The Color Purple (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition)

Alice Walker's famous book has been brought lovingly to the screen by Stephen Spielberg in a many nominated, much underrated Oscar race. Best Actress nominee, Whoopi Goldberg is wonderful as Celie, the poor little girl whose father adopted off her two illegitimate, incest-created infants, and then married her off to Mister Mister, played by Danny Glover. He treats her horribly and literally runs off her little sister, Nettie, who is trying to teach Celie to read. The scene where Mister runs Nettie off the property makes you want to cry because it is so moving as the two women vow that they will meet again and perform their little dance ritual separately.

But the movie reaches even a higher level when Mister's real love, Shug, played by Margaret Avery in an Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nominated role, enters the movie. This woman is a dance hall legend, and her first comment about Celie is "You is SO UGLY!" Eventually, she and Celie click and become best friends against Mister Mister's tyranny. In fact, Shug is the key, who finds some missing letters that bring about the end of the movie.

Oprah Wynfrey made her film debut in a subplot, where she is married to one of Mister's sons, ironically named Harpo, which is now Oprah's company and is also her name spelled backwards. Oprah plays Sophia, a woman who won't take any crap off of anyone. She eventually gets injured when she gets into an argument with a white person and ends up disfigured and in jail. It is a tragic role that earned Oprah a Best Supporting Actress nomination.

Eventually Harpo opens a juke joint, and now we are entertained by Shug in a string of blues renditions, the most famous of which is called "Sister," referring to her relationship with Celie.

Shug also is involved in a subplot. Her father is a minister, and he totally disapproves of the lifestyle that his daughter is living. They reconcile in a very musical setting.

But the highlight of the movie is the return of Celie's children with Nettie, her long lost sister. It seems that Nettie found the children and became their nanny. The adopted father is a minister who took his whole family to Africa. The grown children meet their biological mother at last. And we finally get to understand that the color purple is just something that makes you feel good. It is a gift from God in the purple flowers of the field and everywhere you see the color.

Long divorced from Mister, Celie and her sister and the grown children are reunited. Shug is also there, and they live in a nice house. THE END.

I don't mind telling the ending because this movie is so wonderful that you just have to see it. It will make you feel so good and so appreciative of everything that we are blessed with. It is definitely one of my most favorite movies of all times. I have watched it again and again.

This particular DVD is special too because it has interviews with the cast and is an anniversary DVD. It is well worth the price.

The Color Purple is one of the best movies that Steven Speilburg was excellent in bringing Alice Walker's book to the screen. Whoopie Goldberg(her debut), Oprah Winfrey (her screen debut as well),and Danny Glover bring their characters to life in this movie. I had the VHS which I have not watched in years (due to the fact I don't own a VCR),this 2 disc set was superb! Plus the tape can't even begin to hold a candle to DVD, plus all the EXTRA GOODIES ON DISC 2! It's a long movie but well worth the time to watch both discs. Mister treats Celie nothing less than a slave, until Shug Avery comes along and she and Celie get out of the hardships she has faced the whole time with Mister as his wife, There are a few gay scences between Celie and Shug and Shug teaches Celie how to stand up for herself! Now Celie falls in love with Shug and loves her more! Celie's stepfather takes both of her children away from her also(Celie's first real heartache) then runs Celie's sister (Nettie) off. The ending (of course I will not reveal, in case you've never seen this movie), if you want a heartfelt and touching movie, WATCH THE COLOR PURPLE, you won't be sorry that you did. I was lucky to find 2set DVD, because it seems that most retailers are pulling movie from the stores where you can only order it! So, there's not much more I can reveal, get THE COLOR PURPLE you won't be sorry!
barbiesdadwill (William Trent)

I had never planned to watch this movie. Really had no interest in it.
But, I caught it on cable years ago.

Real good movie. Is a bit long.

The points of the film, Whoopi's film debut & got an Oscar nomination for it. We met Oprah. 1 of Glover’s first films, he did have the small role in "Witness" same year. Fishburne. Was nominated for many Oscars but didn’t win anything. I remember that.

Spielberg did a good job with this after Raiders, Temple & his 1982 film this film was not something you would have expected him to do then.

My favorite scene, per the DVD disc 1 31 Dinner table revolt when Celie FINALLY stands up to Albert. About time.

Yes, my only complaint is it is just too long.

Beautifully photographed.

2 disc special edition. OK, 2 complaints out of this. NO information included on the film and a little complaint. Disc 2 is yours extras/bonus features. Disc does NOT say this. It looks like it could be the film & just like disc 1 with the film it has the film length on it. BOTH DISCS LOOK THE SAME.

I love this movie. Whoopie's role is amazing. I read the book, which shed some insight into certain scenes, but the movie does excellent in following the book. So there is really no need to read the book.

The only problem I had was the graphic nature of Mr. and Celie's first sexual encounter. There is also the reference to something between Sug and Celie. The movie let the watcher make their own assumptions, but the book is more detailed to tell the reader what I'm glad Spielberg was reluctant to display (though he regrets it now, but I'm grateful it's absent). I was able to allow my kids to watch (they turned their heads during Mr. and Celie), so I was able to explain that Sug was showing sisterly affection to Celie because Celie hadn't experienced true affection in a long time. They happily accept it and move on with the movie.

It's a great movie, but be sure to turn the kids' heads after Mr. marries Celie. Whoopie, Oprah, Danny Glover, and Lawrence Fishburne are great. They all play a part that is so NOT what we are used to seeing. You'll be amazed at how incredible they truly make this movie an emotional and uplifting keeper.

This film is an absolutely stunning rendition of Alice Walker's book. It is a story about the strength of the human spirit and the ability of an individual to triumph over even the most profound adversity. The richly textured characters develop and grow in touching, believable and inspiring ways. The film is visually stunning, excellently acted and masterfully directed. It has a terrific score. There are many moments in this film that will remain with you for a lifetime. This is one of the most deeply affecting films you are likely to ever see. The Color Purple is my all-time favorite film, even though I tend to cry through much of it.