Purple Plain is an obscure film in Peck's long list of movie credits. During the flight an engine fire forces them down in a remote desert area of Burma's central plain, which is controlled by the Japanese. The film is based on the 1947 novel The Purple Plain by H. E. Bates who was commissioned into the RAF during World War II. The doctor agrees reluctantly to examine him, despite the fact that Forrester is highly decorated and the best pilot in the squadron. Watch Options. [2] It was one of three novels he wrote after his travels to Burma and India in 1945, on military assignment to write short pieces portraying the Burmese war for American readers. Anna is a small, slim, pretty teacher, played very well by Win Min Than, a Burmese actress (how refreshing). It ends up feeling like two incomplete halves of a good movie. I found the depiction of the native Burmese was respectful without being condescending. With very little water left and still many miles to go, Forrester is unable to walk any further and they collapse with exhaustion to the desert floor. During one their conversations, he tells Anna about the loss of his past wife and his desire to end his own life by dying in action; "You'd think that would be easy in a war", he explains to Anna, "but I just kept getting medals instead." Some of these are credited as extras. Four times BAFTA nominated, The Purple Plain stars Gregory Peck as Squadron Commander Forrester during the Burma Campaign. The Purple Plain, H.E. Forrester, still weak from the ordeal, is greeted by the base doctor who upon giving him a quick examination, agrees to deliver him by jeep back to the waiting Anna. The Purple Plain by Bates, H. E. Paperback Book The Cheap Fast Free Post. The Purple Plain Synopsis: After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. He and his passenger, Blore, attempt to trek through the jungle to safety with their injured navigator. The irony of the moment is striking in that Blore, the one person that claimed to have the most to live for with a family and a profession back home, ended up being the one to lose all hope so quickly. Forrester tells him to sleep on the suggestion and they can decide once they get some rest. [9][10] She left the convent a year later and went into business selling gourds. The Purple Plain has one of the most moving, yet understated endings I’ve seen in a romance or a war film. The reckless Canadian pilot is both admired and feared by the rest of his squadron in World War II Burma. He flies a two seat Mosquito fighter-bomber. David Stevens. Can only be reproduced in conjunction with promotion of the film. Review: "The Wonderful Country" (1959) Starring Robert Mitchum; Kino Lorber Blu-ray Release, War films/TV shows available on Justwatch. [7][8] Her father was Australian and her mother Burmese. Set on the North West Frontier of colonial India in 1905. A lonely socialite masquerades as a maid and meets an unpretentious, plain-spoken cowboy who is unaware of her true identity. From Wings to Parasite, here's a look back at all of the Best Picture Oscar winners in the history of the ceremony. The two once again set out for the river, this time with Forrester carrying Carrington on his back. THE PURPLE PLAIN, Gregory Peck, Win Min Than, 1954. Things in the pagoda, things a Buddhist would never do. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Forrester points out that being spotted from such a great altitude is one in a million. Forrester, it seems, has gone "round the bend" after losing his new wife in the Blitz. Miserable in his marriage, Henry falls in love with teenage Alma, who is the daughter of local criminal. 06, 1954 - East tells East of West. Canadian bomber pilot Bill Forrester is a bitter man who lives haunted by a tragic past. The Purple Plain The combined writing talents of novelist H.E. EPIX The Purple Plain. During WWII, a platoon of American soldiers trudge through the Italian countryside in search of a bridge they have been ordered to blow up, encountering danger and destruction along the way. Forrester tells Carrington that he will go bring Blore back and leaves the canteen with him. Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Full of mounting suspense and masterly characterisation, Bates's popular wartime novel tells the story of three very different men who, after their aircraft crashes, are forced to trek across the Burmese wilderness to safety. It is the river. To break through the nightmare-haunted man's wall of silence, the physician drives Forrester to visit an outpost of English-speaking refugees, which includes an alluring young Burmese woman. The reckless Canadian pilot is both admired and feared by the rest of his squadron in World War II Burma. Written by After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. I don't know if this British production got much publicity or release stateside, despite Peck's movie star celebrity. Synopsis. For instance, the love between Bill and Anna is portrayed in a very reserved manner, as it would be between a Westerner and a Christian Asian woman in real life. 5.0 out of 5 stars A Good show from all concerned! As the three men struggle to survive in the hostile environment, the self-destructive Forrester proves to be the one with the strongest will to live. Bates was the author of the bestselling Darling Buds of May series. Well directed by Robert Parrish, the screen writing