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The Color Purple

  • 1985
  • PG-13
  • 2h 34m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
99K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,250
407
The Color Purple (1985)
Watch Trailer [EN]
Play trailer1:22
13 Videos
99+ Photos
Period DramaDrama

A tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry.A tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry.A tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry.

  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writers
    • Menno Meyjes
    • Alice Walker
  • Stars
    • Danny Glover
    • Whoopi Goldberg
    • Oprah Winfrey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    99K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,250
    407
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Menno Meyjes
      • Alice Walker
    • Stars
      • Danny Glover
      • Whoopi Goldberg
      • Oprah Winfrey
    • 281User reviews
    • 83Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 11 Oscars
      • 14 wins & 25 nominations total

    Videos13

    Trailer [EN]
    Trailer 1:22
    Trailer [EN]
    The Color Purple
    Trailer 0:30
    The Color Purple
    The Color Purple
    Trailer 0:30
    The Color Purple
    What You Need to Know About 'The Color Purple'
    Clip 1:33
    What You Need to Know About '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

    Photos215

    View Poster
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    + 209
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    Top cast60

    Edit
    Danny Glover
    Danny Glover
    • Albert
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Celie Johnson
    Oprah Winfrey
    Oprah Winfrey
    • Sofia
    Margaret Avery
    Margaret Avery
    • Shug Avery
    Willard E. Pugh
    Willard E. Pugh
    • Harpo Johnson
    • (as Willard Pugh)
    Akosua Busia
    Akosua Busia
    • Nettie Harris
    Desreta Jackson
    Desreta Jackson
    • Young Celie Harris
    Adolph Caesar
    Adolph Caesar
    • Old Mister Johnson
    Rae Dawn Chong
    Rae Dawn Chong
    • Squeak
    Dana Ivey
    Dana Ivey
    • Miss Millie
    Leonard Jackson
    Leonard Jackson
    • Pa Harris
    Bennet Guillory
    Bennet Guillory
    • Grady
    John Patton Jr.
    • Preacher
    Carl Anderson
    Carl Anderson
    • Reverend Samuel
    Susan Beaubian
    Susan Beaubian
    • Corrine
    James Tillis
    • Buster
    Phillip Strong
    • Mayor
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Swain
    • (as Larry Fishburne)
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writers
      • Menno Meyjes
      • Alice Walker
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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

      Celie: [on leaving the farm in Shug's car, shouting to Albert] I'm poor, black, I may even be ugly, but dear God, I'm here. I'm here!

    • Crazy credits
      The credits are all colored purple.
    • Alternate versions
      The Blu-ray and several TV prints feature the 2003 Warner Bros. Pictures logo plastering both the 1984 variant and closing Saul Bass variant.
    • 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 reviews281

    Review
    Review
    Featured review

    A Masterpiece!

    OK when I was young, I wathced this film with my family and I thought that it was so boring. Then when I got older, I understood this film. It really is a powerful film. This film will bring tears to your eyes literally. The Color Purple is an incredible story about a woman named Celie who grows up living at the mistreatment of a man named "Mister". Whoppi Goldberg's performance is amazing. She should have won that Oscar. The rest of the cast is amazing. I cannot say enough about this movie. It really is a piece of African American History. This film is not just a "movie" it is a piece of beauty. This film will be cherished forever and ever. If you do not like this film, then you need a wake up call.
    • Brianh0401-2
    • Oct 5, 2004
    • Permalink

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    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
      • Six Points Texas, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, 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
      • $98,468,102
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo

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