Overview
A gripping tale of friendship and sacrifice unfolds against the backdrop of World War II.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- elegant
- melancholic
- tense
- historical drama night
- classic film viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's craftsmanship, period design, and central performances while finding its formal restraint and Lillian-centered perspective limiting to the friendship at its core.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lillian's perspective organizes the story through recollection of her friendship with Julia and the dangerous mission in Europe.
Julia's effort to fund an anti-Nazi movement turns a private friendship into a political act of resistance.
The production foregrounds European train stations, period costumes, and handsome production design in a deliberately composed style.
Lillian's bond with Julia becomes the basis for trust, sacrifice, and dangerous political responsibility.
Films like Julia, and why
A Special Day
period drama centered on female friendship, political courage, and resistance under fascism
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
historical drama combining intimate relationships with anti-fascist political danger and elegant formalism
The Hours
biographical literary drama about artistic lives, friendship, and political engagement
Movie Details
- Director
- Fred Zinnemann
- Release Date
- 1977-10-01
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (173)
Cast
- Jane Fonda
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Jason Robards
- Maximilian Schell
- Hal Holbrook
- Rosemary Murphy
- Meryl Streep
- Dora Doll
- Elisabeth Mortensen
- John Glover
Common questions
- What is Julia about?
- A celebrated playwright is drawn into a perilous anti-Nazi mission when her estranged childhood friend asks her to carry funds into Germany.
- What is Julia like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Julia as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Julia violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Julia as mild.
- What did critics think of Julia?
- Critics broadly praised the film's craftsmanship, period design, and central performances while finding its formal restraint and Lillian-centered perspective limiting to the friendship at its core.
- Which films are like Julia?
- Films with a similar feel include A Special Day, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, and The Hours.
- How long is Julia?
- Julia runs 117 minutes.
