The Color Purple (DVD 2003)

Put simply, the Color Purple is possibly the best book I have ever read. It is such a well-written emotional journey through Celie's life and the trials and tribulations she faces that I was quite sceptical as to whether or not this could be transferred to the screen. However, my fears were allayed when I began to watch the film. 11 nominations and not a single Oscar is a travesty when you consider that the acting in this film is superb. Whoopy Goldberg is marvellous in her acting debut and an equally emotive performance from Danny Glover brings to life the difficult bond between oppresive husband and distraught child wife. The casting in this picture was spot-on, with Oprah Winfrey's performance as no-nonsense Sofia so believable that you suffer the same torment and pain she does while watching, and the child acting was brilliant. The most upsetting scene in the film, when Celie and Nettie are parted, was so painful for the two girls that, for the first time in 6 years, I nearly cried, such was its potency.

I cannot stress enough my praise for this film and I highly recommend it to anyone considering purchasing either it or the fabulous novel it is based upon.

The Color Purple is a moving and emotional film which is beautifully acted and directed and although it is a very long film you will be riveted to your seat for the full two and a half hours viewing time.

It is the story of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) and the terrible abusive life she endures at the hands of both her husband and step father. The only thing which brightens her life is her enduring love for her sister whom she is separated from for many years.

The film contains strong subject matters including rape, violence and racism but its message of love, sacrifice and sincerity shine through and the beautiful imagery in the film will have you reaching for the kleenex from almost the first scene.

The fact that it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including best picture and actress and won none is in my mind beyond belief.

This film is simply superb.

If you found my review helpful, please vote helpful below. Thanks for your support.

a good film but sad,whoopi goldberg as celie played a great part and would recommend the film to anyone if you like a good weep,

I decided to buy it after it was recommended by a friend .Although I enjoyed it I felt there should have been more of the main character Celie's life and involvement in her husbands family and less of the "heroine" Shug , it was well acted and did make me laugh and cry at times . I would recommend it as it held a powerful message particularly for women .

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 .

I HADS ALREADY SEEN THE FILM BEFORE, BUT ITS ONE OF THOSE FILMS YOU CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER. SAD, FUNNY, AT TIMES MADE ME ANGRY FOR THE CHARACTERS, BUT I STILL LOVED IT!!!

it a really good film u can watch time after time . it was also a very good price. it was in a box and original

This dvd was not for myself but bought for someone else.
They had apparently been looking for it for years so were over the moon when i presented them with it.
I find Ebay a great place to go not only can you find unusual items but the prices are so much cheaper than the high sreet for exactly the same thing.

I choose this film because i do enjoy true stories, and this film just took you back at how it really was in those days the early 19th century for black people. Especially for the black woman who were abused by the men around them, and it was just compelling how it all came round in the end.

Wow what a film. I had this film on video for many years but its one of the classics you have to buy on dvd. I first watched this film when i was expecting my daughter (now 19) the openng scene if of the main character in labour and i said to my mum its not that bad is it? mum didn't comment :)but its a life film the kind of film that as you grow you see and understand new things about life and can identfy with at different times in your own life. It is very moving and sad yet happy all rolled into one. But utterly brilliant!!

loved it all, especially the acting quality and cinematography.Whoopie Goldberg is amazing in the film. Excellent!

It has been one of the best films I have enjoyed. A few years ago I had it on video and over the years it disappeared. Anyway I had been discussing this film with a friend and it made me want to find it and watch it again. Where else would anyone look but e-bay, and there it was? I am very pleased with my find and know I would never of had the opportunity to see it again if it had not been for e-bay. Thank you.

The adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, about growing up 'poor, female, ugly and black' in the Deep South, by a Middle American movie brat not hitherto noted for his interest in any of the above, could be cynically seen as a blatant (and botched) bid for Oscars. And it's easy - but unfair - to stamp on the Spielberg version of Celie's triumphant pursuit of happiness and self-respect. Example: Walker's clear, lyrical patois has been filmed with, well, purple pomposity, a battering ram of flashy editing and tearful emotion (the brutish husband played by Glover, whom Walker finally allows his own small epiphany, gets especially short shrift as yet another of the big, bad authority figures who stalk Spielberg's world). Nor is it altogether surprising that Spielberg treads delicately round the story's more radical elements, like Celie's lesbian love for free-spirited blues singer Shug (Avery) or the political insights of her sister's African experience. And yet... due in no small measure to a superb cast spearheaded by Whoopi Goldberg, this is a powerful and honourable attempt to wrest an unusual book into the populist Hollywood mainstream