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Starring: Jane Fonda,  Vanessa Redgrave,  Jason Robards,  Maximilian Schell,  Hal Holbrook, 
Directed By: Fred Zinnemann, 
Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Release Date: 1977
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  Widescreen,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Julia

Description
Based on a story from Lillian Hellman's best-seller, "Pentimento." Hellman (Jane Fonda) recalls her lifelong relationship with the fiercely independent and politically minded Julia (Venessa Redgrave). Born to great wealth, Julia devotes her life to political causes fighting fascism in the 1930's. While Hellman is travelling in Europe, she is approached by one of Julia's political friends (Maximilian Schell) and is swept into Julia's world, smuggling money across hostile borders. Featuring Meryl Streep in her film debut, Julia won three 1977 Academy Awards®, including Vanessa Redgrave as Best Supporting Actress, Jason Robards as Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay Adaptation.

Amazon.com essential video
Part of the late-'70s wave of films about strong women (as if none had existed before that), Julia starred Jane Fonda as writer Lillian Hellman in a story based on some of Hellman's own writings. The stronger woman here is the title character (Vanessa Redgrave), a socially active young woman who teaches Hellman the importance of sticking to her beliefs--even in the face of Nazi terror. The subplot focuses on Hellman's growth as a writer, under the supportive wing of lover Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards). Lushly photographed by Fred Zinnemann, it's one of the few films that projects a sense of how a writer writes; it also was unafraid to explore the dark consequences of conscience, when Resistance-fighter Julia is captured by the Germans. Robards and Redgrave both won Oscars (leading to Redgrave's Zionist hoodlums acceptance speech). Watch for Meryl Streep in a tiny role in her film debut. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews for Julia

Lillian and Julia
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake

JULIA (1977) is a great movie, beautifully adapted from Lillian Hellman's story by Alvin Sargent, exquisitely directed by Fred Zinnemann and boasting a cast of fine actors, including Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, Maximilian Schell, Rosemary Murphy and, in her film debut, Meryl Streep.

The picture earned eleven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Redgrave, Robards and Sargent won their statuettes.

Fonda plays Hellman, who in the early 1930s was an angry, struggling wannabe playwright, living with mystery writer Dashiell Hammett (Robards). With success still eluding her, she travels to Europe, hoping to find a better atmosphere in which to write, and also to visit with her oldest and dearest friend, Julia (Redgrave), daughter of a very wealthy family, who is studying medicine in Vienna.

Julia is also involved in an anti-Fascist/anti-Nazi movement, which has resulted in her being badly injured. In fact, after Hellman visits her in the hospital, she disappears.

Years later, after she has become a Broadway success, Lillian is asked by Julia, via a political acquaintance (Schell), to undertake a dangerous clandestine mission against the Nazis.

Though much of it may be fiction, JULIA is a gripping, moving, often suspenseful drama that stays with viewers long after it has ended. It's one of this writer's very favorite films.

- Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008)Julia

Not too dated
Lushly photographed, you can watch this just for the gorgeous scenes in pre-war Paris and Berlin. Supposedly about two strong women, Jane Fonda's role as Hellman makes her out to be a bit of a klutz. Vanessa Redgrave's brief appearances mark the stronger of the two. Made in 1977 when WW2 was closer in time than Vietnam is now, the movie is a bit of a relic, but still worth watching. Jason Robards as Dashiell Hammett is a hoot. Fonda needed acting lessons then, just like now. Too much emoting for my taste.Julia

I don't understand all the hype over this
Another case of when I side with the minority. I didn't get through it. Decided I had much better ways to spend my time. The only thing I really enjoyed was Meryl Streep's bit. I don't whether she resurfaced later in the film but I guess I'll never know now.Julia

Amazing motion picture!
Julia is simply a perfect movie. Jane Fonda's performance is one of her very best. And Fred Zinnemann's direction is flawless. Alvin Sargent's screenplay movements between past and present and from present to future are so smooth and fascinating. Just a brilliant movie all around. BethJulia

Great Acting by Great Actors
Regrave and Fonda both get knocked because of their political views, but get over it and see this little gem if you haven't. The film showcases what great actors they both are; really a neglected classic American film.Julia

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