THE COLOR PURPLE

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is excited to announce the release of Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple on 4K and digital as part of their 100th anniversary centennial celebration. The release also coincides with the theatrical release of the movie musical coming to cinemas on Christmas Day starring Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, and Taraji P. Henson.

The Color Purple was adapted from Alice Walker’s monumental work of the same name that charts four decades in the life of Celie (Goldberg) who lived through years of abuse and trauma from 1909 to 1949. The film chronicles her story of survival, education, and breaking through the hardships in a sexist and racist society. The movie marked the film debuts of both Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey who both give stirring performances as Celie and Sofia, respectively. Goldberg has talked about her casting story of how she sent a letter to Alice Walker telling her she’d love to be a part of the movie if/when it were to ever be made. Years passed and she got a note from Walker stating she passed her information along to Steven Spielberg who was slated to direct the film. Spielberg took a chance at the young actress who was most known for her stand up comedy specials and Broadway appearances. Spielberg knew Goldberg was perfect for Celie and offered the part to her, despite Goldberg not even knowing if she was up to the challenge.

The film’s release was quite controversial with the NAACP and members of the film community raising concern over Spielberg telling this story over a black filmmaker. It would go on to be nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actress (Goldberg), and two Best Supporting Actress nominations (Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery). It lost every category including Best Picture, which went to Out of Africa.

Special Features (all previously released on earlier editions)

-Conversations with the Ancestors: The Color Purple from Book to Screen
-A Collaboration of Spirits: Casting and Acting The Color Purple
-Cultivating a Classic: The Making of The Color Purple
-The Color Purple: The Musical
-Theatrical trailers and teasers

Here’s a video I made for TikTok