Product Description

Based on the popular Broadway play, Purlie Victorious is the story of a black preacher (award-winning stage and screen actor, Ossie Davis), who returns home to rural Georgia to claim an inheritance and bring down Ol' Cap'n Stonewall Jackson Cotchipee (Sorrell Booke, The Dukes of Hazzard), the ruthless plantation owner that he once served. Accompanying Purlie is Miss Lutiebelle Jenkins (Ruby Dee), a pretty young girl who has captured his heart. Purlie persuades her to convince Cotchipee that she is the long-lost relative entitled to the family inheritance. But, the plot goes awry and Purlie must hide to escape the old man's wrath. He finds a surprise ally in Cotchipee's son, Charlie (award-winning actor, Alan Alda, in his first film role), a progressive Southern gentleman who takes matters into his own hands, eventually helping Purlie emerge victorious. While played with comedic effect, Purlie Victorious reflects the powerful themes of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. The movie also stars Godfrey M. Cambridge, Hilda Haynes, Beah Richards, Charles Welch and Ralph Roberts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17006 in DVD
• Brand: MPI
• Released on: 2006-01-31
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Customer Reviews

From the Mind OF A Master
Ossie Davis was indeed a master storyteller. I saw the play on broadway with Cleavon Little in the title role and Melba Moore as Lutiebelle. I saw the play on A&E with Robert Guilluame in the title role. But, Ossie was truly Purlie in every fiber of his being. The original title of this movie was Gone Are The Days when I saw it on television many years ago. I was so taken with his performance that I taped it on a reel to reel just to hear it over and over again. Now that I have the original on dvd my children can get to see what real acting is all about. And they get to see 'The Mayor' in his prime. Yes, from the beginning Ossie knew how to 'do the right thing'!

Highly recommended for its interesting and progressive message
Starring Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and Alan Alda, Purlie Victorious, originally a popular Broadway production, is the intriguing story of a black preacher's return to his home in rural Georgia to claim a rightful inheritance and diminish the powers of his once served 'boss' Ol' Cap'n Stonewall Jackson Cotchipee. As an activist film in the midst of the civil rights movement in the 1960's, Purlie Victorious entertains viewers with a great plot as Purlie's persuasion convinces his young girl-friend to claim herself a long-lost relative of Cotchipee's family. When the deception fails to work, rendering Purlie "dispositioned" to go into hiding. Remarkably, however, Cotchipee's son, Charlie, intervenes to the couples assistance and hopefully their eventual success. Purlie Victorious is very highly recommended for its interesting and progressive message. (black & white, 100 minutes)

Good old movie - Purlie Victorious
With the recent passing of Ossie Davis, I wanted to see some of his earlier works. As I expected his play, turned into film, was outstanding. He and Ruby Dee were always captivating and it's good to know that their chemistry was there from the start.
Supporting characters, such as Alan Alda, were essential to this story line. Though, nowadays, I'd consider Mr. Cambridge's performance a bit bafoonish ... it flowed with the times and tone of the story. His part made for a better "read" than to actually "see" him play the part.
Overrall, I'm glad I have it for my collection of black films to pass on to my two sons.