Scandal, espionage, and forbidden longing in 1938 Alexandria.
JUSTINE
In Alexandria, in 1938, Darley, a young British schoolmaster and poet, makes friends through Pursewarden, the British consular officer, with Justine, the beautiful and mysterious wife of a Coptic banker. He observes the affairs of her heart and incidentally discovers that she is involved in a plot against the British, meant to arm the Jewish underground in Palestine. The plot finally fails, Justine is sent to jail and Darley decides to return to England.
Quick Answer
Justine is a 1969 American drama, mystery, and romance film directed by George Cukor about a British poet entangled with a mysterious woman and a plot to arm the Jewish underground in 1930s Alexandria.
Programmer's Pick
Come for the sultry Mediterranean nights, stay for George Cukor’s opulent take on intrigue and desire in pre-war Alexandria. With a cosmopolitan cast and high-stakes political scheming, Justine is where romance rubs elbows with conspiracy—and nobody’s motives are ever purely sentimental.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This adaptation of Lawrence Durrell's 1957 novel brought together directors George Cukor and Joseph Strick, with a screenplay featuring uncredited input from critic Andrew Sarris, and represents a cinematic interpretation of the first book in The Alexandria Quartet.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Immerse yourself in the multi-lingual, multicultural cityscape of 1930s Alexandria, rich with intrigue and romance.
The film weaves together espionage, anti-colonial plots, and shifting alliances as characters navigate British-ruled Egypt.
Anouk Aimée’s Justine is both alluring and inscrutable, a character whose personal and political motivations are never simple.
Based on Lawrence Durrell’s acclaimed novel, the film infuses lush prose with cinematic intrigue and passion.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Justine's involvement in a plot against the British
Arming the Jewish underground in Palestine
Destabilizes colonial power structures and challenges personal loyalties
1938 Alexandria, Egypt
Questions from the Vault
When was Justine released? +
Justine was released in 1969.
Who directed Justine? +
Justine was directed by George Cukor.
How long is Justine? +
Justine has a runtime of 116 minutes.
What genre is Justine? +
Justine is a drama, mystery, and romance film.
