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The Making of 'The Color Purple'

Film · 2003

This made-for-video documentary treats film fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Color Purple, Steven Spielberg's oscar-nominated adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about life for a young black woman in turn-of-the-century America. Features interviews with Spielberg, as well as with producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, who share their experiences from working on the project, as well as discuss the special efforts that went into bringing this classic to life.

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01

The people who made it

9 of 9

Behind the camera

  1. Laurent Bouzereaudirector · writer · producer
  2. Bil Yoelineditor
  3. Quincy Jonescomposer

On screen

  1. J. Michael Rivalead actor
  2. Kathleen Kennedylead actor
  3. Frank Marshalllead actor
  4. Steven Spielberglead actor
  5. Aggie Guerard Rodgerssupporting actor
  6. Allen Daviausupporting actor
03

From the people who made The Making of 'The Color Purple'

49
  1. no artwork
    Creating A.I.2002 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  2. Tales from the Future2010 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  3. Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous: Making Gremlins2014 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  4. From Gizmo to Gremlins: Creating the Creatures2014 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  5. The Music of E.T.: A Discussion with John Williams2002 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  6. Raging Bull: Before the Fight2005 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  7. The Making of 'American Graffiti'1998 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  8. The Making of 'The Lost World'1997 · FilmExceptional· 3 shared
  9. The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'2001 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  10. Three Kinds of Close Encounters2017 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  11. The Making of '1941'1996 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  12. The Making of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'1996 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  13. Return to Jurassic Park2011 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  14. Capturing Avatar2010 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  15. The Making of 'Jaws'1995 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  16. Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford2023 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  17. Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy2003 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  18. Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck2013 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  19. Making 'Taxi Driver'1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  20. Catch Me If You Can: Behind the Camera2003 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  21. The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin2013 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  22. The Making of 'Cape Fear'2001 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  23. The Stories of West Side Story2022 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  24. Music by John Williams2024 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  25. The Fabelmans: A Family in Film2023 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  26. The Bloody Hundredth2024 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  27. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story2025 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  28. The 'E.T.' Journals2012 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  29. Five Came Back2017 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  30. A Case of the Cold War: Bridge of Spies2016 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  31. Five Came Back2017 · TV seriesStrong· 2 shared
  32. In Cold Blood1967 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  33. The Out-of-Towners1970 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  34. Mackenna's Gold1969 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  35. Mirage1965 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  36. Thriller 402023 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  37. The Anderson Tapes1971 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  38. The Deadly Affair1967 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  39. The Hot Rock1972 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  40. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice1969 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  41. The Italian Job1969 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  42. In the Heat of the Night1967 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  43. Quincy2018 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  44. They Call Me Mister Tibbs!1970 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  45. The Getaway1972 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  46. Score: A Film Music Documentary2017 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  47. The Pawnbroker1965 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  48. Cactus Flower1969 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  49. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air1990 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
04

