At a glance one might not expect to find anything in common between an Anson County cattle farm and the award winning Hollywood film “The Color Purple.” Upon closer examination that common thread is revealed – it’s our very own Dr. LuEllen Huntley.

Focusing on classes centered on language arts and teaching and with a background in composition and literacy studies, Huntley has been teaching at the University of North Carolina Wilmington since 1985.

Huntley’s life and the world of film crossed paths over what she calls “hallowed ground.” This is not the holy ground that accompanies churches and fends off the minions of the night in horror movies, but rather a place of special significance.

“My father worked the land for many years and always returned home safely. To me, that makes that land significant,” Huntley said.

She added, “Any literary work awarded a Pulitzer is also hallowed in some sense.”

“Personally, I know stories about that land long before ‘The Color Purple.’ This land is storied,” Huntley said.

In rural Anson County, N.C., Huntley’s father-a man she says “is a good steward of the land”-owned and operated a large Black Angus cattle farm on what is known as the James Bennett Plantation. It was on a large part of that farm in 1985 that Steven Spielberg chose to film “The Color Purple.”

Before it became part of a film set, the farm was just one of the locations subjected to a selection process. Properties from five states were under consideration by the film’s location agents. The choice was between the James Bennett Plantation in Anson County, N.C. and a farmstead in Tennessee when Spielberg and movie executives visited the farm.

“Once Spielberg and others saw my father’s farm, Tennessee was no longer considered,” Huntley said.

But, how did this hallowed ground manage to charm its way into the selection process? Someone from Hollywood came across pictures of the farm on file in Raleigh when looking for a rural location for a sequel to “Annie.” Years later someone came across the same pictures and from there, one phone call led to another until Huntley’s parents were eventually reached.

Her father, Herman Harry Huntley, was hired by Spielberg to oversee the agricultural features of the farm necessary in the film. Harry Huntley relocated his herd of 350 cattle that served as his livelihood at the time.

“He had to buy more property and lease some as well,” Huntley said.

Huntley’s father, however, was compensated for the use of the farm and the film does give nods to the Huntley family throughout.

“In the film there are allusions to both the land and the owner. For instance, the mailman was named Mr. Huntley, and Huntley Livery was featured in a town scene in the movie,” Huntley said.

Additionally, at the end of the credits a line thanks the Huntley family.

Preparations for on-location filming started shortly after Spielberg’s visit.

“I was there prior to the filming when pastures were burned to prepare for the planting of hundreds of flowers. It was really interesting to see the pastures on fire,” Huntley said.

As for whether Huntley or her father met any of the big-names involved with the film?

“Certainly-most of them, I’m sure. Particularly, my father worked closely with Spielberg in executing his vision as it pertained to the agricultural components of the land,” Huntley said.

Huntley also mentioned that she caught glimpses of Spielberg, but for the most part she stayed out of the way because there were so many people milling about.

And, in case you’re wondering, the James Bennett Plantation still exists today. It’s since been restored.

In July 2007, Huntley was asked to present a lecture at the Newport Public Library in Newport, Oregon about her connection to “The Color Purple.” The presentation entitled, “Transformations Realized: ‘The Color Purple’ as Novel, Film, and Hallowed Ground,” emphasized artistic transformations.