DVD Corner

The Color Purple 4K UHD Review

“The Color Purple” isn’t one of Steven Spielberg’s best films. 

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, 1985’s “The Color Purple” is an early 1900’s set story that chronicles the life of Celie Harris Johnson from her childhood to adulthood. Celie’s life is filled with hardships that include having to give up 2 children born under horrifying circumstances, an abusive father, a forced marriage to an abusive cheating husband (Mister), having to raise Mister’s bad children, and being forced to separate from her sister Nettie. Through Celie’s struggles though, she begins to take back her life and form friendships and connections with a singer named Shug and the spirited Sofia that will forever change her.

Before the musical film version releases, WB is releasing director Steven Spielberg’s version on 4K for the first time. Written for the screen by Menno Meyjes, “The Color Purple” is a prime example of “the book is better.” Even though Spielberg is one of cinema’s great directors, he was not the right fit for this material. Although he has evolved in the few decades since, Spielberg’s films were very tender and that’s not the approach to take with this story. From the start, Spielberg really shied away from the darker elements and even played off disturbing moments with a tone that was not befitting. Sure, he nails the big emotional moments (including the satisfying ending), but this tale of oppression, family, relationships, friendships, personal growth, redemption, freedom deserved to be more honest and less watered down.

The cast carries the movie through and through. Whoopi Goldberg made her film debut here and it’s easy to see why she became such a star. She has such range. Oprah Winfrey gave the best performance of her career as Sofia. The always reliable Donald Glover is great as Mister. Margaret Avery steals the show as Shug. Why wasn’t her career bigger after this film?

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 2160p. How does it look? From the opening scene in the purple flower fields, you can tell this transfer was going to amaze and it does. Well worth the upgrade for fans.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? From the score by Quincy Jones to the dialogue, this is a crisp 5.1 track.

Extras:
* Theatrical trailer and teaser trailers 2 and 3.
* “The Color Purple: The Musical” about the music in the film.
* Digital copy
* “Cultivating A Classic: The Making Of The Color Purple” featurette.
* “A Collaboration Of Spirits: Casting And Acting The Color Purple”- The title says it all.
* “Conversations With Ancestors: The Color Purple From Book To Screen”- Author Alice Walker talks about her novel, the characters, her experiences in writing, the book’s journey to the big screen. Interviews with Spielberg are also included.

December 6, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, The Color Purple, The Color Purple 4K UHD Review, Whoopi Goldberg