THE PURPLE PLAIN is a character-based WW2 drama set the wilds of Burma. It's based on a novel by H.E. Bates and was shot in Sri Lanka for extra authenticity. The film's ace is in the casting of Gregory Peck in the lead role; he handles a complex and in some ways ambiguous role very well indeed and gives the viewer a reason to watch. The film is in parts a romance and a survival epic, and with the true to life characters it remains readily watchable.

Patience my boy…I believe I heard myself say attempting to still my mind in the early going of The Purple Plain. It's almost plain silly how the viewer is clobbered over the head as the movie drives home the message squadron leader, Captain Bill Forrester (Gregory Peck), has lost his right mind. The Canadian pilot Bill has previously lost his new wife in a Nazi bombing raid and now he flies out of Burma and is increasingly prone to zoning out and disobeying orders per his fixation with death. Forrester is what we'd call in eighties speak a "loose cannon". His fellow British soldiers simply say "he's gone 'round the bend".I'm not particularly fond of Peck myself as I find him almost always darkly wooden and unsympathetic (not likable). I think in fairness I thought this was an actual war fighting tale, but it's a human drama in wartime thing and not at all a battle diorama. I couldn't help but notice the special effects weren't just dated, but pretty low-rent too. The most effective added effect was the depiction of the hot climate. Everyone was so sweaty I actually felt like I was too… welcome to Burma.The squadron doctor pulls Forrester apart from the unit and they travel inland to a missionary school where it seems very calculated on the doctor's part as Forester meets Anna. Anna is from Rangoon and she's a very Americanized, quite naturally beautiful,native. She's, one would guess, suppose to open Forrester up and, hopefully, find some stuff out in cahoots with the doctor. Since Bill Forrester is a wild card enigma perhaps this could help? Well, it does as he "bonds" with Anna finding new purpose. The various efforts trying to "humanize" (i.e. stabilize for his men's sake) Forrester goes like a dentist attempting to pull teeth from the most unwilling of patients as one isn't really sure what Anna may have awoke within Forester. That revelation is the real meat of the story when Forester gallantly fights for his, and his fellow crewmen's survival when he is forced to crash land on an ill-fated hop through hostile (both enemy as well as environment) territory. Forerster chooses to leave behind his demons and chose life without the self-indulgent torture.One would have to say this is a somewhat low-drama tale of coming to terms of war's horrible loses becoming all-consuming if one allows it. It's no masterpiece, but within it's humble story Peck does show some of that magical screen presence as he carries the load almost single-handedly. Don't expect a big wartime extravaganza and keep your expectations guarded and you may find it's interesting center. That would be the damage an otherwise solid soldier may fall victim to and the path back for, at least, this one man. Crystal clear cinematography with several striking scenes aid in bringing some needed impact in spite of the rather poor (few, in fairness) special effects. Not a must see save for Peck pulling this one out in spite of his, mostly, hard to embrace persona of character Bill Forrester.

A fine movie about a suicide-minded pilot fighting in Burma during World War II. The Gregory Peck character lost his bride during the German bombing of London, needs to find a purpose for living. He'll soon find it, as there's much need for able men not only in the hero department but also pretty girls need attention -- even in the Burma jungle.The themes of duty, courage, purpose, tenacity and redemption ride deep, and there's enough patriotism and faith to make any godless liberals in the audience cringe like Dracula facing a Crucifix. The Burma locations add a lot, as do the high production standards. They knew how to make good movies 50 years ago -- unlike today.This film has real heroes. Today's cocaine-soaked film industry only knows about comic book-style Super Heroes, who fight make-believe enemies using only the weapon of computer animation. They offer nothing to the younger generation save for inspiration fire up the PlayStation. Moral bankruptcy for the Bevis and Butthead audience; grown-ups (12 and older) are the forgotten audience.Gregory Peck made lots of excellent films prior to his dreadful (but Oscar winning) role of Aticus Finch. The Purple Plain is a fine example of his acting and star quality. Sadly, Peck just went to the dogs the last years of his career.Not only were movies better in 1954, but watching them was better. I saw The Purple Plain at Loew's Capitol Theatre -- the most deluxe theater that ever existed in Washington, DC. With its giant screen (largest ever), stereo sound and 3645 seats, you could sit in an atmosphere that would make the Emperor of China green with envy.

A pot-boiler of a Film that is intelligently crafted by Director Robert Parrish. To some it may seem intolerably slow & lacking pace, but to others like myself the Film does something that nearly all Films in the Fifties and indeed many now do not even attempt to achieve, and that is take the time to investigate the main characters in depth and in detail. This is done not via long tracts of dialogue, but via the un-said. In particular Peck and the astonishingly beautiful and talented Win Man Than as 'Anna' develop their relationship in the Film in the subtlest and most delicate of manners. I can find no further information on Win Man Tan, but her performance in this period piece, is one part enchanting, one part mesmerising. We understand fully how Peck's psychiatric problems eventually dissolve as hie begins to find perspective courtesy of love for 'Anna'. This Film is not staggering nor the best piece of Cinema you will ever see, but it is superbly acted, wonderfully cast, sparingly written, adroitly directed, and deserves to be watched by anyone who has a love of Cinema. Recommended, because what we see at our Cinemas today has MUCH to learn from Movie making such as this.