Julia (1977)

"Julia" and "Lillian" have been best friends since childhood. Even as time has passed, the two have stayed in touch and remained affectionate. The former (Vanessa Redgrave) has found herself in Germany in the 1930s and is determined to do what she can to thwart the rise of the Nazis - or, at least, to help those in their sights to flee. To that end, she contacts her playwright buddy (Lillian Hellman, who wrote the screenplay based on her own book and played here by Jane Fonda) asking her if she could help move a rather large sum of money into the country for her to fund her ever more dangerous activities. What now ensues has Fred Zinnemann direct a train journey that has just about everyone - especially Miss Fonda - on the edge of their seats. Passport checks, customs checks - we know where the money is, but can she make it through? It's this stage of the film that offers us the most jeopardy and is really quite enthralling. Thereafter, it falls a little into melodrama and the intensity diminishes somewhat. That said, though, this sees a convincing effort from Jane Fonda and an engaging supporting one from her neighbour and confidante "Hammett" (Jason Robards). Redgrave actually features quite sparingly - but her scenes do go some way to reminding us of just how brutal and ruthless the regime was - and of how safety was definitely at a premium for any detractors. Georges Delerue has written a score that complements the story well - one which has a powerful degree of authenticity to it at times. The film looks good, there is plenty of attention to the detail of the production design and though it peters out a little at the end, is certainly a truth worth watching.