The Purple Plain
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.23 You Save: $7.75 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.93 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Purple Plain
Movie Review: Self-Redemption in Burma
Summary: 3 Stars
While Gregory Peck heads the cast, "The Purple Plain" is a British World War II film, produced in 1954 by the J. Arthur Rank Studios (and presumably distributed by MGM). So far reviews seem to fall into two camps--people who love it and people who are unimpressed with it. I find myself somewhere between these two extremes. Unlike at least one other reviewer, I will try not to reveal too much of the plot for first-time viewers.
Mr. Peck plays Squadron Leader Bill Forrester, a Canadian pilot and veteran of the Battle of Britain, now assigned to the Asian theatre of the war, specifically Burma, against the Japanese. Having lost his young wife in the London blitz, Forrester feels he has nothing to live for, and flies his Mosquito missions accordingly. He is reckless, even suicidal, much to the chagrin of his navigator as well as the people on the ground.
The kind Dr. Harris (a "pre-M" Bernard Lee) tries to help Forrester out of his depression by involving him with some of the local Burmese people, including a lovely young woman, Anna (Win Min Than). Forrester becomes captivated with Anna, and slowly regains his self respect and will to live. His survival instincts are soon put to the test. On the next flight, his plane crashes in very harsh, and Japanese-held, territory. Forrester survives the crash along with his young navigator
(Lyndon Brook), who receives nasty burns, and an older scientist, Blore (Maurice Denham). With limited water, and the blazing Burmese sun, the three men face a harsh fate, with a questionable chance of survival. Can Forrester return to the woman who has rekindled his interest in life, and redeem a tattered reputation with his compatriots ?
Mr. Peck delivers a compelling performance--he remains one of the most watchable actors in movies. I should also mention that fine British character actress, Brenda De Banzie--her role is small, but she leaves an indelible impression as Miss McNabb, the indefatigable Scottish missionary.
The full-screen picture exhibits effective colour--the sound is mono--don't look for extras.
"The Purple Plain" may not be one of Gregory Peck's most famous films--nor can it be considered one of the classic films of the fifties. At the same time, I found it an absorbing drama, well-acted by Mr. Peck, Ms. Than and a fine British cast--there is action, romance, suspense and important, universal themes are explored. I am pleased to add this DVD to my collection.
Movie Review: Confused....
Summary: 3 Stars
This movie is wonderful, but I gave 3 stars because of issues with the format. Gregory Peck is my favorite American actor and this is a fine, fine film. I have been waiting for a long time for this to be released.
I got it in the mail and on the back it was noted as "fullscreen". I am an original format NUT! If it was FILMED in that (full screen) aspect ratio, then fine. But, why does it say, "This film has been modified from it's original version. It has been formatted to fit your screen."?!!
I understand that cinemascope, etc. did not come around until, I believe, 1954 or 1955. This film was produced in one of those years.
Is there another version of this movie? If so, why did MGM release this one? Can anyone shed any light on this?
Movie Review: An Angry Finch Goes to Burma
Summary: 3 Stars
The movie is okay and you could spend a worse 90 minutes. Gregory Peck is a little angrier than usual at the beginning but he converts to a total good guy later. Yet another hero saved by a good woman. The story and the characters just lack depth. You can't get into his sorrow over his wife because you don't know her. After he agonizes over her to the point of mental disease, he becomes a new man after meeting another woman for about a total of 3 hours. It just doesn't add up. On the other hand, the acting is very good across the board.Movie Review: Am I Missing Something?
Summary: 2 Stars
Bought on the strength of other five-star reviews, I expected this film to be extraordinary. It is anything but. I found the story exquisitely dull. Troubled flier finds love in Burma, accidentally crashes plane, walks out of desert, carrying navigator across his shoulders. Deserts in Burma? This looks as if it were filmed in Arizona! There is no subplot to speak of. The direction is flat and linear and uninspiring. Peck is wooden. The Burmese actress is interesting but not fascinating. We're supposed to be up to our necks in danger, Japanese behind every bush, but apart from a tiny skirmish at the beginning, World War II could be happening a thousand miles away. Eric Ambler wrote the script and it is surprisingly uninspiring. The DVD picture quality is very good and the colors are bright and clear. Heaven knows it doesn't cost much. But I am simply mystefied how the other reviewers awarded this movie such a galaxy of stars. When supporting actor Bernard Lee ('M' in the early Bondflicks) is the most interesting character in the film, you know you're in trouble. Sorry to be the skunk at the picnic, but I just cannot see what all the fuss is about.Movie Review: The Perspiring Plain
Summary: 2 Stars
World War II is soon to end. We're in hot and humid Burma where you can count on one hand the number of scenes in which people aren't perspiring or wearing sweaty clothes. This becomes noticeable because the characters and narrative, in their cliched predictability, don't hold your attention. Brenda de Banzie has a lively turn as a Scots missionary, and Gregory Peck is convincing as a daredevil flyer who connects with an educated beauty improbably helping out in a jungle village. There's no doubt whatsoever which men in a plane crash will survive the long trek back to base. You have seen this movie many times before. You might possibly enjoy seeing it again.