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The Color Purple
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The Color Purple

1985
Drama
2h 34m
A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.
Directed by:
Steven Spielberg Steven Spielberg
Written by:
Alice Walker Menno Meyjes
+1 more
Starring:
Danny Glover Danny Glover Laurence Fishburne Laurence Fishburne Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldberg Dana Ivey Dana Ivey Rae Dawn Chong Rae Dawn Chong Margaret Avery Margaret Avery Willard E. Pugh Willard E. Pugh Akosua Busia Akosua Busia Adolph Caesar Desreta Jackson
More
Franchise:
The Colour Purple
Genre:
Drama
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Color Purple

1985
Drama
2h 34m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 59.58% from 2382 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(2381)
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fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
97
93rd
Generally not the kind of movie a white kid from the Midwest would like, but I watched it about a year ago, and it made me cry. It is REALLY good.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gigglestickGigglestick
Rated 29 Feb 2008
99
93rd
My favorite movie of all time, this flick is truly epic. It doesn't score a full 100 only because it seems a little choppy towards the end, but it is rather long and ran the risk of overkill without SOME editing. How could this movie be nominated for eleven...ELEVEN...Academy Awards and walk away empty handed? It's a damn shame.
Rated 29 Feb 2008
jasongirl67Jasongirl67
Rated 22 Feb 2020
100
94th
A beautiful heartwarming movie that makes me cry every time I watch it Outstanding performances from the entire cast
Rated 22 Feb 2020
tathieltathiel
Rated 23 Sep 2008
91
97th
Absolutely great movie, maybe one of Spielberg's best but unfortunately most overlooked movies.
Rated 23 Sep 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 07 Nov 2011
30
10th
This over-blown melodrama is one of Spielberg's few bad films. Very hard to get through.
Rated 07 Nov 2011
damildamil
Rated 12 Jul 2013
75
81st
It was mostly good. It's a pretty conventional tearjerker, but still very much enjoyable. The direction is great, of course. I thought that the tone was a little mixed up, though. It started off fairly dark, but before long, there were comedic/lighthearted (and even slapstick) scenes that never quite felt right to me. In the same vein, the score was occasionally insufferable. Still, the performances were good, and it had some nice, dramatic and emotional moments.
Rated 12 Jul 2013
lucluc
Rated 28 Oct 2008
95
98th
Super drama movie full of emotions, what a nice film of Spielberg with great music and beautiful filmed. The end was so great and emotionally. I had to use my handkerchief. Whoopie Goldberg is not my favorite actress but here she played a brilliant role.
Rated 28 Oct 2008
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 17 Mar 2021
65
46th
It was too much of an obvious tearjerker for me. Especially a lot of the music made it so, and the mood shifting from dark stuff to comedy was confusing. It's an okay movie, but definitely not a masterpiece.
Rated 17 Mar 2021
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 23 Mar 2011
62
14th
It's ok, but Spielberg seems terrified to explore all the dark subject matter in the film. He carefully avoids showing any of the implied horrors the characters live through, instead relying on some tearful scenes and sappy music to stir emotions.If you can ignore how obviously sanitized the film is it's well made and reasonably interesting, but it's hard to do.
Rated 23 Mar 2011
toddsaltertoddsalter
Rated 04 Jun 2020
86
35th
I wanted to like this movie, but just didn't. Oprah's performance was great. But the attempt to make it comedic (why?!?) just destroyed what might have otherwise been an amazing hard edge treatment of serious subject matter.
Rated 04 Jun 2020
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 03 Jun 2008
80
74th
A sappy tug at the heartstrings, but Spielberg and the actors pull it off quite well.
Rated 03 Jun 2008
filliganFilligan
Rated 11 Apr 2010
92
85th
This makes me wonder how anyone can fully dislike Spielberg as a filmmaker. The Color Purple is beautifully made and proves the man was a master of drama long before Schindler's List. I also had no idea Whoopi Goldberg could be so... good. A perfect performance that unsurprisingly made her a star.
