The Color Purple (1985) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
Rated PG-13 • 1985 • 2h 34m
Overall: A Black woman in the American South endures abuse and hardship on her journey toward independence. Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey. The PG-13 rating covers domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the film's sustained emotional weight.
Cast
Is The Color Purple appropriate for kids?
Overall: A Black woman in the American South endures abuse and hardship on her journey toward independence. Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey. The PG-13 rating covers domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the film's sustained emotional weight. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Color Purple
What happens in The Color Purple, moment by moment
- 0:05 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- 0:18 💬 Language 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Color Purple
Sexual abuse — Celie is raped by her stepfather and forced into a loveless marriage. Depicted with full weight as the crimes they are.
Violence and gore in The Color Purple
Domestic abuse — Mister's violence against Celie. The violence is emotionally devastating.
Language in The Color Purple
The film contains moderate language, including infrequent profanity and the use of harsh epithets. Characters utilize period-accurate racial slurs and derogatory terms that reflect the discriminatory social climate of the early 20th-century Southern United States. These instances are used primarily to illustrate the oppression and verbal abuse faced by the protagonists.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Color Purple
There is no significant usage of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted within the film. The narrative focuses on social and domestic challenges rather than substance-related issues, making this a non-factor for the rating. Occasional background smoking or social drinking typical of the historical setting may appear, but it is never a focal point of the story.
Mature themes in The Color Purple
A woman who survives everything thrown at her and finds herself. Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer-winning novel. The sister reunion is one of cinema's great moments of joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Color Purple appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Color Purple is best for ages 14+. It's rated PG-13. Overall: A Black woman in the American South endures abuse and hardship on her journey toward independence. Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey. The PG-13 rating covers domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the…
What age rating does The Color Purple have?
The Color Purple is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 14+.
What is The Color Purple about?
Overall: A Black woman in the American South endures abuse and hardship on her journey toward independence. Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey. The PG-13 rating covers domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the film's sustained emotional weight.
Is there sex or nudity in The Color Purple?
Sexual abuse — Celie is raped by her stepfather and forced into a loveless marriage. Depicted with full weight as the crimes they are.
How violent is The Color Purple?
Domestic abuse — Mister's violence against Celie. The violence is emotionally devastating.
Is the language in The Color Purple appropriate for kids?
The film contains moderate language, including infrequent profanity and the use of harsh epithets. Characters utilize period-accurate racial slurs and derogatory terms that reflect the discriminatory social climate of the early 20th-century Southern United…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Color Purple?
There is no significant usage of illegal drugs or alcohol abuse depicted within the film. The narrative focuses on social and domestic challenges rather than substance-related issues, making this a non-factor for the rating. Occasional background smoking or…
What mature themes appear in The Color Purple?
A woman who survives everything thrown at her and finds herself. Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer-winning novel. The sister reunion is one of cinema's great moments of joy.
How long is The Color Purple?
The Color Purple runs 154 minutes, directed by Steven Spielberg, released in 1985.
Where can I read the full The Color Purple parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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