IMDb >
Petulia (1968)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsPetulia (1968) More at IMDbPro »
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
10 June 1968 (USA)
more
Tagline:
...the uncommon movie. more
Plot:
An unhappily married socialite finds solace in the company of a recently divorced doctor. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 nominations
more
User Comments:
Beautifully Dated...It Adds to the Film.
more (30 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Julie Christie | ... | Petulia |
 | George C. Scott | ... | Archie |
 | Richard Chamberlain | ... | David |
 | Arthur Hill | ... | Barney |
| Shirley Knight | ... | Polo |
 | Pippa Scott | ... | May |
| Kathleen Widdoes | ... | Wilma |
| Roger Bowen | ... | Warren |
| Richard Dysart | ... | Motel Receptionist |
| Ruth Kobart | ... | Nun |
 | Ellen Geer | ... | Nun |
| Lou Gilbert | ... | Mr. Howard |
| Nate Esformes | ... | Mr. Mendoza (as Nat Esformes) |
| Maria Val | ... | Mrs. Mendoza |
| Vincent Arias | ... | Oliver |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
105 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Austin Pendleton's first film.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: The way Petulia holds Archie's hand in the elevator changes between shots.
more
Quotes:
David Danner:
If I come for you, let me have a flair. Right between the eyes.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope (2004) (V)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (30 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Petulia (1968) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| I Remember Mama | The Men's Club | Dragonwyck | Feast of Love | Then She Found Me |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
"Petulia" is one of the best American films of all time. It should be ranked with "Citizen Kane" and I'm not being sarcastic.
The beauty of the film is how dated it is. Some films that "define" or capture a certain period of time very well often appear very dated later on and lose their effectiveness because of it. But because "Petulia" is so definately set in it's time period, it's like watching a time capsule. There are films which are made today that take place in the late 60's and try for that "mod" feel. But they're removed from that time and therefore can't capture the true feeling of that tumultuous time. "Petulia" captures it beautifully and integrates the 60's experience into it's storyline and structure. For example, when Archie returns from a day out with his sons and returns to his apartment, on TV there is a newscast about Vietnam. It's not overplayed or anything. It's just there as it would have been on any TV in 1968. It's carefully woven into the structure of the film.
Lester has been praised for his editing in this film and it's pretty ingenious. But overall, I found it at times a little too much. There is a LOT of jumping around in time. We learn the story of Petulia and her abusive husband and the little Mexican boy very slowly over the course of the film. It's only in the final moments of the film where we get the gyst of Petulia's neediness and of Archie's as well. I will never forget the final moment where Petulia softly says Archie's name before being putt under gas to have her baby.
A VERY 60's film. Anyone with an interest in the times and how they might've felt should see this film. One of the most underrated films of all time. Lester shows his true genius here. And like the film, he's the most underrated director. Too bad he's not making films anymore.