Júlia (1977)

At the behest of an old and dear friend, playwright Lillian Hellman undertakes a dangerous mission to smuggle funds into Nazi Germany.

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Writers:

Lillian Hellman (based upon the story by), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:

Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, Jason Robards

Won 3 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jane Fonda	...	Lillian
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Julia
Jason Robards	...	Hammett
Maximilian Schell	...	Johann
Hal Holbrook	...	Alan
Rosemary Murphy	...	Dottie
Meryl Streep	...	Anne Marie
Dora Doll	...	Woman Passenger
Elisabeth Mortensen	...	Girl Passenger
John Glover	...	Sammy
Lisa Pelikan	...	Young Julia
Susan Jones	...	Young Lillian
Cathleen Nesbitt	...	Grandmother
Maurice Denham	...	Undertaker
Mark Metcalf	...	Pratt

Storyline

This Oscar-winning drama, based on the writing of Lillian Hellman, depicts the relationship between two friends and its unexpected consequences. After Lillian, a renowned playwright, reunites in Russia with her childhood playmate Julia, 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, who is unaware of her dangerous assignment.

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Plot Keywords:

typewriter | flashback | wounded | hospital | train station | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true story.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German Russian

Release Date:

30 March 1978 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Júlia

Filming Locations:

Winterton on Sea , Norfolk , England

Box Office

Budget:

$7,840,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$20,714,400

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,714,400

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the casting process, both Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave's names were mentioned as possible stars for the film. The producers initially vetoed both actresses on the advice of the publicity department, fearing that the absolute worst option would be to cast Fonda and Redgrave, both of whom were known for their outspoken political beliefs, in a film together. In the end, of course, both actresses were cast and the film went on to great critical and box office success.

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Goofs

June 1934 began on a Friday, not a Monday.

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Quotes

Sammy: You're always so tough on Anne Marie. What did she ever do to you? She's really warm and passionate. Ask me? I know! By the way, she saw your old friend Julia .
Lillian: Where?
Sammy: In Vienna. She's turned into a wild Socialist - giving away all her money.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Jane Fonda/Orson Bean/Skip Stephenson/Dr. Michael Fox (1977)

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Soundtracks

G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald, op. 325 (Tales of the Vienna Woods)
(1868) (uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Waltz played at a hotel

User Reviews

the gathering storm of Nazism

Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave continued their streak of formidable roles with "Julia". Lillian Hellman (Jane Fonda) was childhood friends with affluent Julia (Vanessa Redgrave). Julia has since abandoned her wealth and devoted her life to fighting Fascism. She is currently helping the resistance movements in Europe. Lillian decides to bring some American currency to help Julia in her struggles. While in Europe, she can certainly see the imprint of Nazism.

This movie does a masterful job not only showing the takeover by the Nazis, but it also puts some other things in perspective. Since I saw it a few days before the US invaded Iraq, I got the feeling of a similarity in that way. Maybe the fact that someone in my dormitory was playing a somber song on the piano (it may have been the "Schindler's List" theme music) also contributed to that. But either way, the perfect direction, script, cinematography, and performances by Fonda and Redgrave, plus Jason Robards Jr as Dashiell Hammett and Maximilian Schell as Julia's friend Johann, make this a perfect movie.