The Color Purple is a 1985 American drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Menno Meyjes. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. The film tells the story of Celie, a young African-American girl in the early 1900s American South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. Over the course of the film, Celie finds her self-worth through the help of two strong female companions.
The Color Purple was filmed on location in Georgia, taking advantage of the state’s natural beauty and rural landscapes. Keep reading to find out exactly where in Georgia the iconic movie was filmed.
Overview of Filming Locations in Georgia
Principal photography for The Color Purple took place in various small towns and rural areas across central Georgia in 1985. Some of the key filming locations included:
| Location | Where | Scenes Filmed |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | Between Forsyth and Jackson | Cotton field scenes |
| Madison County | Between Athens and Buckhead | Plantation scenes |
| Clayton County | South of Atlanta | Country church scenes |
| Newton County | Between Atlanta and Macon | General rural scenes |
In the sections below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key filming sites used in the production and what scenes were shot there.
Monroe County
Several scenes featuring cotton fields were filmed in rural areas of Monroe County, between the towns of Forsyth and Jackson. The production team filmed in active cotton fields near Route 42, capturing the expansive rows of cotton plants in bloom.
In the film’s opening scenes, young Celie is shown working in the cotton fields. These segments were filmed in Monroe County to capture authentic cotton plantation landscapes. The area’s rolling fields and uninterrupted horizons provided the perfect setting.
Additional cotton field scenes with Celie, Nettie, Mister, and other characters throughout the first act of the film were also filmed in Monroe County.
Madison County
Madison County, located between Athens and Buckhead, served as the primary filming site for the plantation scenes. The Madison County plantation home of Hubert and Dorothy Langley in the rural community of Carwood was used extensively.
In the film, the white columned Langley plantation serves as Mister’s house where Celie and Nettie live and work. Numerous pivotal scenes take place on the grounds, including when Celie reunites with Nettie after years apart.
The production crew made some modifications to the property, but many features like the front porch and gardens appear as they were. Other plantation scenes were filmed in fields and pastures on the same property and surrounding areas.
Clayton County
The small country church in the film where Celie gets married and later reconnects with old friends was actually filmed at the historic New Hope Baptist Church in Clayton County. Built in 1886 by former slaves, the church is located in the community of Halifax just south of Atlanta.
The church was abandoned and dilapidated at the time of filming. Spielberg considered having a church set built from scratch for the scenes. However, upon finding the New Hope Baptist Church, he felt its worn authenticity was perfect for the scenes and had the church fixed up instead.
In addition to the wedding and reunion scenes, the choir rehearsal and performance scenes were also filmed on location at the historic church.
Newton County
A number of important scenes featuring rural homesteads and businesses were filmed in Newton County, located between Atlanta and Macon. The small town of Mansfield served as the primary filming location.
In Mansfield, the roadside general store where Celie shops after moving in with Mister was a lived-in, operational store. Other businesses along the main street were also featured.
Additionally, the ramshackle cabin where Celie lives as a child with her abusive father was filmed in the woods just outside Mansfield. The remote setting and derelict condition of the cabin established the impoverished and isolated nature of Celie’s early life.
Other general scenes of Celie and Nettie walking through the rural landscapes were filmed around Newton County to capture the turn-of-the-century agricultural setting.
Conclusion
Through meticulous site selection across central Georgia, Steven Spielberg was able to create an authentic sense of time and place in The Color Purple without ever shooting a frame in a Hollywood studio. Monroe, Madison, Clayton, and Newton Counties all contributed important regional scenery.
The rolling fields, weathered homes, historic churches, and lived-in towns of these rural Georgia communities provided the backdrop for Celie’s inspirational story to come to life. From cotton fields to country churches, Georgia’s diverse landscapes shaped the look and feel of this beloved American film.
