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The Color Purple (Special Edition) [DVD] [1986]

Danny Glover , Whoopi Goldberg , Steven Spielberg    Suitable for 15 years and over   DVD
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery, Willard E. Pugh
  • Directors: Steven Spielberg
  • Writers: Alice Walker, Menno Meyjes
  • Producers: Carole Isenberg, Frank Marshall, Jon Peters, Kathleen Kennedy, Peter Guber
  • Format: PAL
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 21 July 2003
  • Run Time: 148 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00009PBHU
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 18,699 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Steven Spielberg took a melodramatic DW Griffith-inspired approach to filming Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple. His tactics made the film controversial, but also a popular hit. You can argue with the appropriateness of Spielberg's decision, but his astonishing facility with images is undeniable--from the exhilarating and eye-popping opening shots of children playing in paradisiacal purple fields to the way he conveys the brutality of a rape by showing hanging leather belts banging against the head of the shaking bed.

In a way it's a shame that Whoopi Goldberg, a stage monologist who made her screen debut in this movie, went on to become so famous, because it was, in part, her unfamiliarity that made her understated performance as Celie so effective. (This may be the first and last time that the adjective "understated" can be applied to Goldberg.) Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including best picture and actress (supporting players Oprah Winfrey and Margaret Avery were also nominated), it was quite a scandal--and a crushing blow to Spielberg--when The Color Purple won none. --Jim Emerson, Amazon.com

On the DVD: The Color Purple makes a sumptuous transfer to DVD in this special edition. The lush and vibrant cinematography is well served by the widescreen format; Quincy Jones's warmly enveloping score, shot through with jazz age references, is superbly enhanced by surround sound. The extras are ideal companions to the main picture, detailing the passage of Alice Walker's novel from book to screen. Walker herself recalls the anxieties of the process, while director Spielberg and various cast members remember many poignant moments during and after filming, reminding us with a jolt that this beautifully made, hugely popular and inspirational film didn't win a single Academy Award. --Piers Ford

Product Description

Stephen Spielberg directed this adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer prize-winning novel, which spans 40 years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a poor black woman who endures years of abuse from her father and her husband (Danny Glover). When her husband embarks on an affair with beautiful Shug (Margaret Avery), friendship also springs up between the two women, and Celie finally begins to blossom.


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars touching 16 July 2004
By A Customer
Format:DVD
"What do you want for mother's day?" was the question that started it. My mum answered to try and get her The Color purple on DVD. I did and I think I'm a bigger fan than her and she loves it!

The film centres around a young woman named celie played by the fanatstic Whoopi Goldberg. Celie is bullied all her life, by her step father and husband...even her own kids. Her life is miserable. the only thing that brightens it up is the bond of love she has for her sister. But, "Mr" her husband breaks that bond and Celie doesn't see Naide for many many years. There seems to be no hope for her.

The film tells the story of Celie's life from her second born child (who later is adopted despite celie's determination to keep her). Her marriage is a nightmare and we feel real sympathy for her downtrodden character and anger towards her husband (played very well by Danny Glover) It's not all doom and gloom however, as Oprah Winfrey makes a memorable appearance as Sophia, wife of Celie's step son Harpo. Don't mess with Sophia is all I can say. And DON'T call her a heffer! Celie takes solice in her friendship with her husband's mistress Shug Avery. Shug tries to coax a more confident Celie out of what she sees. Celie's only hope in life is that one day, she might see Nadie again.

This film isn't just full of the color purple, it screams with brightness and hope. The music is outstanding including the parallels drawn between America and Africa. The soundtrack had everything...lazy music which suggests the hot days on Mr's farm and the music of the African safari. There is also a strong gospel theme with some uplifting music to partner the hope of the film. A lot of characters have inner demons to fight: Shug, Celie, Sophia, Harpo...even Mr. As to who conqurs those demons I won't say....

This film isn't just for those looking for a heart warming story of hope. It can be pretty cruel and at times I was almost moved to tears (christmas as Sophia's). There are no loose ends left in this film. we know exactly what happens to all the amin characters and most end up in a different situation to what they started out in. Simply superb. Read more ›