Through the cast

149
  1. The GooniesKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1985 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  2. DadKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1989 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  3. Young Sherlock HolmesKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1985 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  4. Empire of the SunSteven SpielbergAllen Daviau1987 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
  5. A Wish for Wings That WorkKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1991 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  6. GremlinsKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1984 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  7. Joe Versus the VolcanoKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  8. Gremlins 2: The New BatchKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  9. Tummy TroubleFrank MarshallKathleen Kennedy1989 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  10. Roller Coaster RabbitFrank MarshallKathleen Kennedy1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  11. Back to the FutureKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1985 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  12. Back to the Future Part IIKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1989 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  13. Amblin'Steven SpielbergAllen Daviau1968 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  14. Back to the Future Part IIIKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  15. The Making of 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'Frank MarshallSteven Spielberg1984 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  16. Trail Mix-UpKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1993 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  17. We're Back! A Dinosaur's StoryKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1993 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  18. InnerspaceKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1987 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  19. *batteries not includedKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1987 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  20. ArachnophobiaFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1990 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  21. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg2008 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  22. The Land Before TimeKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1988 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  23. Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1984 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  24. E.T. the Extra-TerrestrialSteven SpielbergAllen Daviau1982 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  25. Who Framed Roger RabbitKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg1988 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  26. The BFGKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg2016 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  27. Cape FearKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1991 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  28. The Making Of The GooniesFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1985 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  29. The Lost World: Jurassic ParkKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg1997 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  30. PoltergeistSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1982 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  31. HereafterFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg2010 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  32. An American TailKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1986 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  33. FandangoKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1985 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  34. An American Tail: Fievel Goes WestKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1991 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  35. The Making of Back to the FutureFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1986 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  36. The Special RelationshipKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2010 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  37. AliveFrank MarshallKathleen Kennedy1993 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  38. Lincoln: An American JourneySteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2013 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  39. SignsKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2002 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  40. The Money PitSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1986 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  41. Twilight Zone: The MovieFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1983 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  42. Schindler's ListKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg1993 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  43. Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1989 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  44. On the LotSteven Spielberg2007 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  45. AlwaysSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1989 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  46. Roger Rabbit and the Secrets of Toon TownKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1988 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  47. Jurassic ParkSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1993 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  48. Noises Off...Kathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1992 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  49. HookSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1991 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  50. The Last AirbenderKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2010 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  51. War HorseSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2011 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  52. A.I. Artificial IntelligenceSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2001 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  53. Why We HateFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg2019 · TV seriesStrong· 2 shared
  54. Amazing StoriesSteven Spielberg1985 · TV seriesStrong· 3 shared
  55. The Making of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'Frank MarshallSteven Spielberg1981 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  56. Young Black StallionKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2003 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  57. LincolnSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2012 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  58. MunichSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2005 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  59. Raiders of the Lost ArkSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall1981 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  60. The Curious Birth of Benjamin ButtonKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2009 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  61. Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinySteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2023 · FilmStrong· 3 shared
  62. BaltoKathleen KennedySteven Spielberg1995 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  63. Amazing Stories: The Movie IISteven Spielberg1990 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  64. LIGHT & MAGICKathleen Kennedy2022 · TV seriesStrong· 3 shared
  65. The China Odyssey: Empire of the SunFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg1987 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  66. War of the WorldsSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2005 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  67. High IncidentSteven Spielberg1996 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  68. Eight BelowFrank Marshall2006 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  69. Invasion AmericaSteven Spielberg1998 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  70. Jurassic World RebirthSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2025 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  71. The Adventures of TintinSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2011 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  72. The Sixth SenseKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1999 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  73. Vanessa in the GardenSteven Spielberg1985 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  74. Finding OscarSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2016 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  75. Jurassic Park IIISteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy2001 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  76. TwisterSteven SpielbergKathleen Kennedy1996 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  77. Jurassic World: Fallen KingdomSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2018 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  78. Close Encounters of the Third KindSteven Spielberg1977 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  79. Jurassic World: Chaos TheoryFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg2024 · TV seriesStrong· 2 shared
  80. The Indian in the CupboardKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1995 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  81. Voices from the ListSteven Spielberg2004 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  82. Swing KidsFrank Marshall1993 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  83. Jurassic WorldSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2015 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  84. A Timeless CallSteven Spielberg2008 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  85. Milk MoneyKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1994 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  86. DuelSteven Spielberg1971 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  87. Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden AdventureFrank MarshallSteven Spielberg2022 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  88. Jurassic World DominionSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2022 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  89. The Sugarland ExpressSteven Spielberg1974 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  90. The FabelmansSteven Spielberg2022 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  91. Disclosure DaySteven Spielberg2026 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  92. Saving Private RyanSteven Spielberg1998 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  93. Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The MandalorianKathleen Kennedy2020 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  94. An Old Fashioned Love Story: Making 'The Bridges of Madison County'Kathleen Kennedy2008 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  95. Emulsional Rescue: Revealing 'The Godfather'Allen DaviauSteven Spielberg2008 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  96. TwistersSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2024 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  97. The Unfinished JourneySteven Spielberg1999 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  98. Something EvilSteven Spielberg1972 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  99. Snow Falling on CedarsKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall1999 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  100. SeabiscuitKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2003 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  101. The WarriorsFrank Marshall1979 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  102. Gremlins 3Steven Spielberg2027 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  103. Shooting WarSteven Spielberg2000 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  104. PersepolisKathleen Kennedy2007 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  105. They'll Love Me When I'm DeadFrank Marshall2018 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  106. The Bourne IdentityFrank Marshall2002 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  107. JawsSteven Spielberg1975 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  108. AnimaniacsSteven Spielberg1993 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  109. The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonKathleen KennedyFrank Marshall2008 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  110. Savage!Steven Spielberg1973 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  111. 1941Steven Spielberg1979 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  112. The FlintstonesKathleen Kennedy1994 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  113. AmistadSteven Spielberg1997 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  114. Mr. 3000Frank Marshall2004 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  115. AFI: 100 Years... 100 Movies... 10th Anniversary EditionSteven Spielberg2007 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  116. The Shark Is Still WorkingSteven SpielbergLaurent Bouzereau2009 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  117. The TerminalSteven Spielberg2004 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  118. Amazing StoriesSteven Spielberg2020 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  119. Night GallerySteven Spielberg1969 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  120. Pinky and the BrainSteven Spielberg1995 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  121. Ace Eli and Rodger of the SkiesSteven Spielberg1973 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  122. What Lies BeneathSteven Spielberg2000 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  123. Warner at WarSteven Spielberg2008 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  124. Class of '61Steven Spielberg1993 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  125. Catch Me If You CanSteven Spielberg2002 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  126. no artwork
    Stanley Kubrick in FocusSteven Spielberg2012 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  127. I Wanna Hold Your HandSteven Spielberg1978 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  128. The MandalorianKathleen Kennedy2019 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  129. Into the WestSteven Spielberg2005 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  130. Amazing StoriesSteven Spielberg1986 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  131. George Lucas: Creating an EmpireSteven SpielbergFrank Marshall2005 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  132. Jurassic World Camp CretaceousSteven Spielberg2020 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  133. Bridge of SpiesSteven Spielberg2015 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  134. Used CarsSteven Spielberg1980 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  135. Pinky, Elmyra & The BrainSteven Spielberg1998 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  136. A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American ZoetropeSteven Spielberg2004 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  137. Men in BlackSteven Spielberg1997 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  138. United States of TaraSteven Spielberg2009 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  139. The PostSteven Spielberg2017 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  140. The Last DaysSteven Spielberg1998 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  141. Continental DivideSteven Spielberg1981 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  142. Rising: Rebuilding Ground ZeroSteven Spielberg2011 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  143. Semper FiSteven Spielberg2001 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  144. The Other Side of the WindFrank Marshall2018 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  145. Spinal Tap II: The End ContinuesFrank Marshall2025 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  146. The PsychiatristSteven Spielberg1971 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
  147. Something's Coming: West Side StorySteven Spielberg2021 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  148. DreamsSteven Spielberg1990 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  149. Freakazoid!Steven Spielberg1995 · TV seriesNotable· 1 shared
05

Across the whole team

1
  1. Congo1995 · FilmStrong· 4 shared
06

Same franchise

1
  1. The Color Purple1985 · FilmExceptional· 6 shared