Purlie (1981)
A CableACE Award-winning TV musical about a preacher challenging plantation injustice during the civil rights era, based on Ossie Davis' landmark play.
Purlie - Movie Information
Purlie - Plot
Purlie is a musical based on Ossie Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious. In the early days of the civil rights movement, a Southern plantation owner holds his sharecroppers in virtual slavery. Purlie comes home as a preacher who will shake things up and bring freedom to his people. This 1981 television adaptation won a CableACE Award.
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Purlie - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Rudi Goldman
Main Cast
- Robert Guillaume
- Melba Moore
- Sherman Hemsley
- Linda Hopkins
- Rhetta Hughes
- Brandon Maggart
- Don Scardino
- Clarice Taylor
- Loretta Abbott
- Brenda Braxton
Producers
- Robert R. Thiel
Purlie - FAQs
What is Purlie (1981) about?
Purlie follows a charismatic Black preacher who returns to a Southern plantation during the early civil rights movement, determined to liberate his people from a tyrannical owner who keeps sharecroppers in virtual slavery. Based on Ossie Davis' celebrated 1961 play, it blends rousing musical numbers with a powerful story of dignity and freedom.
Is Purlie based on a true story or a play?
Purlie is adapted from Ossie Davis' acclaimed 1961 stage play Purlie Victorious, which Davis wrote as a sharp, comedic critique of racial segregation in the American South. The 1981 television version draws from the Broadway musical adaptation that opened in 1970, featuring songs by Gary Geld and Peter Udell.
Did Purlie win any awards?
Yes! This 1981 television production earned a CableACE Award, one of the prestigious honors recognizing excellence in cable television programming. It was a notable achievement for an early Showtime production and helped cement the network's reputation for quality dramatic content.
Where can you watch Purlie (1981)?
You can find streaming and viewing options for Purlie on JustWatch, which lists all currently available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your location, so checking JustWatch is the easiest way to find where it's currently streaming or available to rent or buy.
Who stars in Purlie (1981)?
The cast is genuinely impressive. Robert Guillaume leads as Purlie, with Melba Moore as Lutiebelle and Sherman Hemsley — beloved for The Jeffersons — as the comical Gitlow. Linda Hopkins, Rhetta Hughes, Brandon Maggart, Don Scardino, and Clarice Taylor round out a talented ensemble full of Broadway and television veterans.
What role does Sherman Hemsley play in Purlie?
Sherman Hemsley plays Gitlow, a sharecropper who navigates the plantation's racial power dynamics with a mix of humor and survival instinct. It's a fascinating contrast to his iconic George Jefferson role — Hemsley brings real theatrical depth to a character who is both comic and quietly heartbreaking.
How long is Purlie (1981)?
Purlie runs for 2 hours and 22 minutes — a generous runtime that gives the musical's songs, characters, and civil rights themes plenty of room to breathe. For a television production, it's an ambitious length that reflects the scope and ambition of the original Broadway show it's based on.
What are some movies similar to Purlie?
If Purlie resonates with you, explore Cadillac Records (2008) and Mo' Better Blues (1990) for more music-driven stories rooted in Black American culture. Honeydripper (2007) also captures the American South with warmth and soul. For filmed theater in a similar vein, National Theatre Live: Fela! (2011) is a standout pick.
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