Rated 11 Apr 2010
stainStain
Rated 23 Feb 2008
20
19th
Poverty-stricken women suffering, done up in pretty colors. The inherent emotional blackmail (so to speak) is supposed to prevent me from pointing out that this is really boring
Rated 23 Feb 2008
brellbrell
Rated 09 Nov 2023
35
55th
an excellent cast acts out something that's not bad but only a pale shade of the novel. what would you call that, lavender? nah, lavender would actually be gay
Rated 09 Nov 2023
bethelysabethelysa
Rated 23 Oct 2008
95
98th
The last scene, running through the field...it kills me every, every time. As do so many things about this beautiful, beautiful movie. A gem.
Rated 23 Oct 2008
ytadelYtadel
Rated 30 Jun 2010
6
70th
An excellently-acted and beautifully-crafted drama which was arguably gipped out of a minor Oscar or two it deserved, although I can't say it's one I watch again and again.
Rated 30 Jun 2010
green_goblinGreen Goblin
Rated 08 Sep 2008
54
54th
Even though a long film with boring and many unnecessary scenes, the film was still touching at times.
Rated 08 Sep 2008
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 11 Jan 2015
2
11th
goddamn, there were a couple of interesting narrative aspects amid this typical triumph-against-the-odds tale, which makes the book's spielbergification even more annoying. he turns its horrifying parts into small obstacles on the way to ecstasy, and sanitises its explicit lesbianism into almost complete nonexistence. the user lex says spielberg knows how to give films souls, but do we really need another white man to make his film about black people 'soulful'? so as usual, fuck you spielberg.
Rated 11 Jan 2015
bbbdBBBD
Rated 14 Aug 2007
66
32nd
Danny Glover acts like an asshole. Whoopi Goldberg is treated like shit. Oprah tries to kick some ass, but gets shut down by The Man. It's an interesting movie, but not something I want to see again and again.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jxwheejxwhee
Rated 22 Dec 2008
75
44th
Not really a lot for me, a white guy, to identify with here. I liked Oprah though. Everything you do!
Rated 22 Dec 2008
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 10 Jul 2011
75
65th
I love that Spielberg goes from having a character lose 8 years of her life and the scene after have a comedic ~learning to drive~ goofabout. Scenes like that happen quite a lot and are so weird and out of place.
Rated 10 Jul 2011
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 23 Feb 2010
5
56th
Any and all technical qualities are definitely commendable, most notably Whoopi's debut performance and some great cinematography, but Spielberg's particular brand of schmaltz brings it down to average.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 02 Sep 2020
70
46th
In Spielberg's first foray into something other than massive summer blockbuster, you have a beautifully shot film with some really good performances. Oprah and Whoopi shine, especially. The narrative has an uneven tone that starts ominous and dark, and ends dewy-eyed and joyous with an exclamation point.
Rated 02 Sep 2020
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 07 Apr 2008
62
17th
Cheesy Spielberg. Such an interesting plot could have been much better delivered. I like Quincy Jones a lot but he wasn't right for this.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
jonjojackjonjojack
Rated 07 Jun 2017
40
2nd
Too sentimental
Rated 07 Jun 2017
blooferladyBlooferlady
Rated 01 Apr 2010
90
61st
Whoopi Goldberg truly deserved an Oscar for this.
Rated 01 Apr 2010
emupieemupie
Rated 02 Sep 2014
82
19th
really hated the pieces of the story that seemed to be played for comedic effect. great performances but something fell flat for me (maybe a white man directing)??
Rated 02 Sep 2014
pigletPiglet
Rated 23 Jul 2009
70
59th
Seeing it in school as a 12 year old probably doesn't do it justice....
Rated 23 Jul 2009
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
63rd
Perfectly decent southern slave melodrama with an excellent cast giving very good performances throughout.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
madisomadiso
Rated 16 Jan 2007
65
75th
tooo deep and sensitive for me saw once never again
Rated 16 Jan 2007
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 31 Dec 2020
8
78th
How could anyone call this a bad film? Even if some parts could've been cut, it is imbued with a lot of heart and never loses its focus on the emotional journey the central character has to go through. More than anything, it showcases Spielberg's incredible range as a filmmaker. He could be making a sci-fi, war film, comedy or drama, the craftsmanship is always on point.
