The Color Purple

Set in America's deep south during the early part of this century The Color Purple follows the fotunes of a black girl called Celie. Subjected to mental and physical cruelty almost beyond endurance, Celie is "given" to a widower whom she calls 'Mister'. Barely more than a girl herself, she is forced to look after Mister's four children and respond to his brutal advances. Throughout the horror of her virtual imprisonment by Mister, Celie's hope is sustained by her lifelong correspondence with her adored sister Nettie, who has returned to Africa as a missionary. It is one part of Celie's life that Mister cannot dominate and surpress and in jealous anger he intercepts the longed-for letters and hides them. Celie, now without hope, begins to sink but at the last she is reborn, inspired by the indomitable strength and courage of the glamorous blues singer Shug Avery, come into her life as Mister's lover. © Warner Bros. Inc