Julia | Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave | The Lillian Hellman/Muriel Gardiner Contraversy

Julia | Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave | Great Acting by Great Actors

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Julia

	Julia Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave 20th Century Fox, 1993 average customer review:based on 40 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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

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The Lillian Hellman/Muriel Gardiner Contraversy

Decades had passed before it was known that Hellman hoodwinked the literary public with her story of Julia in 1974. It is now known that the actual 'Julia' was a political activist named Muriel Gardiner. Hellman never knew Gardiner, nor did Hellman smuggle money into Germany, or look for Julia's missing child during the war. Visa documents state that Hellman was in Spain for the 3 year period that the Julia story was supposed to have happened. It is believed that Hellman heard about the original story of Gardiner from their mutual attorney in New York, who told Hellman about his remarkable client who smuggled money and passports into Germany to buy political prisioners their freedom at the onset of the war. Hellman took the fascinating story of Muriel Gardiner and wove it into her own false 'recollection' of the events and thus wrote 'Pentimento' as her own memiors, which of course was primarily a contrivence and fabrication. Many notable writers considered Hellman a fraud and liar, and this is but another account of her deception and incredulity. If you want to know the REAL story of "Julia" get a copy of Gardiner's autobiography 'Code Name Mary'. I got my copy through Amazon.
Although Hellman's account of 'Julia' is mostly fiction held together with a few threads of truth, it is still a fascinating story and a beautifully made film. Fonda is utterly marvelous...it is one of her best works. In fact, the film 'Julia' is one of my top 3 all time favorites. You need to see the movie and then get the book "Code Name Mary" and decide for yourself!

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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.

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. Beth

"Julia"--a WWII movie

This is a different sort of WWII movie. It is not about battles, but a story of two women civilians. It is not hard to follow and it is quite suspenseful.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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