Julia

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Julia

PG,

1977,

1h 56m,

Drama

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Watchlist

75%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This Oscar-winning drama, based on the writing of Lillian Hellman, depicts the relationship between two friends and its unexpected consequences. After Lillian (Jane Fonda), a renowned playwright, reunites in Russia with her childhood playmate Julia (Vanessa Redgrave), the writer is recruited to smuggle funds into Germany to aid the anti-Nazi movement. Waiting in the wings is Lillian's lover and mentor, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), who is unaware of her dangerous assignment.

Critics Consensus

Julia is a handsomely crafted and stirringly performed meditation on friendship and political activism, although its tasteful formalism often undercuts the multifaceted passion of these historical figures.

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

May 9, 2017

The crucial problem is that there's so little sense of urgency about anything the filmmakers do.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Nov 1, 2007

It's all in such good taste that it's downright stupefying.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Nov 1, 2007

The period environment, brilliantly recreated in production design, costuming and color processing, complements the topflight performances and direction.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jul 5, 2026

3/4

How curious that in a movie titled Julia, the least interesting character would be … Julia.

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Stephen Schiff

Boston Phoenix

Oct 8, 2021

Engrossing, moving and well-crafted, the film takes risks without flaunting them and, despite its Major Motion Picture stodginess, succeeds in expanding what's permissible in big-budget Hollywood product.

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Elizabeth Wilson

Spare Rib

Sep 22, 2021

It would have been difficult for any director to dramatise this relationship effectively and perhaps we should applaud [director Fred Zinnemann] for trying before we criticise him for failing.

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Draco R

Nov 24, 2018

I saw this movie in 1977, and loved it. Watching it now, I caught several flaws, but I still love it. Vanessa deserved her Oscar.

George G

Jan 4, 2018

Still hardly understand :(

Harry W

Aug 25, 2017

Slow moving, boring plot, could barely stay focused because of how bored I was.

Poe S

Aug 22, 2017

decent picture but why Redgrave won an Oscar is bewildering - she has so few scenes and none strike me as, well, striking! Must have been a dearth of Supporting Actress roles that year

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Anakin S

Jun 24, 2017

Deeply affecting and utterly brilliant, Fred Zinnermann's Julia makes use of every opportunity to engage audiences in a story of mystery and friendship. Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave light up the screen with phenomenal performances. This is a masterpiece!

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Ron P

Apr 14, 2017

If you look very closely, you might see hints of what they call "slow cinema," mastered by Bela Tarr and formulated by Chantal Akerman. This is a masterpiece, for sure. Went in with low expectations and came out shocked of how utterly fantastic this movie is. Penultimate film by Day of the Jackal helmet Fred Zinnemann.

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Fred Zinnemann

Director

Jane Fonda

Lillian

Vanessa Redgrave

Julia

Jason Robards

Hammett

Maximilian Schell

Johann

Hal Holbrook

Alan

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Synopsis

This Oscar-winning drama, based on the writing of Lillian Hellman, depicts the relationship between two friends and its unexpected consequences. After Lillian (Jane Fonda), a renowned playwright, reunites in Russia with her childhood playmate Julia (Vanessa Redgrave), the writer is recruited to smuggle funds into Germany to aid the anti-Nazi movement. Waiting in the wings is Lillian's lover and mentor, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), who is unaware of her dangerous assignment.

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Producer: Richard Roth
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 1977, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2016
Runtime: 1h 56m

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