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The Color Purple

  • 19851985
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,229
1,269
The Color Purple (1985)
Watch ’Trailer [EN]’
Play trailer1:22
8 Videos
78 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
7.7/10
86K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,229
1,269
  • 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
    • 267User 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

    Photos78

    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)
    Adolph Caesar 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)

    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

    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 reviews267

    Review
    Top review
    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.
    helpful•61
    32
    • King_Opossum
    • Apr 18, 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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