Inspire

    Photos74

    Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple (1985)
    Whoopi Goldberg, Rae Dawn Chong, and Margaret Avery in The Color Purple (1985)
    Oprah Winfrey and Willard E. Pugh in The Color Purple (1985)
    Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple (1985)
    Danny Glover and Margaret Avery in The Color Purple (1985)
    Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, and Willard E. Pugh in The Color Purple (1985)
    Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery, and Bennet Guillory in The Color Purple (1985)
    Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover in The Color Purple (1985)
    Cynthia Erivo and Joaquina Kalukango at an event for The Color Purple (1985)
    Joaquina Kalukango at an event for The Color Purple (1985)
    Joaquina Kalukango at an event for The Color Purple (1985)
    Ahmad Rashad and Phylicia Rashad at an event for The Color Purple (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Danny Glover
    Danny Glover
    • Albertas Albert
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Celie Johnsonas Celie Johnson
    Oprah Winfrey
    Oprah Winfrey
    • Sofiaas Sofia
    Margaret Avery
    Margaret Avery
    • Shug Averyas Shug Avery
    Willard E. Pugh
    Willard E. Pugh
    • Harpo Johnsonas Harpo Johnson
    • (as Willard Pugh)
    Akosua Busia
    Akosua Busia
    • Nettie Harrisas Nettie Harris
    Desreta Jackson
    Desreta Jackson
    • Young Celie Harrisas Young Celie Harris
    Adolph Caesar
    Adolph Caesar
    • Old Mister Johnsonas Old Mister Johnson
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Squeakas Squeak
    Dana Ivey
    Dana Ivey
    • Miss Millieas Miss Millie
    Leonard Jackson
    Leonard Jackson
    • Pa Harrisas Pa Harris
    Bennet Guillory
    Bennet Guillory
    • Gradyas Grady
    John Patton Jr.
    • Preacheras Preacher
    Carl Anderson
    Carl Anderson
    • Reverend Samuelas Reverend Samuel
    Susan Beaubian
    Susan Beaubian
    • Corrineas Corrine
    James Tillis
    • Busteras Buster
    Phillip Strong
    • Mayoras Mayor
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Swainas Swain
    • (as Larry Fishburne)
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Menno Meyjes(screenplay)
      • Alice Walker(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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... —Colin Tinto <cst@imdb.com>
    racial discriminationafrican american protagonistlesbian kissletterabuse184 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize Winning Story.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • PG-13
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sofia's speech at the dinner table was an ad-lib prompted by Steven Spielberg, in the middle of filming the scene. He asked Winfrey to express to Celie how she felt that day when she saw Celie in the store, as Sofia was shopping for Miss Millie.
    • Goofs
      When she is returning from Memphis on the train, Celie is sipping wine in the dining car. An African-American person could not eat in the dining car in the late 1930s, especially on a Southern run.
    • Quotes

      Sophia: All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight in my own house!

    • Crazy credits
      Film title logo when end credits are done
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Enemy Mine/The Color Purple/Out of Africa/Spies Like Us (1985)
    • Soundtracks
      Miss Celie's Blues (Sister)
      Music by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton

      Lyrics by Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton and Lionel Richie

      Vocals by Táta Vega

    User reviews262

    Review
    Top review
    Forgotten Spielberg Masterpiece
    Alice Walker's epic novel is put on the big-screen by director Steven Spielberg and the results are excellent. The film deals with the maturity and independence of a mistreated black woman (Whoopi Goldberg in an Oscar-nominated role) from the years 1909 to 1947. The audience gets to experience all of her triumphs and tragedies through the film's running time. A very strong cast of supporting players make the film memorable as well. Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Rae Dawn Chong, Margaret Avery, and Oprah Winfrey (the last two Oscar-nominated) all shine with the great screenplay and Spielberg's subtle direction. Somewhat forgotten on Spielberg's list of credits, but still one of his very best films. 5 stars out of 5.
    helpful•37
    26
    • tfrizzell
    • Dec 2, 2000

    FAQ1

    • Why does Celie suggest to Harpo that he beat Sofia?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 7, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Moon Song
    • Filming locations
      • Salisbury, North Carolina, USA
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Amblin Entertainment
      • The Guber-Peters Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $98,467,863
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,710,333
      • Dec 22, 1985
    • Gross worldwide
      • $98,467,863
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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