ALICE Walker’s The Color Purple is set in the rural South of the US circa the early 20th century.
For Blitz Bazawule to bring the 2023 period drama to life, the movie’s production was held in several Georgia locations.
Between March and July 2022, The Color Purple was filmed in many areas of Georgia.
Production locations for the Golden Globe-nominated movie include:
Located off of Georgia’s Glynn County coast, The Color Purple was filmed for weeks on Jekyll’s Island.
Many of the musical’s scenes in Africa were shot at Driftwood Beach.
Driftwood’s scenery can mainly be spotted at the movie’s beginning, where viewers are taken through the main character Celie’s childhood years.
“Driftwood Beach can visibly be seen in the opening scenes of the trailer staged to represent Africa,” Jekyll Island Authority’s marketing director Alexa Hawkins revealed to Southern Living.
“The production also built a set along the private residential area that was heavily wooded to represent both Africa and the early years of the main character’s childhood.”
More scenes from Celie’s formative years were filmed at Myrtle Grove in Savannah.
The Grandmother Oak tree featured at both the beginning and end of The Color Purple is located at Myrtle Grove.
Regarding the musical’s production, the historic site’s co-owner Buck Meeks recalled to the abovementioned outlet: “It’s their beginning and ending feature location in the story.
“These two little girls that are growing up together play in and under this oak tree as children, then come back as more elderly adults.
“I think they’re both grandmothers with a giant family reunion and dinner on the grounds.”
Fear the Walking Dead, Glory, and Birth of a Nation were also filmed at Myrtle Grove.
Additional filming locations in Savannah also include the U.S. Customs House and Wormsloe Historical Site.
Reminiscent of the early 20th century, Macon’s historic architecture made the Georgia city the ideal location to shoot The Color Purple.
Production for the musical drama took place at the Capitol Theatre and the Douglass Theater.
Due to the historic scenery of the city, set designers didn’t have to add or reconstruct too much for the film.
Black Widow, Smokey and the Bandit, and a few of The Fast and The Furious movies were also filmed in Macon.
Production was also held in Atlanta; specifically, Inman Park.
Located on the city’s east side, Inman Park was one of the last destinations where filming took place.
Viewers might recognize the area in the background of Celie and Shug Avery’s scenes together.
Jumanji, Neighbors 2, and Zombieland were also shot there.
Alice Walker’s The Color Purple has been adapted twice for the big screen.
Released on December 18, 1985, the first version was produced and directed by Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg’s Color Purple starred Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey.
The drama netted 11 Oscar nominations and grossed over $98 million at the box office.
The cast of Blitz Bazawule’s adaptation is led by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, and Danielle Brooks.
