Julia (1977)

74% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(2,356 ratings)

The film traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and Julia, a wealthy girl who turns her back on her upbringing to follow her ideals. In the 1930s, while the adult Hellman (Jane Fonda) struggles to establish herself as a playwright with the help of her lover, Dashiell… More The film traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and Julia, a wealthy girl who turns her back on her upbringing to follow her ideals. In the 1930s, while the adult Hellman (Jane Fonda) struggles to establish herself as a playwright with the help of her lover, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) battles the exigencies of the Nazi regime. Visiting Julia in Germany, Lillian realizes how much her friend's idealism has cost her, both physically and financially. Lillian is asked by Julia's friend Johann (Maximilian Schell) to smuggle a large sum of money from Paris to Germany, the better to combat the Nazis from within. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and four acting awards, Julia won for Alvin Sargent's screenplay and Robards' and Redgrave's performances, leading to Redgrave's infamous "Zionist hoodlums" acceptance speech. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Fred Zinnemann
Written By: Alvin Sargent, Lillian Hellman
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 20, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Feb 7, 2006

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's all in such good taste that it's downright stupefying.
Variety Staff, Variety
The period environment, brilliantly recreated in production design, costuming and color processing, complements the topflight performances and direction.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie looks soft, which has nothing to do with the Hellman flintiness, guts, self-mockery, wisdom, above all, impatience with cant.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie's problems start with its point of view, and it never quite recovers from them.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Beautifully crafted, nominated for nine Academy Awards, a big hit at the box office -- and a dramatic dud.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
The film has star appeal and gossip appeal, and the disc's soundtrack makes viewing it worthwhile, but sometimes you want to reach through the screen, reach through characters, reach through the words, reach through every layer of artistic endeavor, and s
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Hansomely mounted but superficially written, Julia lacks dramatic focus, reflecting confusion as to what exactly Lillian Hellman's memory text is about, but the actresses, especially Vanessa Redgrave, are fascinating
, Time Out
Lillian Hellman's tight autobiographical story about memory and friendship gets the full Zinnemann gloss-wash.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
An understatedly suspenseful drama with both Fonda and Redgrave giving impassioned performances.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Fascinating, well structured drama with Fonda and Redgrave at their best.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Powerful story with superb performances.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Julia gives us a genuine and affecting portrait of a friendship between two women who confirm each other and strengthen their bonds over the years.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

Had a hard time staying with the film, but it was pretty good.
jay n

How much is fact and how much fiction is questionable but with storytelling and acting this good it doesn't really matter. Everyone is exceptionally good but Vanessa Redgrave is great, along with Julie Christie one of the greatest actresses living today.
Byron B

I expected Jane Fonda and Jason Robards to be great. I had really come to like them as I worked through my Oscar list. Maybe the topic just went over my head, maybe it was too literary, I just remember I was bored and didn't get it.

Cast

            Jane Fonda as Lillian Hellman

            Vanessa Redgrave as Julia

            Jason Robards as Dashiell Hammett

            Maximilian Schell as Johann

            Hal Holbrook as Alan Campbell

            Rosemary Murphy as Dorothy Parker

            Meryl Streep as Anne Marie

            Dora Doll as Train Passenger

            Elisabeth Mortensen as Train Passenger

            John Glover as Sammy

            Lisa Pelikan as Young Julia

            Susan Jones as Young Lillian

            Cathleen Nesbitt as Grandmother

            Maurice Denham as Undertaker

            Gerard Buhr as Passport Officer

            Christian de Tilière as Paris Concierge

            Stefan Gryff as Hamlet

            Mark Metcalf as Pratt

            Ann Queensbury as Woman in Berlin Station

            Shane Rimmer as Customs Officer New York Port Authority

            Jacqueline Staup as Woman in Green Hat

            Molly Urquhart as Woman

            Hans Verner as Vienna Concierge

            Edmond Bernard as Man in Berlin Station

            Antony Carrick as Butler

            Don Koll as First-Nighter at Sardi's
See full cast