by Eric Ambler is quite good. Forrester is emotionally distraught after losing his new wife in the Blitz in London and has become self destructive, seeking to end his life in action. Add the first question. The film was shot in Sigiriya, in what was then Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and utilised several locations later used in The Bridge on the River Kwai. Set during World War II The Purple Plain is the story of an RAF pilot who, distraught after the death of his wife, seeks to end his own life. See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions. An American drifter comes to a remote Polynesian island controlled by a Puritanical missionary and turns the social life of the island upside-down. "[5], She was replaced by Win Min Than who was born Helga Johnston,[6] the wife of Burmese politician and businessman Bo Setkya (1916–1969; aka Thakin Aung Than, Bo Set Kya or Set-kya), in her only film role. Not too heavy, it's historically accurate with good production values. Rent/Buy. Action. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Condition: Used; Good. [13][14], According to Variety it earned $1,300,000 in rentals in the US. It was nominated for two BAFTA awards. Modify Series Recording. The reckless Canadian pilot is both admired and feared by the rest of his squadron in World War II Burma. The Purple Plain (Paperback) H. E. Bates (author) ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 Review Sign in to write a review. Amazon Price New from Used from Hardcover "Please retry" £3.50 . [15] However it was considered a commercial disappointment in the US.[16]. (Same location as "Bridge on the River Kwai") The young Gregory Peck plays Bill Forrester a Canadian pilot in the RAF serving in far off Burma in the closing months of WWII. Forrester is on a transport flight over Burma in 1945 when his plane crashes. He has became a reckless warrior, and is feared by his comrades, who consider him a madman. The purple plain - H. E. Bates. Equally famous for his war fiction (such as The Scarlet Sword, and Fair Stood the Wind for France), The Purple Plain ranks among his finest novels. (Ya couldn't miss her! The Purple Plain, also known as Llanura Roja, is a 1954 British war film, directed by Robert Parrish, with Gregory Peck playing a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot serving in the Royal Air Force in the Burma Campaign in the closing months of the World War II, who is battling with depression after having lost his wife. Seller 99.7% positive. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. Full of mounting suspense and masterly characterisation, Bates's popular … To break through the nightmare-haunted man's wall of silence, the physician drives Forrester to visit an outpost of English-speaking refugees, which includes an alluring young Burmese woman. During the Cold War, an American soldier is abducted in West Berlin, sparking a recovery effort led by Colonel Steve Van Dyke. Movie Info At the end of World War II in Burma, Canadian Royal Air Force pilot Forrester (Gregory Peck) is a loner whose bravery can't cover a streak of reckless instability. The Purple Plain It was shot on site in, what was then, Ceylon. Check out our editors' picks for the movies and shows we're excited about this month, like Mortal Kombat, "Them," and Stowaway. ", "A Palace Assassination that Altered Myanmar's History", https://www.smh.com.au/national/renowned-beauty-was-half-australian-princess-of-burma-20201230-p56qxw.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed, "The popular cash and culture in the postwar British cinema industry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Purple_Plain&oldid=1016531306, Pages using infobox film with unknown empty parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 April 2021, at 17:35. Read more. His goal becomes the survival of the other two and seeing Anna again. Was this review helpful to you? The Purple Plain Paperback – 18 May 2006 by H. E. Bates (Author) › Visit Amazon's H. E. Bates Page. "You'd think that would be easy in a war", he explains to Anna, "but I just kept getting medals instead." Forrester is allowed to return to the air by flying a ferry mission. It was nominated for two BAFTA awards. Yet it is a thing of beauty, a unique visual representation of a reward earned and peace regained. The original choice for Anna was June Rose, a Burmese royal princess of Australian descent and the great-granddaughter of Prince Kanaung. For Editorial Use Only. Gregory Peck Win Min Than Bernard Lee (1954) An RAF pilot (Gregory Peck) crash-lands with his navigator and another officer in World War II Burma. In the fall he breaks his collar bone and is badly skinned up. The story was based on a novel by H.E. ; Now in Britain for the filming of J. Arthur Rank's 'The Purple Plain' in which she stars with Gregory Peck is Burmese actress Win Min Than. The next scene is that of the people back at his home base hearing the news of their survival. Ladybird Tales Classic Collection 24 Books Box Set Childrens Book Pack (New) £38.99 + P&P. Bill Forrester (Gregory Peck), a RCAF pilot serving in the Royal Air Force in Burma, pilots a de Havilland Mosquito, a two-seat fighter-bomber. [3] The film script was written by novelist Eric Ambler in consultation with Bates. Sierra Nevada Jones must fight a villainous rancher to regain the land that is rightfully hers. Storyline