- Hamlet (1996)There are many things wrong with Kenneth Branagh’s galumphing slab of actor-manager Shakespeare, but Christie as Gertrude is not one of them. Her casting might have been conducive to the Oedipal side of the Danish prince’s feelings towards his mother – if only the director’s bombastic performance had allowed room for it.19. Young Cassidy (1965)View image in fullscreenGoing full begorra … Christie as Daisy Battles and Rod Taylor as John Cassidy.Photograph: Everett/ShutterstockA mostly non-Irish cast goes full begorra in this Sean O’Casey biopic, with Christie in a brief but eye-catching turn as a sex worker called Daisy Battles. Jack Cardiff took over directing duties when John Ford fell ill; the results are rambling, but the anti-British riot scenes are ace.18. The Railway Station Man (1992)Irish accents again, as Christie reunites with her Don’t Look Now co-starDonald Sutherlandin 1980s Donegal, playing the widow Helen Cuffe, whose husband was accidentally murdered by the IRA. The pair’s old chemistry is still there, and the landscape is splendid. But, alas, when it comes to the men in her life, this unfortunate woman has the worst luck ever.17. The Return of the Soldier (1982)Three nicely calibrated female performances keep this tasteful adaptation of Rebecca West’s 1918 novel afloat. Christie plays a narrow-minded snob who is outraged when her husband (Alan Bates) returns traumatised from the first world war and fails to recognise her, but reconnects instead with a working-class sweetheart (Glenda Jackson) from his youth; Ann-Margret is wonderful as a compassionate cousin.16. Far From the Madding Crowd (1967)View image in fullscreenAll fringe and mascara … in the Thomas Hardy classic.Photograph: MGM/Studiocanal/AllstarThis is must for anyone studying English literature, though Christie’s wilful heroine, all fringe and mascara, smacks more of swinging 60s London than of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex; Terence Stamp, Christie’s former off-screen boyfriend, sports a Sgt Pepper moustache as Sgt Troy. The best bit is when Alan Bates’s sheep fall off a cliff.15. Darling (1965)John Schlesinger’s film about the rise of a good-looking but shallow playgirl epitomises all that was good-looking but shallow about the British new wave. Christie won an Oscar for looking fabulous; Frederic Raphael’s misogynistic screenplay also won an Oscar, but now feels suspiciously like a petty act of revenge on some unknown woman who was once mean to him.14. Doctor Zhivago (1965)View image in fullscreenMore Chelsea socialite than Slavic muse … Christie with Omar Sharif in Doctor Zhivago.Photograph: Mgm/Sportsphoto/AllstarThe romance between Omar Sharif as Zhivago and Christie as Lara is the least convincing thing about David Lean’s spectacular epic, set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, butshot in sunny Spain. Once again, anachronistic hair and makeup make Christie look more like a Chelsea socialite than a Slavic muse, but it was the box office double whammy of this and Darling, in the same year, that cemented her status as an international star.13. Heaven Can Wait (1978)The third of Christie’s collaborations withWarren Beattyis a breezy remake of Here Comes Mr Jordan (1941), with Beatty co-directing himself as a Los Angeles quarterback temporarily returned to Earth in the body of a murdered industrialist. Christie plays the earnest eco-activist who wins his heart.12. Heat and Dust (1983)Ruth Prawer Jhabvala adapted her own Booker-winning novel for the Merchant Ivory team’s first big success, part of a 1980s British fad for all things Raj. Christie (born in Assam, north-eastern India) plays an English woman visiting India, but her exploits in the present day are less compelling than the flashbacks to her great-aunt (Greta Scacchi) in the 1920s.11. Demon Seed (1977)View image in fullscreenUncomfortably prescient …. in Donald Cammell’s sci-fi thriller.Photograph: United Archives GmbH/AlamyCritics were aghast at the idea of an A-list actor playing a woman forcibly impregnated by a computer in a genre film they considered “silly”. But Donald Cammell’s sci-fi thriller couldn’t be more pertinent to 2025, with its themes of domestic abuse and overreaching AI. Christie – rightly – gives it her all.10. Finding Neverland (2004)Christie plays the disapproving mother of widowed Kate Winslet, whose sons inspire JM Barrie (Johnny Depp) to write Peter Pan in this weepie biopic. It’s not mentioned here, of course, but Christie’s character, who mellows as the film goes on, will soon be grandmother to Daphne du Maurier, who wrote Don’t Look Now.9. Afterglow (1997)Two couples in Montreal swap partners in