Warner’s 2023 film adaptation of the Broadway musical version of The Color Purple arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray.
The Production: 3/5
Alice Walker’s 1983 Pulitzer-prize winning novel was first adapted as a dramatic film by Steven Spielberg in 1985. Twenty years later, in 2005, a musical version was adapted for Broadway featuring songs by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis. And now that Broadway musical has been adapted for the big screen in 2023 by director Blitz Bazawule.
I have never seen the stage musical, but it sure feels like something is missing here in its translation from stage to screen. The film does follow the same story and structure that Spielberg’s 1985 film did, with two sisters Celie and Nettie raised by sexually abusive father Alfonso, Celie then given to another abusive man, Mister (Colman Domingo), who separates the sisters for 25 years, and Celie’s struggles overcoming her oppressive life and eventually reuniting with her sister Nettie. Many of the musical numbers are well-staged and choreographed, but the emotional beats found in Spielberg’s classic are rather muted in Bazawule’s film. Many of the performances are exceptional, such as Fantasia Barrino as the adult Celie, Danielle Brooks as Sophia, Colman Domingo as Mister, and Halle Bailey as Young Nettie. Taraji P. Henson as Shug, though, is a class in overacting, making her character unbelievable.
Video: 4/5
3D Rating: NA
The Color Purple was captured in 4.5K resolution using Arri Alexa LF and Mini LF cameras, completed as a 4K digital intermediate in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Warner’s 2160p HEVC encode has been graded using Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range. While the disc does offer a finely detailed image with strong contrast offering deep blacks and strong shadow details. The disappointment, though, is the drab, rather muted colors that make you want to reach for your display’s remote to turn up the color levels. It lacks the pop that Allen Daviau’s cinematography in the 1985 film had, something this film really needed.
Audio: 5/5
Where this disc really shines is in its default Dolby Atmos track (with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) that immerses the viewer in its musical sequences, surrounding them in wall to wall music, and offering nice atmospheric touches during the more quieter sections. LFE adds some nice low-end support to the music. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout.
Special Features: 2/5
Warner’s single 4K disc release includes the following special features:
Creating “The Color Purple:” A Bold Take on the Beloved Classic (1080p; 6:21): A quick overview of development, rehearsals, etc.
Hell Yes! The Iconic Characters of “The Color Purple” (1080p; 7:00): A quick overview of the casting process.
In the Flow: Creating “The Color Purple’s” Biggest Musical Moments (1080p; 8:03): A quick look at the musical numbers in the film.
A Story for Me: The Legacy of “The Color Purple” (1080p; 6:38): Producers Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey reflect on making the 1985 and 2023 musical versions.
Musical Moments (2160p; 43:55): Quick access to the musical numbers in the film.
Digital Copy: A Movies Anywhere code is included.
Overall: 3.5/5
Something has been lost in translating the Broadway musical to the big screen in director Blitz Bazawule’s rendition of The Color Purple.
The Color Purple (2023) [4K Ultra HD + Digital] [4…
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Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.
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