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IMDbPro

The Purple Plain

  • 19541954
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
The Purple Plain (1954)
AdventureDramaWar
In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.In WW2 Burma, a Canadian bomber pilot becomes reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air-raid.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
    • Robert Parrish
    • H.E. Bates(novel)
    • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Gregory Peck
    • Bernard Lee
    • Win Min Than
    • Robert Parrish
    • H.E. Bates(novel)
    • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Gregory Peck
    • Bernard Lee
    • Win Min Than
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 41User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards

    Photos103

    The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Jack McNaughton in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Bernard Lee and Harold Siddons in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck in The Purple Plain (1954)
    Gregory Peck and Maurice Denham in The Purple Plain (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gregory Peck
    Gregory Peck
    • Squadron Leader Bill Forrester
    Bernard Lee
    Bernard Lee
    • Dr. Harris
    Win Min Than
    Win Min Than
    • Anna
    Brenda de Banzie
    Brenda de Banzie
    • Miss McNab
    • (as Brenda De Banzie)
    Maurice Denham
    Maurice Denham
    • Blore
    Lyndon Brook
    Lyndon Brook
    • Carrington
    Anthony Bushell
    Anthony Bushell
    • Group Captain Aldridge
    Josephine Griffin
    Josephine Griffin
    • Mrs. Bill Forrester
    Ram Gopal
    • Mr. Phang
    Dorothy Alison
    Dorothy Alison
    • Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Arne
    Peter Arne
    • Flight Lieutenant
    • (uncredited)
    Ernest Blyth
    • Man Dancing at Wedding
    • (uncredited)
    Kurt Christian
    Kurt Christian
      Richard Duke
      • Nightclub Patron on Dance Floor
      • (uncredited)
      Jack McNaughton
      • Sgt. Ralph Brown
      • (uncredited)
      Lane Meddick
      • Radio Operator
      • (uncredited)
      Harold Siddons
      • Navigator Williams
      • (uncredited)
      Mya Mya Spencer
      • Dorothy
      • (uncredited)
        • Robert Parrish
        • H.E. Bates(novel)
        • Eric Ambler(screenplay)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        Win Min Than's husband was so jealous about losing her to the film's "decadent" Hollywood star Gregory Peck, he ordered his wife to eat garlic before romantic scenes with Peck. Fortunately, the production crew was able to convince her husband that Peck and the others were respectful of her so he went home leaving her to finish the picture in peace.
      • Goofs
        When Peck's co-pilot looks out at the starboard engine, it is leaking some kind of fluid, but that fluid is running down the side of the engine. It's not showing any sign of what would have to be, at least a 200 mph wind, passing over the nacelle.
      • Quotes

        Anna: It's not good to die inside.

        Squadron Leader Bill Forrester: It's like living a bad dream.

        Anna: Here we bury the dead in the earth not in our hearts. Is the dream over now?

        Squadron Leader Bill Forrester: I think so.

      • Crazy credits
        Opening credits prologue: BURMA 1945
      • Soundtracks
        Onward Christian Soldiers
        (uncredited)

        Music by Arthur Sullivan and lyrics by Sabine Baring-Gould

      User reviews41

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      10/10
      THE most underrated movie of the 1950s!
      I've had this movie on my 10 Best List for many, many years.

      This story of healing from loss through love is immensely powerful. It's exquisitely photographed; it looks much more art film than Hollywood. The direction is solid, and the pacing near perfect. Peck holds his own among a field of scene-stealing character actors. His performance gives us a clue as to what he was like on the stage. His good looks don't distract you; he's utterly convincing as a pilot who's lost the love of his life and no longer cares whether he lives or dies. In the first part of the movie his character is not a good guy, and it's believable. Hard to do when you look like Gregory Peck.

      Love conquers all, of course. The story turns on his love for a woman. But, as the movie progresses, we find that he loves his crew too, even "old Blore." The young navigator worships him, and the admiration is returned full force. Their relationship is a key element of the story, as important as the romance between Peck and the Burmese girl.

      This is one of those rare movies where men openly love each other--not in a gay sense--in a human sense. It's a love based on respect. This is something missing from almost all heterosexual movies. Probably because most men don't seem to be able to easily distinguish between sex, attraction, affection, and love. It all gets mixed up together, and homophobia damps down any positive emotions between men that isn't associated with some sport. Wartime seems to provoke these feelings too, evidently, but it's rare for a picture to show manly affection, except as a joke. It's just one aspect of this film, but one that shouldn't be overlooked.

      I can only hope this movie gets rediscovered and recognized for the fine, fine film that it is.
      helpful•65
      5
      • ekeby
      • Jul 4, 2006

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • November 26, 1954 (Finland)
        • United Kingdom
        • English
      • Also known as
      • Filming locations
        • Elephant Pass, Sri Lanka
      • Production companies
        • J. Arthur Rank Organisation
        • Two Cities Films
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

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      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • 1 hour 40 minutes
        • Color

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