The Color Purple (1985)
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
Details
Budget
$15,000,000
Rating
8/10 (1818 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Amblin Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures, Guber/Peters Company
About The Color Purple
Set in the American South, "The Color Purple" chronicles four decades in the life of Celie, an African-American woman who endures significant abuse. Her journey unfolds after she is married to Albert Johnson following a childhood of mistreatment. The narrative focuses on Celie's resilience as she navigates challenging circumstances and maintains a desire to reunite with her sister in Africa.
The film explores themes of empowerment, sibling relationships, and historical context within the southern USA. It features keywords such as "prison," "rape," and "violent husband," indicating the difficult experiences Celie faces. Despite the hardships depicted, the story ultimately centers on her perseverance.
With a runtime of 154 minutes, the movie carries a "Drama" and "History" genre classification. It received an 8 out of 10 average vote from over 1800 viewers on TMDB, and has a strong critical reception, with scores of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78/100 on Metacritic.
Why you might be searching for The Color Purple
People are often searching for films about difficult early lives, particularly those involving abuse and separation from family. The mention of a character helping a woman with an injury, or a focus on a black family with psychic powers, sometimes leads searchers to this film, although these are not central plot points. Specific searches refer to the themes of abuse by a father and later a husband, and a sister living abroad, aligning with the core narrative of "The Color Purple."
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer finds Danny Glover's performance to be a standout, describing it as possibly his career best and a memorable portrayal from the 1980s.
Read the full reviewA review notes that the film's theatrical presentation, including set design and camera work, creates an immersive experience akin to watching a live play.
Read the full reviewA reviewer praises the film's casting for effectively telling Celie's often difficult life story in the American South, where she experiences both racial prejudice and domestic abuse.
Read the full reviewOne review points out that Celie's options are severely limited as she navigates an abusive marriage and early trauma, with her sister Nettie providing a singular source of hope.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can buy or rent "The Color Purple" on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home. It is also available on Digital and 4K UHD Blu-ray. There are no free streaming options for it currently.
No, "The Color Purple" is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
At the end of "The Color Purple," Celie reconnects with her sister Nettie and her children. Celie learns that her abusive father was not her biological father, and she inherits her true father's home and shop. Mister, Celie's abusive husband, repents and arranges for Nettie to return from Africa, leading to a joyful reunion between the sisters.
Upon its 1985 release, "The Color Purple" was a box office success, grossing $98.4 million against a $15 million budget. It received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Whoopi Goldberg's performance. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 73% approval rating based on 125 reviews, with critics calling it a "worthy, well-acted adaptation of Alice Walker's classic novel."