A young, idealistic man returns home to the plantation where he grew up in servitude. With him, he brings his fiance, Lutiebelle, in hopes of convincing the plantation owner that she is really his cousin in order to secure the family inheritance. To aid in the comic complications that follow are his family members Missy and Gitlow, and the plantation owners endearing (but ineffectual) son Charlie.
Ossie Davis
as Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson
Ruby Dee
as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Godfrey Cambridge
as Gitlow Judson
Hilda Haynes
as Missy Judson
Beah Richards
as Idella Landy
Alan Alda
as Charlie Cotchipee
Sorrell Booke
as Ol' Cap', Stonewall Jackson Cotchipee