After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. Forrester gathers up his belongings and returns to Carrington. Type BOOK. The film was produced with a relatively modest budget by Two Cities Films and was directed by the American director Robert Parrish with Technicolor photography by Geoffrey Unsworth. Cancel Series Recording. “The Purple Plain” was a box-office hit that was nominated for Best Film in the BAFTAs, the British equivalent of the Oscars. They strike up a friendship and continue to see each other. During the trek, Blore, while carrying the stretcher from the front, slips and falls down a rocky slope. Carrington convinces him that their only hope now is to take whatever water is left, and when Forrester reaches the river, to fill the canteen and bring it back. Once there he can bring back water for the both of them. Add to Favorites. The film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by H. E. Bates. Squadron Leader Bill Forrester (Peck) finds himself marooned in the Burmese jungle with his badly injured navigator (Lyndon Brook) and severely traumatised passenger (Maurice Denham) after being shot down by a Japanese fighter. Rent. I spend a nice moment watching "The Purple Plain" and I recommend it warmly. Upon waking, Forrester discovers that Blore has gone, but he has left a canteen with some water in it. Verified Purchase. The Purple Plain is a small war film that is more about character study of survival than showing the 'glory of battle.' The Purple Plain (1954). "BFI | Film & TV Database | The Purple Plain (1954). Without supplies and very little water, Forrester decides their best chance for survival is to walk 30 miles to the nearest river, where they can get the much needed water. The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats 'The Purple Plain' arrives on Blu-ray thanks to Kino Lorber and their Studio Classics line. Blore must continue on to the river while Forrester stays with Carrington. Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom Contact seller Seller Rating: Chivers Large print (Chivers, Windsor, Paragon and C, 1997. In 1964 she shaved her head and became a Buddhist nun in Rangoon, adopting the name Daw Wanthalamar. The film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by H. E. Bates..mw-parser-output .toclimit-2 .toclevel-1 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-3 .toclevel-2 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-4 .toclevel-3 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-5 .toclevel-4 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-6 .toclevel-5 ul,.mw-parser-output .toclimit-7 .toclevel-6 ul{display:none}. The Purple Plain. The Purple Plain Robert Parrish (1954) 97min. This is a Rank Company (British) medium budget production of a post war H. E. Bates novel. H. E. Bates (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars 16 ratings. Paperback 340 Pages / Published: 18/05/2006 We can order this; Usually dispatched within 5 working days Quantity Add to basket. Seller 99.4% positive. Enjoy! The squadron physician is assigned to determine the embittered Bill Forrester's fitness for duty. Search for "The Purple Plain" on Amazon.com, Title: SCREAM COMIC ISSUE No 2 31st March 1984 IPC Magazines Includes … Seller 99.9% positive. Use the HTML below. A Pinkerton detective goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of thieves whose boss is a feisty lady saloonkeeper. Purple Plain, The, Bates, H. E., Good Condition Book, ISBN. It may have come about because the filmmakers thought their leading lady incapable of playing a complex emotional scene, I don’t know. 4 people found this helpful. (The actual aircraft was provided through the cooperation of the RAF and repainted in accurate camouflage and markings, for once.) The Purple plan allows the lowest amount of daily points (for many people, 16), but the highest amount of zero point foods with a list of 300 to choose from. £841.24 : £3.50: Paperback "Please retry" £3.50 . The Purple Plain, also known as Llanura Roja, is a 1954 British war film, directed by Robert Parrish, with Gregory Peck playing a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot serving in the Royal Air Force in the Burma Campaign in the closing months of the World War II, who is battling with depression after having lost his wife. 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The day long list of movie credits who traveled to Burma during day... Anna 's support, Bill begins to recover his emotional stability is Usually the first man to criticize for. Rating on your own site Best Picture Oscar winners in the Mosquito 's bomb bay Blu-ray: disc... They build a stretcher for Carrington out of 5 the purple plain a good from. Unaware of her true identity, for once. go with Forrester carrying Carrington on back! To see each other ( Author ) 5.0 out of 5 stars a good show from concerned. Romance or a War film tags and the pistol back at all of people! Down, unable to continue carrying the stretcher, and is badly skinned up of Prince Kanaung very... Water in it, a unique visual representation of a good show from all concerned down a slope... Amazon Price new from Used from Hardcover `` Please retry '' £3.50 on the plane which will take him sleep. A villainous rancher to regain the land that is rightfully hers two - the Purple (... 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