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The Purple Plain

Name: The Purple Plain
Genre: Drama, Adventure, War
Released: 1954-09-14
Cast: Gregory Peck, Win Min Than, Brenda De Banzie, Bernard Lee, Maurice Denham

1954 | 98 min | Drama, Adventure, War

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office loss and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved The Guns of Navarone, start here.
The mood: Intense.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 38 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1954: an older pace and style.

An RAF airfield in Burma in 1945, during World War II. Canadian bomber pilot Bill Forrester is a bitter man who lives haunted by a tragic past. He has became a reckless warrior, and is feared by his comrades, who consider him a madman. Dr. Harris, the squadron physician, is determined to help him heal his tormented soul.

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 19K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Parrish

Gregory PeckBill Forrester
Win Min ThanAnna
Brenda De BanzieMiss McNab
Bernard LeeDr. Harris
Maurice DenhamBlore
Lyndon BrookCarrington
Anthony BushellAldridge
Josephine GriffinMrs. Forrester
Ram GopalMr. Phang
Jack McNaughtonSergeant (uncredited)