I was thinking this morning:

What better way to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Purple Rain [the movie and album] than to re-release the movie in major theaters? It would be a wonderful tool to remind people about the major impact Prince has had in the record industry and in our own lives. Would also boost sales, in my opinion [unfortunately giving Warners more money, but perhaps also inducing some to be more curious about Musicology and other work].

Should Purple Rain the movie be re-released in theaters? Why or why not?

Just curious...

Screw it, why not
I'll buy the DVD with bonus footage too

it he were 2 re-release it 2 the cinemas, we would have to wait even longer 4 the DVD 2 come out

Naah, the DVD will do, besides i honestly think it'd tank at the box office.

I hear that it will B Done with new scenes!

Marrk said:

I don't care if it makes less money than graffiti bridge.

...I still wanna see it on a big screen!

Sure why not. A few years back down at the Uptown theater they had a screening of Pruple Rain at midnight. They ran it like they would do the Rocky Horror Picture show and it had a large turn out.

What would be nice is they re-release those singles from the album and the actual album on purple vinyl(limited edition) just like they did in 84'.

I'd love for that to happen. I was 5 when it came out and my Mom wouldn't take me to see it for obvious reasons. But it would be a real treat if that would happen! I'm sure a lot of people would see it again or see it for the first time just to see how incredibly awesome Prince was then (thankfully he still is).

I think it would be a big hit. I wish Movie Companies would re-release classics instead of remaking them.

We have a Purple Rain Sing-A-Long here in San Fran this SUmmer. I doubt it'll be with the new footage though...it's in July and that comes out in August.

I actually disagree with whomever thinks that it wouldn't do well. Purple Rain was a groundbreaking rock movie and for many, it introduced the world to Prince. Because it was loosely based on his life, we get an inside look at how his experiences shaped his music...and partly his behavior. For those fans too young to remember and others too old to forget, I think PR release would be fantastic! Given the current Princemania and interest in him again, along with the concert; announcement that he'll never play hits again; Musicology doing well...perhaps this will help increase sales and hopefully radio and t.v. exposure.

I think it would be the best move for the summer.

superspaceboy said:

How awful.

The plan at the begginning of the year was to do a limited re-release of Purple Rain in select markets to promote the DVD special edition release. I don't know if that plan has changed or not.

I'd give a big "no" to this.

The movie honestly doesn't hold up that well. Unless you're a real affectionate P fan, all the non-performance stuff is pretty hokey. The times have changed, like the song says. Throwing the woman in the garbage -- well, OK, I'd like to see that part on the big screen. But reviewers would rip most of it pretty bad and would by and large be justified.

I don't think it exactly cries out for a theatrical re-release -- let us fans enjoy it at home. It is NOT a classic piece of cinema. Theatrical re-releases are for films like Lawerence of Arabia, Alien, y'know, that still seem as relevant today.

Not trying to be negative, just trying to put the thing in the context it belongs in.

No.

ZAZA2 said:

I am looking forward to it. Should be fun. It's part of a Midnight Mass movie run that shows classic camp/cheese/horror movies Like Showgirls, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, Mommy Dearest, Refom School Girls and Pink Flamingos. It's normally a hoot as everyone usually either heckles the screen or if there are die hard fans, they recite the lines with the movie...very similar to Rocky Horror, but with out live actors.

Well....what we're gonna do here n ATLANTA is get all that would like 2 2gether n mayb watch it somewhere that would allow a BIG group. I rembember when it came out down here n it showed one Saturday nite @ The Fox Theater. I had 2 lie 2 my parents 2 go but I went! N 2 c it on that HUGE screen was something that I'll NEVER 4get!!!! It was one of the BEST times n my life no doubt

They'd only have to show it for a week or two -- that'd be cool. They've done the same with other re-releases (e.g. Grease's 20th anniversary a few years back).

When I was a kid (just turned 14), I was ecstatic to learn that Prince was in a movie called Purple Rain. I told my mom I had to see it. What a surprise to find out that Prince was the movie and did all the songs for it! What an experience. Would love to live it again in a big theatre.

I know, that's what I'm saying. They should at least show it on television if not the movies. What's wrong with that? They did so for the Star Wars Triology 20th anniversary.

We just gone have to start our own Rocky Horror-type gathering or something. Gotta let the Little Man know we appreciate his contribution...

shyt why not? when it was a 10 year thing for dirty dancing in '97 they re-released it even though we had all seen Patrick tell daddy don't put baby in the corner a billion times...

i'd go see purple rain and still buy the dvd, cuz i just love P and his buddies...

a lotta theaters seem to be playin it for midnight matinees right around now--the movie theater i live nearby here in mpls just had a midnight screening of it last weekend, but i didn't go cuz i went to a concert. plus i can't really stand bein in theaters most of the time anyway.

Anotherwontdare said:

This man is correct. The music holds up, but the movie really doesn't.

Anotherwontdare said:

You read my mind.
But let me say it again:

HELL NO! This film has not aged well. The performances kick ass, but the misogyny and chauvinism are repulsive. I cringe now when I watch some parts of this movie and did even when I was a little girl.

Plus, the whole 80s androgny act would fall flat these days and make him more of a joke (despite the ultra-cool motorcycle scenes)

In one word...YES!

Bad idea. Althoughthe performances rock, the movie ain't that great and it would just affirm the idea that Prince is really just an 80's act.

that is such a good idea!!!!!

Still think it's a good idea...if only for nostalgia's sake. The misogyny is there but I never took it seriously, to be honest. All in jest. People are still drawn to the music and the movie is really the icing on the cake. I never heard anyone [even those who aren't really P fans] hate on this movie. People will understand that the 80's were the '80s and it's not the same as now.

laylow03 said:

YES!!!!!

SynthiaRose said:

Get over it!

You know Prince doesn't feel that way towards women...I think the movie fit the song "When Doves Cry"...so crying over the misogyny and chauvinism is just as unreal as the fictional story that was made into a Motion Picture...thus, Purple Rain.

Dang Sharang!

GeSmi1