The Color Purple

1985 · directed by Steven Spielberg

Rating

85/100

Hit

yes

Prestige lists

BFI Top 100

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.

The Color Purple (1985), directed by Steven Spielberg, rates 85/100 — a hit. See how its director, cast and crew rate across their careers.

Cast

• Danny Glover
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Margaret Avery
• Oprah Winfrey
• Willard E. Pugh
• Akosua Busia
• Desreta Jackson
• Adolph Caesar
• Rae Dawn Chong
• Dana Ivey

Crew

• Allen Daviau — Director of Photography
• Michael Kahn — Editor
• Quincy Jones — Original Music Composer
• Menno Meyjes — Screenplay

More from Steven Spielberg

1. Schindler's List (1993) — 99/100 · hit
2. Jaws (1975) — 97/100 · hit
3. Saving Private Ryan (1998) — 97/100 · hit
4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) — 96/100 · hit
5. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) — 96/100 · hit
6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) — 90/100 · hit

How these numbers work: Methodology