Customer Reviews

Purlie Victorious

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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)

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'!

This movie reminds me how much I love Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis. They really do compliment each other with their acting as well as their relationship. She was the Ying to his Yang.

The dvd of Purlie Victorious was like being at the play again forty years latter. The quility was very good. I am glad I took the chance.

Purlie Victorious stars screenplay author Ossie Davis as a preacher who comes back home to scheme five hundred dollars away from ol' Massa Cotchipee (Sorrell Booke of Dukes Of Hazard) so he can start his own church. He gets an assist from Cotchipee's liberal son, Alan Alda in his plan to free his people through the word of the Lord. It may not sound funny but this is a great comedy.
The DVD is crisp and almost perfectly dustless.

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.

Very good movie of Purlie Victorious.I am looking forward to having the 1981 musical version of Purlie on DVD when it comes out.

Actually, I have yet to see a live version with Ossie & Ruby but read the play years ago. I can't wait to see it realized especially with the original author, Ossie Davis, playing Purlie. I did see a version with Melba Moore playing Lutiebelle which was quite good - but Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee are, in my humble opinion, the quintessential First Couple in African-American theatre - any chance to see them perform together is always a treat. Even as a read, the play is quite hilarious and it works all the more imagining such talent as Ossie & Ruby realizing the roles. As a matter of fact, I read "Purlie Victorious" and 'Day of Absence" by Douglas Turner Ward, another excellent example of black theatre, together - they complement each other quite well as shining examples of black comedy satirizing existing racial attitudes then (hmmmm..and now..) The play is timeless, is not at ALL archaic by todays standards as many of the same issues tackled in Purlie as well as Day of Absence still exist, alas, in 2007.

But on a lighter note, owning a copy of "Purlie Victorious" performed by its auspicious author, the incomparable Ossie Davis, is simply a must for your collection.

I saw this on BET Movies, when they played movies you would not find anywhere else (I saw Putney Swope there as well, and this was when there was about 80 channels on cable. Now with 300, there is still no channel like this to find). This is a play/movie that stands the test of time, and showed Ossie's intelligence and endearance (new word) from the beginning of his theatrical career. Showed depth in most of the characters (the Cap'n was one-dimensional. How's that for groundbreaking), and the comedy is perfectly aimed. Loved this movie from the first time I saw it, and like stated before, a movie I'll be proud to provide to my kids for their enjoyment. Recommended to all!

Had a wonderful time seeing the icons in their prime. alan alda is in this one too he looks 15