Alan Rudolph’s stilted sex comedy. Whenever Christie is working her magic on screen as the unhappy wife of handyman Nick Nolte, she makes you forget the contrived situations and clunky dialogue, and sweeps you up into a sublime, deservedly Oscar-nominated performance.8. The Go-Between (1971)View image in fullscreenQuietly devastating … Christie and Alan Bates relaxing on the set of The Go-Between.Photograph: Everett Collection Inc/AlamyA 12-year-old boy, spending the summer at a school friend’s country house, is cajoled into carrying secret messages between his chum’s older sister (Christie) and a tenant farmer (Alan Bates). After looking distractingly modern in other lit-flicks such as Doctor Zhivago, Christie is perfectly credible as an Edwardian aristocrat in Joseph Losey’s quietly devastating film adaptation of LP Hartley’s novel, scripted by Harold Pinter.7. Away From Her (2006)Sarah Polley’s directing debut, adapted from a story by Alice Munro, gives Christie the best late role of her career, as a married woman showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. She checks into a nursing home, but her husband wonders if she’s exaggerating her memory loss as revenge for his past infidelities. Ambiguous to the end, Christie makes it about more than just dementia, and earned a fourth Oscar nomination.6. Shampoo (1975)In the real-life ex-couple’s second film together, Beatty plays a philandering Beverly Hills hairdresser who still carries a torch for his former girlfriend. Hal Ashby’s satire, set on the eve of Nixon’s 1968 election victory, now seems more sad than funny, but Christie, rocking a backless black sequined Jean Varon gown, is a hoot as she drunkenly tries to fellate her ex at a posh dinner party.5. Fahrenheit 451 (1966)View image in fullscreenAlso worryingly prescient … in the retro-futurist adaptation of Fahrenheit 451.Photograph: Anglo Enterprises/AllstarThe current American trend of banning books makes François Truffaut’s charmingly retro-futurist film of Ray Bradbury’s novel feel like a wake-up call. Oskar Werner is a colourless leading man, but Christie makes up for it in her dual roles as his hilariously conformist wife and a rebellious neighbour who asks: “Do you ever read the books you burn?”4. Billy Liar (1963)John Schlesinger’s film of Keith Waterhouse’s novel leavens its social realism (shot on the streets of Bradford!) with the fantasies of Billy (Tom Courtenay). In her breakthrough performance, Christie radiates liberation and natural glamour, but miraculously makes Liz not just a dream girl but a fully realised character. She’s the girl next door – if the girl next door were a stunner.3. Petulia (1968)Christie dials up the kooky as an unhappily married woman who attaches herself to a San Francisco surgeon played by George C Scott. The drama starts off frothy but becomes progressively downbeat, until you belatedly realise you’re watching a tragedy, nudged along by nonlinear inserts now considered more typical of the film’s cinematographer, Nicolas Roeg (and editor Antony Gibbs), than its director, Richard Lester.2. Don’t Look Now (1973)Nonlinear inserts abound in Roeg’s haunting kaleidoscope of a chiller that is also a heartbreaking portrait of a marriage under stress. Christie and Sutherland play bereaved parents who relocate to Venice, where a blind clairvoyant claims to be in contact with their dead daughter. The wife accepts what she can’t see, while the husband’s scepticism blinds him to the truth until it’s too late.1. McCabe & Mrs Miller (1971)View image in fullscreenPeak Christie … as a cockney brothel-keeper in McCabe & Mrs Miller.Photograph: Warner Bros/Kobal/ShutterstockChristie came up with most of her own dialogue as the cockney brothel-keeper in Robert Altman’s melancholy revisionist western, set in a muddy mining town. Whether she’s tucking into fried eggs, striving to keep her relationship with McCabe (Beatty) on a business footing, or drifting away in an opium daze, this is peak Christie, and one of the funniest, saddest love stories ever filmed.
Julie Christie at 85: her 20 best films – ranked!
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Celebrating Julie Christie: A Look at Her 20 Most Notable Films"
The Guardian
8.4
Original Article Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/17/julie-christie-at-85-her-20-best-films-ranked
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AI Analysis Average Score:
8.4
These scores (0-10 scale) are generated by Truthlens AI's analysis, assessing the article's objectivity, accuracy, and transparency. Higher scores indicate better alignment with journalistic standards. Hover over chart points for metric details.
