The Purple Plain (1954)

2nd World War Drama

Set during the bitterly-fought Burma Campaign of World War Two, Gregory Peck stars as Squadron Leader Forrester, a pilot whose life has already been shattered by the loss of his wife during an air raid on London.

Shot down after a dogfight with a Japanese fighter, Forrester finds himself marooned in the hellish Burmese jungle. His navigator is badly injured and his passenger traumatised. Together, the three battle to stay alive and to make it out of the jungle to safety.

Along the way, a chance encounter with a beautiful Burmese girl, Anna, and her friend, Miss Menab, a missionary, changes everything.

Adapted by Eric Ambler from the novel by H. E. Bates, The Purple Plain was filmed on location in the jungles of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for added realism and also boasts a distinguished supporting cast that includes Bernard Lee and Maurice Denham . . .

This was Gregory Peck's second British-made film.

This was produced by John Bryan, who was David Lean's art director on Oliver Twist and Great Expectations.

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“A classy production”
- Radio Times Guide to Films

“A potent crowd-puller”
- Halliwell’s Film Guide

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3 Stars out of 5