The Color Purple

2h 34min

Drama

History

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.

Production Companies

Amblin Entertainment

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Guber-Peters Company

Cast

Margaret Avery

Margaret Avery

Shug Avery
Desreta Jackson

Desreta Jackson

Young Celie
Dana Ivey

Dana Ivey

Miss Millie
Carl Anderson

Carl Anderson

Reverend Samuel
Howard Starr

Howard Starr

Young Harpo
Daphaine Oliver

Daphaine Oliver

Young Olivia
Jadili Johnson

Jadili Johnson

Young Adam
Leon Rippy

Leon Rippy

Store Clerk
David Thomas

David Thomas

Road Gang Leader
Juliet Poe

Juliet Poe

Church Sister
Katie Simon

Katie Simon

Church Sister
Ethel Taylor

Ethel Taylor

Church Sister
Drew Bundini Brown

Drew Bundini Brown

Jook Joint Patron
Arnold F. Turner

Arnold F. Turner

Jook Joint Patron
Jeris Poindexter

Jeris Poindexter

Jook Joint Patron
Hawthorne James

Hawthorne James

Jook Joint Patron
Sonny Terry

Sonny Terry

Jook Joint Musician
Greg Phillinganes

Greg Phillinganes

Jook Joint Musician
Roy Gaines

Roy Gaines

Jook Joint Musician
Paulinho da Costa

Paulinho da Costa

African Musician
Nana Yaw Asiedu

Nana Yaw Asiedu

African Musician
Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant

African Musician
Bayo Martin

Bayo Martin

African Musician
Ndugu Chandler

Ndugu Chandler

African Musician
Jeffrey Kwashi

Jeffrey Kwashi

African Musician
Pete Munzhi

Pete Munzhi

African Musician
Aniijia Rae Schockley

Aniijia Rae Schockley

African Musician
Maria Howell

Maria Howell

Church Choir Soloist (uncredited)
Gayle King

Gayle King

Church-goer (uncredited)

Release date

18th Dec 1985

Status

Released

Spoken languages

English, Português, Español