Rated 31 Dec 2020
ioliverosioliveros
Rated 25 Feb 2009
95
0th
Magical.
Rated 25 Feb 2009
c4illenb3rryc4illenb3rry
Rated 13 Apr 2024
70
58th
doomsday1000Doomsday1000
Rated 25 Mar 2024
75
35th
aelfenpathaelfenpath
Rated 30 Mar 2024
90
78th
jessjess125Jessjess125
Rated 26 Aug 2022
90
78th
Omg the song so classic
Rated 26 Aug 2022
magdabagmagdabag
Rated 01 Aug 2013
94
92nd
Very Well Written,I Loved This Movie.Whoopie Goldberg Did Fantastic.2 Thumbs Up!
Rated 01 Aug 2013
sorksork
Rated 02 Jun 2008
63
58th
Can you say Oprah?
Rated 02 Jun 2008
cclzaCCLZA
Rated 08 Jan 2010
75
63rd
Though impressively crafted and acted on all levels, I couldn't stop thinking how this was a 100% Hollywood tearjerker, which isn't necessarily bad, but was distracting.
Rated 08 Jan 2010
dippyblondedippyblonde
Rated 22 Oct 2008
89
72nd
Sterling performances from all and one of the best films of Whoopi Goldberg's career
Rated 22 Oct 2008
elfflameElfflame
Rated 14 Apr 2008
100
99th
An incredible movie, story, and cast.
Rated 14 Apr 2008
sam_quentinsam quentin
Rated 28 Jan 2024
85
79th
The tonal shifts from trauma to comedy were a little jarring. Overall very well done with compelling characters.
Rated 28 Jan 2024
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 28 Jan 2010
82
52nd
Lacking the hard edge that would have made this live, but it does have some very good performances--including fine work by Oprah.
Rated 28 Jan 2010
shephardShephard
Rated 29 Oct 2007
100
99th
Epic in its portrayal of one character's life. Well-cast, well-acted, and beautiful music and cinematography. A tear-jerker as well.
Rated 29 Oct 2007
lexlex
Rated 18 Nov 2012
90
80th
It is so marvelously crafted, with so much love and talent that, unlike some other Spielberg films, the bursting sentimentality does not feel undeserved or even unwanted. Unless, of course, you are one of those who enjoy hating on Spielberg for knowing how to give his films souls of their own.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 23 Aug 2010
6
53rd
Aw shucks, if it has Oprah and enough Hollywood tear jerkers it must be a classic. Actually its pretty decent due to the solid cast but couldn't get passed a lot of the cheesiness.
Rated 23 Aug 2010
jfloydjfloyd
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
43rd
Moving story with great performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 25 Feb 2009
95
93rd
One of Spielberg's best. One of the all-time classic oscar snubs. Highly recommended.
Rated 25 Feb 2009
majikatmajikat
Rated 10 Dec 2011
85
90th
Not your average Steven Spielberg film, this powerful masterpiece captures a horific tale of control displayed in a number of different ways. This film remains a timeless classic due to the era that it's set in.
Rated 10 Dec 2011
vengefulkbmVengefulKBM
Rated 26 Aug 2016
90
92nd
One of Spielberg's most underrated, overlooked masterpieces. This is Spielberg at his most deferential, and that's what allows the actors to truly shine. Whoopi Goldberg and Margaret Avery are absolutely amazing. If you can make it through this movie without crying at least once, I cannot relate to you as a human being.