TruthLens AI Summary
At 85, Julie Christie remains a celebrated figure in cinema, with a career spanning several decades and encompassing a diverse array of roles. Her filmography showcases a remarkable versatility, evident in her performances ranging from the tragic and dramatic to the light-hearted and comedic. In Kenneth Branagh's 1996 adaptation of 'Hamlet,' Christie delivers a memorable portrayal of Gertrude, despite the film being criticized for its overall execution. Similarly, in 'Young Cassidy' (1965), she shines in a brief yet impactful role as Daisy Battles, a character that adds depth to a film that otherwise struggles with pacing. Christie's ability to evoke empathy is further demonstrated in 'The Railway Station Man' (1992), where she plays a widow dealing with the repercussions of her husband’s murder, showcasing her enduring chemistry with co-star Donald Sutherland. The list of her noteworthy films continues with 'Doctor Zhivago' (1965) and 'Darling' (1965), both of which solidified her status as an international star, despite some critiques regarding the authenticity of her character portrayals.
Christie’s later works, such as 'Away From Her' (2006) and 'Finding Neverland' (2004), highlight her ability to take on complex emotional narratives, earning her critical acclaim and additional Oscar nominations. In 'Away From Her,' she portrays a woman grappling with Alzheimer’s, delivering a performance that resonates with depth and nuance. Her role in 'Petulia' (1968) reveals her talent for balancing light-heartedness with profound themes, as she navigates the complexities of love and loss. Christie's contributions to cinema have not only earned her prestigious awards but also a lasting legacy, influencing generations of actors and filmmakers. Her ability to adapt to different genres and characters makes her one of the most respected actresses of her time, showcasing the breadth of her talent across various cinematic styles and narratives, from the poignant to the playful, demonstrating why she remains a timeless figure in film history.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides a retrospective look at the films of Julie Christie, celebrating her career as she turns 85. By ranking her 20 best films, it highlights her contributions to cinema and offers a chance for both nostalgia and appreciation of her work. This type of content serves to commemorate significant figures in the film industry, particularly as they age, prompting reflections on their impact and legacy.
Cultural Reflection and Nostalgia
By focusing on Julie Christie’s most notable films, the article taps into a sense of nostalgia for both her fans and the history of cinema. It emphasizes Christie's versatility and talent, which may resonate with audiences who have followed her career over the decades. This can create a shared cultural experience among readers, fostering discussions about classic films and the evolution of acting styles.
Audience Engagement
The article likely aims to engage both older audiences, who may have watched Christie's films during their initial release, and younger viewers interested in classic cinema. The ranking of films encourages readers to revisit or discover Christie's work, which can spark conversations about film history and inspire a deeper appreciation for cinematic artistry.
Potential Omissions
While the article celebrates Christie’s career, it may inadvertently downplay films or performances that some readers feel deserve recognition. By focusing on a ranked list, there’s a risk of excluding certain works that could be significant to various audience segments. This selective approach might lead to questions about which films were included or excluded and why.
Impact on Public Perception
The content is likely intended to reinforce Julie Christie's status as a cinematic icon, shaping public perception positively. By presenting her films in a ranked format, the article encourages readers to see her as a leading figure in film history, which can influence how new generations view her contributions.
Comparative Analysis with Other Articles
In comparison to other articles that cover similar topics, this piece stands out for its specific focus on ranking and analysis rather than merely listing her films. This approach could suggest an effort to differentiate itself in a crowded media landscape by providing a more curated and thoughtful examination of Christie's career.
Societal Implications
While the article is primarily celebratory, it can also reflect broader societal themes, such as the challenges of aging in the public eye and the continued relevance of classic cinema in modern culture. This might lead to discussions about how society values aging artists and their contributions over time.
Community Support
The article may resonate particularly well with film enthusiasts, cinema scholars, and fans of classic films. It appeals to those who appreciate the artistry of actors like Christie and the historical context of their work, fostering a community of support around classic cinema.
Market Influence
Although the article itself may not directly impact stock markets or financial sectors, it can influence the film industry by reigniting interest in classic films. This renewed attention could benefit companies involved in film production, distribution, or streaming services that offer classic films.
Global Context
The celebration of a notable actress like Julie Christie can be tied to broader discussions about representation and diversity in film. While the piece does not directly address current geopolitical issues, it contributes to ongoing conversations about the legacy of artists and their roles in shaping cultural narratives.
Artificial Intelligence Consideration
It is possible that AI tools were used in crafting the article, especially in terms of ranking films based on popularity or critical reception. Such tools could influence the tone or structure of the article, emphasizing an analytical perspective that engages readers. If AI was involved, it might have aimed to present an objective view while still capturing the essence of Christie's impact on cinema. In conclusion, the article effectively celebrates Julie Christie’s career while presenting it in a way that encourages engagement and reflection among readers. The manipulative potential is low, as the focus is on appreciation rather than criticism, aiming to foster a positive narrative around her legacy.
Unanalyzed Article Content
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https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/17/julie-christie-at-85-her-20-best-films-ranked
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Source: The Guardian