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36 of 39 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars understated classic 9 Feb 2006
Format:DVD
Not being a very big spielberg fan (shock)i was roped into watching this so called "womans" film with a friend of mine i was very sceptical about the film subject and some of the actors and actresses playing the roles. However it was one of the best film experiences i have encountered moving in some places and harrowing in others spielberg has delivered an absolute classic which touches the heart and handles the difficult subject matter with care and precision.whoopi goldberg gives an outstanding peformance and was well worthy of her oscar nomination and was very unlucky not to win it.Add a very good danny glover and a fantastic performance by oprah winfrey and you have a great modern day classic. exceptional movie, exceptional acting,exceptional viewing .
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Wake up your brain, open your heart 15 Jan 2001
Format:VHS Tape
If you fail to be moved by the sheer power of this film, I have no faith left in humanity. The acting, cinematography, scripting and direction is superb. If you have had no contact with the story before, the mix of Oprah Whinfrey, Whoopi Goldberg & steven Spielberg may seem a strange combination, but believe me it works. this film is spell bounding, makes your brain race and your heart weep. One of the most human,moving, blood boiling, heart breaking films of all time. Buy it. Restore your faith in humanity.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Picture full of colour! 24 Aug 2004
By Sunny
Format:DVD
Watching Color Purple is indulging yourself in cinema at its charming best-- lovable, well-rounded, deeply emotional and very grounding. Yes, the characters are as stereotypical as stereotypical can be, and there's a lot of theatrical-isque role-play; but what matters the most is that the film's got its heart in the right place and that's what makes it so imminently watchable.

Spielberg's direction is top-notch as he extracts some of the most inspiring performances from the whole cast. Right from Whoopi's Goldberg sympathetic Celie to Oprah Winfrey's riotous Sofia to Danny Glover's menacing Albert to Margaret Avery's sensuous Shug to Akosua's earthy Nettie... every character's given ample time and space to develop and register an impact, and that's precisely what they do. Of all the threads that revolve around the debauched status of women --- domestic violence, girl infanticide, illiteracy, forced marriages, racism-- what emerges as an absolute winner is the no-holds-barred love of the two sisters-- Celie and Nettie.

What also works for the film is its makers' dedication to set it up in all the rusticity, all the wilderness and rawness of down South and Africa --- the cinematography and the background music is so perfect and so timeless, it doesn't feel a bit dated. The film's an absolute family entertainment (though some scenes can be rather too raw and graphical for teeny-weenies) and its message of love, sacrifice, sincerity and honesty redeeming even the ugliest of existences; of realising one's inside beauty and confidence is really strengthening. Its a yarn well spun and with something so pure, its really hard to find fault with. Maybe the whopping 2....

Give this one a try... rest assured you'll find yourself laughing and crying with the colourful characters! Read more ›

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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
The film is originally adapted from a book by Alice Walker. The film is about Celie a young black woman, who is abused by her step-farther and becomes pregnant by him, who promptly sells the baby. Celie is later quickly married off to a man that considers her to be worthless and soon her abuse occurs again. She has become a slave to her husband, there is some joy when Nettie her sister comes to stay but soon is forced out by mister (celie's husband). Celie although devestated by their seperation, finds some comfort in visiting friends, but her battle with her husband continues. The only hope she keeps is hearing from her sister. The film is touching and beautifully done, i can not think of anything to fault it. It is a timeless classic, powerfull and moving. Definetly one to watch.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars The Color Purple
This is one of my all time favourite films but I was a little disappointed with the actual DVD as half of the film was recorded on one side of it and the rest was on the other... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Mrs Julie Barnes
1.0 out of 5 stars You are KIDDING...?
OK, we first bought this and half way through it stopped working, so we sent it back. The second time, the same thing happens again -- halfway through the same scene (Shug and... Read more
Published 6 days ago by T. Upchurch
3.0 out of 5 stars brought for someone else
have not opened this dvd as brought for someone else. Hopefully they will like it and will let me know.
Published 8 days ago by Raymond Blackmore
5.0 out of 5 stars It was fine
Good video in very good order. No problems with the quality and play back and sound was great. Case in one piece
Published 29 days ago by Mrs. R. Nye
4.0 out of 5 stars Color Purple Two Sided Disc
A great film, of course,but the Amazon product description doesn't mention it's a dual-format disc, i.e, two sided, so you have to turn over halfway through. Read more
Published 1 month ago by dizzy dave
1.0 out of 5 stars didn't work
it didnt work, maybe it was just my dvd but it played for a certain amount of time then stopped
Published 1 month ago by becky stirling
5.0 out of 5 stars great
this was a good service and was just what i was looking for and for sure i would use your services again
Published 1 month ago by dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars epic
the most touching and beautiful story I have ever watched besides forest Gump I cry ever single time I watch it, ur DVD/blue ray collection is not complete without it so hurry up... Read more
Published 1 month ago by kiona
1.0 out of 5 stars Great film but poor quality
I purchased this item for a friend as we used to watch it when we were teenagers. Luckily I watched it through before I gave it to her as I found that the film stopped half way... Read more
Published 1 month ago by CMads123
5.0 out of 5 stars turn disc over
I love this movie and it most definately deserves 5 stars, I am only writing a review to let people know you have to turn the disc over to watch the second part of film, the dvd is... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ms. S. N. Hughes
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