The film traces the lifelong relationship between playwright Lillian Hellman and Julia, a wealthy girl who turns her back on her upbringing to follow her ideals. In the 1930s, while the adult Hellman (Jane Fonda) struggles to establish herself as a playwright with the help of her lover, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards), Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) battles the exigencies of the Nazi regime. Visiting Julia in Germany, Lillian realizes how much her friend’s idealism has cost her, both physically and financially. Lillian is asked by Julia’s friend Johann (Maximilian Schell) to smuggle a large sum of money from Paris to Germany, the better to combat the Nazis from within. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and four acting awards, Julia won for Alvin Sargent’s screenplay and Robards’ and Redgrave’s performances, leading to Redgrave’s infamous “Zionist hoodlums” acceptance speech. (Hal Erickson – All Movie Guide)
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Cast:
Jane Fonda … Lillian Hellman
Vanessa Redgrave … Julia
Jason Robards … Dashiell Hammett
Maximilian Schell … Johann
Hal Holbrook … Alan Campbell
Rosemary Murphy … Dorothy Parker
Meryl Streep … Anne Marie
Dora Doll … Woman Passenger
Elisabeth Mortensen … Girl Passenger
John Glover … Sammy
Lisa Pelikan … Julia (younger)
Susan Jones … Lillian (younger)
Cathleen Nesbitt … Grandmother
Maurice Denham … Undertaker
Mark Metcalf … Pratt
Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
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1978 | Won | Oscar |
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Jason Robards Jason Robards was not present at the awards ceremony. Maximilian Schell accepted the award on his behalf. |
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Vanessa Redgrave
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Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium Alvin Sargent
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Nominated | Oscar |
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Maximilian Schell
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Best Actress in a Leading Role Jane Fonda
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Best Cinematography Douglas Slocombe
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Best Costume Design Anthea Sylbert
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Best Director Fred Zinnemann
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Best Film Editing Walter Murch Marcel Durham
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Best Music, Original Score Georges Delerue
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Best Picture Richard Roth
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1979 | Won | BAFTA Film Award |
Best Actress Jane Fonda
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Best Cinematography Douglas Slocombe
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Best Film
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Best Screenplay Alvin Sargent
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Nominated | Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music |
Georges Delerue
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BAFTA Film Award |
Best Costume Design Anthea Sylbert Joan Bridge Annalisa Nasalli-Rocca
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Best Direction Fred Zinnemann
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Best Film Editing Walter Murch
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Best Production Design/Art Direction Gene Callahan Willy Holt Carmen Dillon
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Best Supporting Actor Jason Robards
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | Best Cinematography Award |
Douglas Slocombe
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1979 | Nominated | César |
Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger) Fred Zinnemann
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | David |
Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniero) Jane Fonda Tied with Simone Signoret for La vie devant soi (1977). |
European David |
Fred Zinnemann
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Nominated | DGA Award |
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Fred Zinnemann
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | Golden Globe |
Best Motion Picture Actress – Drama Jane Fonda
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Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role Vanessa Redgrave
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Nominated | Golden Globe |
Best Director – Motion Picture Fred Zinnemann
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Best Motion Picture – Drama
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Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role Jason Robards
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Best Motion Picture Actor in a Supporting Role Maximilian Schell
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Best Screenplay – Motion Picture Alvin Sargent
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | Silver Ribbon |
Best Director – Foreign Film (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero) Fred Zinnemann
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | KCFCC Award |
Best Supporting Actor Jason Robards
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Best Supporting Actress Vanessa Redgrave
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1977 | Won | LAFCA Award |
Best Cinematography Douglas Slocombe
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Best Supporting Actor Jason Robards
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Best Supporting Actress Vanessa Redgrave
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1977 | Won | NYFCC Award |
Best Supporting Actor Maximilian Schell
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Year | Result | Award | Category/Recipient(s) |
1978 | Won | WGA Award (Screen) |
Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium Alvin Sargent
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