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Steven Spielberg, even with his legendary career, once admitted he had one big regret about his 1985 classic,The Color Purple. Back then, he was at the top of his game, but there was one bold creative choice he felt too shy to execute. It’s wild to think that even Spielberg—master of the blockbuster—hesitated on something that could’ve made this film even more groundbreaking.
Looking back, he owned up to this missed opportunity, showing that even icons second-guess their choices. Curious what he held back on? Let’s just say it was something that could’ve turned the film’s emotional power up to a whole new level. Spielberg’s honesty about it still hits deep today.
Steven Spielberg’s Regret: Softening The Color Purple’s Bold Moments for a PG-13 Rating
Steven Spielberghadone big regret aboutThe Color Purplethat’s still haunting him today. He confessed to having softened the boldness of Alice Walker’s novel for a PG-13 rating. Instead of portraying the deeply intimate moments as written, Spielberg reduced it to a simple kiss—something he now acknowledges as a missed opportunity. He shared,
There were certain things in the [lesbian] relationship between Shug Avery and Celie that were finely detailed in Alice’s book, that I didn’t feel could get a [PG-13] rating. And I was shy about it.
![The Color Purple (2023) [Credit Warner Bros. Pictures]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/25094600/The-Color-Purple-2023-Credit-Warner-Bros.-Pictures-1024x576.jpeg)
In that sense, perhaps I was the wrong director to acquit some of the more sexually honest encounters between Shug and Celie, because I did soften those. I basically took something that was extremely erotic and very intentional, and I reduced it to a simple kiss. I got a lot of criticism for that.
When Spielberg took onThe Color Purplein 1985, he was already riding high from his major hits likeJawsandE.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. But this film wasn’t about blockbusters; it was his attempt to show a different side—a director who could handle complex, resonant drama.
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Yet, despite his best intentions, critics felt he wasn’t the right person to tell this story, suggesting it needed a Black director to truly do it justice. Spielberg didn’t shy away from this criticism, admitting that his shyness held him back from embracing the full depth of the novel’s characters.
Spielberg’s praise for Alice Walker was unwavering, though. He emphasized that she was supportive throughout the filmmaking, never stepping in to halt his interpretation, even when the adaptation took a more sanitized approach.
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It’s a dynamic that’s almost ironic—a director with Spielberg’s courage holding back on a story that demanded fearlessness. Reflecting on the entire journey, Spielberg owned up to his choices, saying,
Most of the criticism came from directors that felt that we had overlooked them, and that it should have been a black director telling a black story. That was the main criticism. The other criticism was that I had softened the book. I have always copped to that. I made the movie I wanted to make from Alice Walker’s book.
And while Spielberg wouldn’t change it now, he openly questioned if he was the right fit for a film with such raw, untamed energy. That hesitation leaves us wondering—what mightThe Color Purplehave looked like if Spielberg had unleashed his full creative power?
Steven Spielberg’s Favorite Movie of All Time? It’s a 1960s Classic:Lawrence of Arabia!
When the British Film Institute dropped its 2022 list of the ‘Greatest Films of All Time,’ fans were like, wait, what?!Lawrence of Arabiawas MIA from the top 100. This cinematic gem from David Lean had been a heavyweight but seemed to lose some love over the years. Still, guess what? It’s stillSteven Spielberg’s all-time favorite!
At a press conference for the film’s 1988 restoration, Spielberg couldn’t hold back. He was totally blown away by its epic scale—and he insisted that nothing compares to catching it in 70mm. As he put it,
What makes that film unlikely any film that can be made again is that it was done naturally; with the elements of light and sound and maybe the greatest screenplay ever written for the motion picture medium […] It was a miracle.
For Spielberg, it’s pure movie magic. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on a cinematic rite of passage!
WatchThe Color Purpleon Apple TV.
Heena Singh
Editor | Former Senior Writer
Articles Published :1457
Heena Singh is a Editor at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.