Rated 26 Aug 2016
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 11 Jul 2021
50
9th
1909+dadpreghertwice+abusivehusband+sisfightsoffrape-ripsthemapart+shave-youcutmeandi'llkillya+1916+wowshetoldstepsontobeatwife-beathimbackworselol+1922+ladykissher+1930+1936+keptsislettersfromher-ladyfinallygivesone-lookinafterherkidswiththeirfam-findrest-africanmissionaries+ladystopshershavekillinghim+leaveshim+daddies-leftthemhouse+reunite/kidstoo
Rated 11 Jul 2021
qwershadyqwershady
Rated 11 Jan 2015
82
93rd
schindler's lists sound came from
Rated 11 Jan 2015
eggbeatereggbeater
Rated 13 Mar 2009
83
82nd
A sprawling saga of characters both frustrated and fulfilled, and at the center a Survivor. This will either grab you emotionally (in which case you'll overlook its flaws) or leave you cold. Masterfully filmed, with striking cinematography from Allen Daviau, moving music score by Quincy Jones (who also coproduced). Rich performances.
Rated 13 Mar 2009
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 25 Mar 2024
74
50th
glm01glm01
Rated 08 Jan 2013
85
83rd
84.500
Rated 08 Jan 2013
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 26 Jan 2009
85
94th
Moving
Rated 26 Jan 2009
alberteAlbertE
Rated 09 Dec 2014
1
22nd
boring.
Rated 09 Dec 2014
alo94Alo94
Rated 27 Jun 2012
100
70th
I have no words for this great movie.
Rated 27 Jun 2012
piratejasonPirateJason
Rated 20 May 2010
95
99th
An amazing story of perseverance and family life. Incredible cast, acting, and directing.
Rated 20 May 2010
londongirllondongirl
Rated 01 Mar 2009
94
91st
Doesn't touch the book...nevertheless it's still amazing
Rated 01 Mar 2009
kuroelKuroel
Rated 19 Jan 2024
73
85th
One of the better depictions of female solidarity, sisterhood and overcoming unreasonable odds. There's few things that probably don't bode that well with MoDerN auDiENces (mainly how the film makes light of domestic violence), but I don't personally find it problematic to counter-balance the awfulness of life with humor, even in a horrible situation. And I think that is the strength of this movie, the hopefulness shines through.
Rated 19 Jan 2024
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
75
76th
It would be easy to be cynical about this movie, but I've always liked it. Well performed and directed.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
bratingsbratings
Rated 11 Jun 2016
91
82nd
As moving as it is technically proficient, Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple only improves with age.
Rated 11 Jun 2016
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 02 Oct 2011
68
32nd
Not too shabby. Goldberg is surprisingly pretty good, and I liked Avery, but Winfrey is weak and Glover plays the bad guy much better in TO SLEEP WITH ANGER. The film is blatantly manipulative and sentimental, punctuated with the usual Spielberg sap and schmaltzy score. But I was relatively engaged throughout, and invested in Celia's struggles. Schmaltz and sap can sometimes be effective, and I confess to getting a little choked up at times. A bit too much Hollywood polish, but not a bad watch.
Rated 02 Oct 2011
pierre_Pierre_
Rated 22 Oct 2011
72
33rd
one of the best Spielberg. The ending is a little over the top otherwise it is a good (and refreshing) cold shower about women and black situations
Rated 22 Oct 2011
signpreachSignpreach
Rated 26 May 2012
93
66th
perhaps the best movie I ever saw
Rated 26 May 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 06 Sep 2009
87
90th
Probably the only movie with Whoopi Goldberg that I love
Rated 06 Sep 2009
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 26 Feb 2007
70
82nd
Great film.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
musclebustedMusclebusted
Rated 27 May 2012
93
54th
Oprah!
Rated 27 May 2012
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 25 Apr 2009
92
87th
Could hold back the tears..till the last 2 minutes. great emotion-cinema with an awesome cast up ahead whoopi goldberg and a beautiful soul / gospel score that underline the whole feeling of the century.
