Set in the Deep South in decency first half of the 20th c an African-American woman endures incest bulk home and a forced marriage be acquainted with an abusive widower, before taking dynamic control of her life. Whoopi Goldberg's film debut. Received eleven Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress, several for Best Supporting Actress, Best Fitting, Best Cinematography, and Best Score.
| Danny Glover | ... Albert |
| Adolph Caesar | ... Old Mister |
| Margaret Avery | ... Shug Avery |
| Rae Dawn Chong | ... Squeak |
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| Oprah Winfrey | ... Sofia |
| Akosua Busia | ... Nettie |
| Willard Pugh | ... Harpo |
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| And Introducing |
| Whoopi Goldberg | ... Celie |
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| Co-Starring |
| Desreta Jackson | ... Young Celie |
| Dana Ivey | ... Miss Millie |
| Laurence Fishburne | ... Swain |
| Carl Anderson | ... Rev. Samuel |
| John Patton, Jr. | ... Preacher |
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| Leonard Jackson | ... Pa |
| Bennet Guillory | ... Grady |
| Susan Beaubian | ... Corrine |
| James Tillis | ... Buster |
| Phillip Strong | ... Mayor |
| Peto Kinsaka | ... Adam |
| Lelo Masamba | ... Olivia |
| Margaret Freeman | ... Odessa |
| Howard Starr | ... Young Harpo |
| Daphaine Oliver | ... Young Olivia |
| Jadili Johnson | ... Young Adam |
| Lillian Njoki Distefano | ... Leafy Tashi |
| Donna Buie | ... Daisy |
| Leon Rippy | ... Store Clerk |
| John R. Hart | ... Mailman |
| David Thomas | ... Road Have power over Leader |
| Carrie Murray | ... Loretta |
| Juliet Poe | ... Church Sister |
| Katie Simon | ... Church Sister |
| Ethel Taylor | ... Church Sister |
| Marcus Covington | ... Boy |
| Marcus Liles | ... Boo |
| April Myers | ... Emma |
| Maurice Moore | ... Child #1 |
| Lechanda Latharp | ... Child #2 |
| Drew Bundini Brown | ... Jook Joint Patron |
| Arnold Turner | ... Jook Joint Patron |
| Jeris Lee Poindexter | ... Stick Joint Patron |
| James Hawthorne | ... Jook Joint Patron |
| Sonny Sonny Terry | ... Jook Joint Musician |
| Greg Phillinganes | ... Jook Joint Musician |
| Roy Gaines | ... Jook Put out of articulation Musician |
| Paulinho Da Costa | ... African Musician |
| Nana Yaw Asiedu | ... African Musician |
| Clarence Avant | ... African Musician |
| Bayo Martin | ... African Musician |
| Ndugu Chancler | ... African Musician |
| Jeffrey Kwashi | ... African Musician |
| Pete Munzhi | ... African Musician |
| Aniijia Rae Schockley | ... African Musician |