Alice Walker's book is truly riveting, being hard-hitting, powerful and incredibly poignant. Anybody who hasn't yet read it, it is very highly recommended.In 1985, a film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg was released garnering several well-deserved Oscar nominations but sadly winning none. While the book is more detailed and has more depth, and the film is not quite as hard-hitting (though hardly sugar-coated and definitely not Disneyfied), this is in no way denouncing a wonderful early effort from Spielberg.Not quite one of his best films (not among his worst either), but, despite the worry as to whether his style would mesh with the tone of the story told, 'The Color Purple' is a strong sign of Spielberg taking on a very mature subject early on in his career (being before 'Schindler's List') and making a film, that regardless of how it compares to the source material, that's still powerful and moving. For me its only fault is that for my tastes everything felt too neatly wrapped up at the end.Spielberg directs impeccably however, under him the powerful drama never gets heavy-handed despite that it easily could have done and it is also genuinely poignant without falling into over-sentimentality that Spielberg has often been criticised for. 'The Color Purple' looks wonderful, being exquisitely shot and with evocative production design.Quincy Jones' score works remarkably well too, one that sears and soars with ease without being jarring or intrusive. The script provokes a lot of thought and has a lot of honesty and emotion. The hard-hitting story is as hoped told powerfully and movingly, not trivialising the horrors of its themes and the consequences of what happens to the characters.Whoopi Goldberg was rarely better than she is in 'The Color Purple', a wonderful performance with her face and eyes telling so much and one can really see how much damage what she went through has done. Danny Glover is sublimely nasty in one of his best performances worthy of an award nomination but overlooked. Pre-TV career Oprah Winfrey is in a different role, and does remarkably well, while Margaret Avery is affecting.Overall, a powerful and moving film, a worthy adaptation of an even better book. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Absolutely one of the worst films I've ever watched I can barely muster the motivation to write this review. However you must know the Script is erratic, unrealistic and overplayed by the actors. They are infuriatingly shallow characters... I wonder how they were nominated for any awards let alone win so many! I have to say I think this was a sympathy vote for the all black cast. A total shame on the industry. This movie was a waste of money and a shame for the wonderful Oprah and Whoopi.And let me repeat this once more for emphasis. The AWFUL movie Absolutely one of the worst films I've ever watched I can barely muster the motivation to write this review. However you must know the Script is erratic, unrealistic and overplayed by the actors. They are infuriatingly shallow characters... I wonder how they were nominated for any awards let alone win so many! I have to say I think this was a sympathy vote for the all black cast. A total shame on the industry. This movie was a waste of money and a shame for the wonderful Oprah and Whoopi.

This movie is the epitome of the Southern pre-World War I to post World War II climate and attitudes. While following the plight of a young Black woman,forced to marry at a young age, it addresses issues such as gender biases, racial stigmas, religion and even those matters which some may still consider taboo in today's society. Poignant and dramatic this movie is well worth its weight in gold. I am so fond of this movie that I wrote a 15 page term paper on it and the various topics explored for a sociology course. I have not read the book,although I plan to someday but it's my understanding that the book is as good, if not better, than the film version. Samotta Wiggins

I honestly felt like I wanna cry, Celie didn't deserve to be a victim of rape at 14 by her sick father. Then becomes a slave by her "husband" who domestically abuses her. Seriously, it'll make you sick to the stomach. I swear if my partner hits me like that, I would get outta there and call the damn police! I just couldn't understand why Celie didn't run away from him in the beginning?! The poor thing suffered enough especially not having contact with her sister because of him!This film honestly makes you feel so angry, no one deserves to be treated like crap. I honestly wish the women on this stood up for their rights, surely there was at least activism regarding domestic abuse around that time?! There should've been if it wasn't mentioned, it's disgusting and shameful for victims to be left out!I couldn't understand why this film didn't get the 11 Oscars, it needed to be deserved something for awareness. I definitely recommend this to anyone who haven't got around in watching it, it is excellent!