Rated 25 Apr 2009
ricRic
Rated 08 Nov 2014
85
82nd
Disturbing start, but the rest is just brillant
Rated 08 Nov 2014
glmglm
Rated 29 Dec 2010
91
94th
90.500
Rated 29 Dec 2010
revjhouRevjhou
Rated 15 Apr 2024
75
54th
therevTheRev
Rated 15 Mar 2008
100
98th
FINE ACTING! A GREAT MOVIE!!!
Rated 15 Mar 2008
rottentRottenT
Rated 28 Mar 2018
85
65th
A sentimental tale that reveals great emotional truths in American history.
Rated 28 Mar 2018
jsoundsJSounds
Rated 11 Apr 2023
86
93rd
So sad but so important. One of those movies that makes you hate mankind.
Rated 11 Apr 2023
glentotglentot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
91st
poignant film.. this film made me cry
Rated 14 Aug 2007
myszatekMyszatek
Rated 07 Sep 2009
80
74th
Deep, moving picture. Unforgettable performances of Whoopie and Oprah. My favourite Spielberg
Rated 07 Sep 2009
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 09 Aug 2015
40
38th
Chick lit drama. Not my kind of movie. Kind of on the fence about my rating, but I didn't mind it I guess is my review. Still, wouldn't recommend it.
Rated 09 Aug 2015
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 12 Jun 2023
72
48th
I think this is a bit overrated, but powerhouse performances all over the place and some nice Spielberg touches elevate it from pure Oscar-bait melodrama into something slightly more. I feel like it pulls some punches and could have really been something incredible if Spielberg had been a bit more willing to get ugly. The tonal shifts also bring it down.
Rated 12 Jun 2023
icarusIcarus
Rated 10 Jan 2021
60
26th
Tonally, this just felt off. I couldn't tell whether it was a comedy or the highest of tragedies at certain points in the film. I do appreciate the arc of the story with Celie's suffering and the way all of the storylines come together in the end as an appreciation of black perseverance/strength.
Rated 10 Jan 2021
aceysaid10AceySaid10%
Rated 29 Apr 2012
83
75th
The Colour Nurple...
Rated 29 Apr 2012
weaselgreaseWeaselgrease
Rated 19 Mar 2010
96
91st
This film leaves nothing to wonder about. From the bad to the worst, you see the hard life of this woman exactly as it was meant to be seen. As cruel and real as it ever truly was.
Rated 19 Mar 2010
mike365365mike365365
Rated 17 Jan 2023
64
50th
A mild recommendation for this melodramatic film.
Rated 17 Jan 2023
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 04 Sep 2011
70
34th
How much emotional tie you have to The Color Purple probably depends somewhat on what race and gender you are, but more so on how much you're willing to put up with Spielberg's usual mawkishness. I found myself torn between moments of genuine grace, such as Shug's reconciliation with her father, and unearned manipulative drivel, like the film's terrible denouement.
Rated 04 Sep 2011
cloakcloak
Rated 11 Sep 2009
41
32nd
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
75
79th
Hard to watch, but worth it.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
92
97th
Seen: 2.
Rated 11 Mar 2020
monoglotmonoglot
Rated 16 Sep 2015
40
13th
A shambling, aimless traipse through another carcass of a prestigious novel sacrificed on the altar of middlebrow cinema. Goldberg is so good she almost makes the journey worth it, but ultimately we're left to rely on our good will for her character to see us through the weird tonal shifts--from rape to slapstick and back--and oddball score, and good will isn't enough here. I guess I'm glad this was well-received, and that Spielberg got more chances at "serious" films because of it. He got bet
Rated 16 Sep 2015
armonicaArmonica
Rated 20 Jul 2021
85
83rd
Whoopi was the best
Rated 20 Jul 2021
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 11 Aug 2007
95
92nd
It has a richness of life, a consistency of vision, and an astonishing emotional pull. Even among his detractors, of which there are many, Spielberg is generally agreed to be a master craftsman. That praise usually centers on his technical acumen. I think it also applies to his ability to realize the proper emotional trajectory in his very best films. He knows the places his characters need to go, and, unapologetically invested in them, he unerringly feels his way through their journey.
Rated 11 Aug 2007

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