film version alice walkers hugely emotive influential  novel written largely letters central character celie god massive oscar success rightly sobr br in role abused awakened celie whoopi goldberg gave best screen performance miles far behind oprah winfrey sofia fiery woman tamed fate others cast fleshed characters walker introduced clearly page  danny glover albert celies abusive husband margaret avery shug force change good willard pugh rae dawn chong harpo squeak susan beaubian corrine preachers wife muchmissed carl anderson otherwise best known judas  film jesus christ superstar preacher samuelbr br beautifully paced sensitively written the color purple justice source opening story involve viewers featurelength drama