The Color Purple

Factual error: When Celie is leaving Albert, she is riding in the back of the car with Shug. As the car drives away down the dirt driveway you can see the telephone pole and electricity wires at the end of the driveway. Not unusual now, but in rural Georgia in the 1930's, it would have been impossible.

Factual error: The letter from Nettie is dated 18 April 1935 but the larger of the stamps on the envelope is the Southern Rhodesia stamp for the Silver Jubilee of George V, that wasn't issued till 6 May 1935.

Factual error: When Harpo opens his Blues Pub in 1922, Shug sings a song in it on the opening; after which she has a conversation with Celie. In the background, we hear some music, and it is a piece of John Lee Hooker. Not only that John Lee Hooker was only 7 years old at that time, the music seems to come from a modern Hifi system, not a gramophone.

Character mistake: In the scene where Sophia confronts Celie in the cornfield, she starts by saying, "You told Harpo to beat me". Later she tells Celie, "If you want a dead son-in-law Miss Celie, you keep on advising him like you do". Harpo is actually Celie's stepson, NOT her son-in-law.

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Old Mr.: Celie, you has my sympathy. Ain't many women allow they husband's ho to lay up in they house.

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Trivia: The Color Purple tied an Oscars record (with 1977's Turning Point) for a film having the most nominations without actually winning any. This was a result of a pressure campaign by the NAACP, which objected to the film's portrayal of Black men.

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Question: In the scene when Celie is first brought home with Mister there are three kids waiting outside. Harpo and two sisters. No one ever says their names and after the hair combing you never see them again. What happened to them?

Answer: It is never explained what happened to them in the movie, but in the book they marry and move away from home. Neither character is ever mentioned by their name in the book or the film.

raywest

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