If you have searched for "Julia 1974" on IMDb, you have likely encountered a confusing piece of cinematic history. Unlike the more famous Julia (1977) starring Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave (which won three Oscars), the 1974 version is an obscure, low-budget film that has gained a peculiar kind of afterlife—mostly due to curiosity, confusion, and a very specific audience. What is "Julia" (1974)? The 1974 Julia is an American sexploitation drama directed by John Derek (yes, the actor/filmmaker later known for Tarzan the Ape Man and Bolero ). It stars his then-wife, Ursula Andress (famous as the original "Bond girl" in Dr. No ), as Julia—a wealthy, bored, and emotionally damaged woman who retreats to a secluded island mansion after a traumatic event. The plot is sparse: Julia engages in a series of erotic encounters, psychological games, and power struggles with various men and women who visit her.