The young Lillian and the young Julia, daughter of a wealthy family being brought up by her grandparents in the U.S., enjoy a childhood together and an extremely close relationship in late adolescence. Later, while medical-student/physician Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) attends Oxford and the University of Vienna and studies with such luminaries as Sigmund Freud, Lillian (Jane Fonda) suffers through revisions of her play with her mentor and sometime lover, Dashiell Hammett (Jason Robards) at a New England beachhouse.

After becoming a celebrated playwright, Lillian is invited to a writers' conference in Russia. Julia, having taken on the battle against Nazism, enlists Lillian en route to smuggle money through Nazi Germany which will assist in the anti-Nazi cause. It is a dangerous mission, especially for a Jewish intellectual on her way to Russia.

During a brief meeting with Julia on this trip, Lillian learns that her friend has a child named Lily, living with a baker in Alsace. Shortly after her return to the United States, Lillian is informed of Julia's murder. The details of her death are shrouded in secrecy. Lillian unsuccessfully looks for Julia's child in Alsace and also discovers that Julia's family wants nothing to do with the child, if she exists, probably for financial reasons.

The film was shot on location in England and France.

• 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
• John Glover - Sammy
• Lisa Pelikan - Julia (younger)

Julia features the first film performances of Meryl Streep and Lisa Pelikan.

Julia won Academy Awards for:

• Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jason Robards);
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Vanessa Redgrave);
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Alvin Sargent)

It was nominated for an Academy Award for:

• Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Maximilian Schell);
• Best Actress in a Leading Role (Jane Fonda);
• Best Cinematography;
• Best Costume Design;
• Best Director;
• Best Film Editing;
• Best Music, Original Score;
• Best Picture.

It also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film.