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The Purple Plain

Play trailer Poster for The Purple Plain 1954 1h 40m Adventure Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
At the end of World War II in Burma, Canadian Royal Air Force pilot Forrester (Gregory Peck) is a loner whose bravery can't cover a streak of reckless instability. When his actions cause an injury, he is nearly transferred, but Dr. Harris (Bernard Lee) recommends pulling him from duty, due to the emotional trauma he's suffered. Forrester then accompanies Harris to a Christian missionary outpost, where he meets Anna (Win Min Than) and begins to find interest in living again.
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The Purple Plain

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 10/21/2019
Gregory Peck, as a war-weary but indomitable Canadian flier serving in Burma with the Royal Air Force, leads a grueling three-man trek through the jungle in this superior outdoor drama from Britain. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 04/09/2016
3/4
[UPDATED 2025 REVIEW] A British production that was far more popular in its homeland than in the US -- it was a hit in the UK and earned four BAFTA nominations, including one for Best Film -- it contains a typically excellent performance by Gregory Peck. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 05/13/2008
B
An intelligently presented World War II drama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D 01/23/2024 Solid war film with a lot on its mind. See more 06/15/2023 Well worth a watch, James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, June 15, 2023 See more george r 10/30/2022 The acting's a little stiff- I think Peck got better as he got older. Enjoyed it though. See more 06/19/2022 This is of course pretty old-school. But if you enjoy old-school then you might give it a chance. I have known this film for several decades now and watch it again and again. And I find it better every time, not to say: I LOVE it. I enjoy the music, the classic form of dramaturgy, this very British story and of course above all: GREGORY PECK. By the way, the "secret" heroes of this film are the two women: Anna and the "preacher". Conclusion: a masterpiece in every respect. See more 02/17/2022 An underated gem of a movie from 1954. It feels quite modern for its time. Extreme close ups and real attention to detail in the make up and wardrobe must have felt unusual at the time. Exceptional Cinematography puts the audience right up close to the characters and their emotions. The film has a hypnotic quality that is hard to quantify. The Purple Plain is a low budget British movie from the 1950s that deserved a wider audience outside of the UK. There are no gung ho heroics and military flag waving and this may be why it did not prove popular in the US. But it is the understated intelligence and believablity of this film that makes it so rewarding to watch. Gergory Peck's romance with WIn Min Than (who had no previous acting experience and never acted again) is refreshingly believable, and Peck himself is as watchable and charismatic as usual. All the characters are perfectly cast, the locations look authentic and the sweat and physical endurance of Gregory Peck's character, in an unusually physical role, feels very real. Apart from some poor special effects, the film has aged well, and credit for this must rest with the director's skill and creativity and Eric Ambler's lean and intelligent script. See more John M 11/01/2019 The Game of: To kill or not to Kill So many lessons about life is part of this movie. A must watch by all. See more Read all reviews
The Purple Plain

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Parrish

Director

Gregory Peck

Squadron Leader Bill Forrester

Win Min Than

Anna

Bernard Lee

Dr. Harris

Maurice Denham

Blore

Brenda De Banzie

Miss McNab
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The Purple Plain

The Purple Plain (1954) The Purple Plain (1954) The Purple Plain (1954) The Purple Plain (1954) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis At the end of World War II in Burma, Canadian Royal Air Force pilot Forrester (Gregory Peck) is a loner whose bravery can't cover a streak of reckless instability. When his actions cause an injury, he is nearly transferred, but Dr. Harris (Bernard Lee) recommends pulling him from duty, due to the emotional trauma he's suffered. Forrester then accompanies Harris to a Christian missionary outpost, where he meets Anna (Win Min Than) and begins to find interest in living again.
Director
Robert Parrish
Producer
John Bryan
Screenwriter
Eric Ambler
Production Co
Two Cities, J. Arthur Rank Organisation
Genre
Adventure, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
1h 40m
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