The Purple Plain

1954

Action / Adventure / Drama / War

10
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 60% · 3 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 60% · 1K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.5/10 10 2698 2.7K

world war ii burma struggle for survival bomber pilot airman royal air force

Plot summary

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.

Director

Robert Parrish Photo
Robert Parrish

Top cast

Peter Arne Photo
Peter Arne as Flight Lieutenant
Gregory Peck Photo
Gregory Peck as Squadron Leader Bill Forrester
Win Min Than Photo
Win Min Than as Anna
Dorothy Alison Photo
Dorothy Alison as Nurse
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
808.83 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds 1
1.64 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 40 min
Seeds 4

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by AlsExGal 7 / 10

A commentary on the transitory nature of life

This well-produced and often-moving J. Arthur Rank production stars Gregory Peck as a Canadian flyer serving with the British in Burma, suicidally reckless after his wife's death in the Blitz, who finds new reason for living after meeting a beautiful Burmese girl. Then, however, his plane crashes in the wilderness behind Japanese lines and he has to find a way to get back home with his injured crewman and complaining passenger. It's beautifully shot, well-acted, and a powerful story of hope vs. Despair. Apparently, a popular hit in Britain, it doesn't seem to have made much of a mark in the U. S. but deserves to be much better known.
Reviewed by bkoganbing 7 / 10

A Crisis of Confidence

In The Purple Plain Gregory Peck became the latest in a long list of American stars playing Canadians in order to appear natural in a British production. At least Peck did not attempt an English accent as he did in The Paradine Case where he drifted in and out of one during the course of the film.The Purple Plain is set in the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II and Peck is a pilot with the RAF. He's a man who takes reckless chances on missions because he's got nothing to live for, his wife having been killed in the blitz in wartime London. But a doctor friend, Bernard Lee, decides what Peck needs is a new woman and a new purpose in life. He introduces him to missionary Brenda DaBanzie and also to a lovely Eurasian played by Win Min Than in her one and only film. If The Purple Plain has a glaring weakness it's her, she's beautiful, but can't act. Peck may have a new outlook on life and a reason to live, but that fact is lost on Maurice Denham his bunkmate and copilot. On a routine mission, Peck, Denham, with new navigator Lyndon Brook crash in the Burmese jungle. Will they all survive as Peck's leadership is put to the test?If the jungle looks familiar, The Purple Plain was shot in Sri Lanka, Ceylon at the time which was for a brief period, a most popular place for film locations. Around the same time Elephant Walk was done here and later on the acclaimed Bridge on the River Kwai. The Purple Plain is beautifully photographed in that jungle.The Purple Plain is not as good as The Bridge on the River Kwai, it certainly is much better than Elephant Walk. Peck delivers a stalwart performance and gets able assistance from the rest of the cast with the exception of his leading lady. It's worth a look the next time it is broadcast.
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