Purlie (1981): cast, story & where to watch
1981 · Film · ★ 7
Released in 1981, Purlie is a drama and music film directed by Rudi Goldman, running about 142 minutes.
What it’s about. Based on Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious (which was later translated into the 1963 film Gone Are the Days! and which included all of the original Broadway cast, including Ruby Dee, Alan Alda, Beah Richards, and Godfrey Cambridge), Purlie is a musical with a book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell, lyrics by Udell, and music by Gary Geld. It won two Tony Awards and was also nominated for Best Musical. This 1981 television adaptation is directed by Rudi Goldman and stars Broadway cast members Guillaume, Moore, Hemsley, and Hopkins, with Brandon Maggart as Cotchipee, Clarice Taylor as Idilla, and Don Scardino as Charlie. The production won a CableACE Award.
Who’s in it. Purlie stars Robert Guillaume as Purlie, Melba Moore as Lutiebelle, Sherman Hemsley as Gitlow and Linda Hopkins as Sister Hopkins, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Purlie has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Purlie page.
If you liked it. Fans of Purlie tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Purlie (1981)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Purlie change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Purlie worth watching?
- Purlie holds an audience score of 7.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and music. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Purlie?
- Purlie stars Robert Guillaume, Melba Moore, Sherman Hemsley, Linda Hopkins and Rhetta Hughes.
- When was Purlie released?
- Purlie was released in 1981, with a runtime of about 142 minutes.