The Real Life Filming Locations For 'The Color Purple'
Courtesy Georgia Film Office
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The newest film adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning story The Color Purple is coming to theaters on Christmas Day, starring Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks.
The 1985 version of The Color Purple was a groundbreaking film, though it stirred controversy for its raw depiction of the hardships that characters endured. Few that saw the movie could forget the memorable character of Celie, played by Whoopi Goldberg, and the struggles she faced in life from a very young age, but her triumphant spirit conveyed messages of hope and an example of courage.
A 2023 version of the movie, set to open on December 25th, was filmed throughout Georgia. The state has methodically pursued the film industry, offering tax incentives and infrastructure for filming that complements the diverse landscapes available to portray every type of story.
These incredible locations in Georgia helped The Color Purple come to life and hopefully be just as unforgettable as the first adaptation.
Courtesy Visit Macon
Macon, Georgia
Quite a few scenes for The Color Purple were filmed in Macon, though you might not recognize it right away. The town’s historical architecture is reminiscent of the early to mid-1900s, but Hollywood designers added vintage props, signs, and marquees to fully convert the area.
Courtesy Visit Macon
Scenes were filmed at the historic Douglass Theatre along 2nd Street and the iconic Capitol Theater along the corner of Third and Poplar Street and more. Dozens of murals took over downtown storefronts and a gas station was constructed in the park at the corner of Third and Poplar, just for the production. Rumors that Oprah was staying at the Hotel Forty Five flew around town during filming, causing many locals to try for a sighting.
Residents won’t see an end to their superstar sightings anytime soon. News has just broken that Denzel Washington will be filming his Netflix movie The Piano Lesson this January in Macon. The new adaptation of the story will star Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington.
Courtesy Georgia Film Commission
Savannah, Georgia
Just outside of Savannah, co-owner Buck Meeks continuously improves his family property to be camera-ready and easy for film crews to access and work. In fact, the day that we spoke, he took the call from a dump truck that he was using to smooth roads and parking areas.
His efforts paid off. The 1989 film Glory was filmed on the land and the old house, as was 2016’s Birth of a Nation, Sony Picture’s Underground, various Amazon feature films and Fear The Walking Dead.
For The Color Purple, scenes focused around the Grandmother Oak, an ancient live oak tree with giant moss-laden limbs circling the trunk.
"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,” Meek notes.
That’s a great choice of locations, two grandmothers celebrating a life of hardship and triumph under a live oak, coincidentally named the Grandmother Oak. Other places in Savannah helped bring the scenes to life, like Wormsloe Historical Site and the U.S. Customs House.
Courtesy Jekyll Island Authority
Jekyll Island
If you’ve ever been to Jekyll, chances are you’ve visited Driftwood Beach to see the gnarled and bent coastal maritime forest turned into driftwood by the sea. It’s a popular spot for weddings and tourists, showing up in countless vacation photos online. The producers of The Color Purple also put the location to good use.
"Driftwood Beach can visibly be seen in the opening scenes of the trailer staged to represent Africa. 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. All of those ‘early year’ homes were staged on this road,” says Alexa Hawkins, director of marketing and communications for the Jekyll Island Authority.
Georgia Film Commission
For two weeks, the production was on the island filming, taking care to minimize their impact on residents, visitors, and the environment. In fact, the care for the area used for the film was mentioned by more than one location, making The Color Purple a welcome visitor to each area.
Atlanta
Will Pickerel, vice president of communications for Inman Park, knows that his area is a popular destination for the movie industry.
"Inman Park is a historic neighborhood in Atlanta with a diverse range of architectural styles. Many homes date back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. It is full of beautiful, walkable tree lined roads and, like a lot of neighborhoods in Atlanta, has ample green space,” Pickerel says.
A notice was sent to residents in 2022 that filming was to take place. The official word is that one of the private residences on Edgewood Avenue will be in the movie. See if you can spot it!
From historic districts to the beaches, Georgia has been popping up in films everywhere. Residents are proud of their film industry, and interested in supporting and catching a glimpse of familiar spots around town. It’s amazing to see movie magic transform locations to make stories. 2024 should bring more exciting movies to the state, exposing the South to viewers across the world.
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