Petulia (1968): Cast & Plot
Petulia is a 1968 romantic drama directed by Richard Lester, starring Julie Christie as Petulia Danner, George C. Scott and Richard Chamberlain. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Richard Lester
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Petulia About?
The premise of Petulia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Dr. Archie Bollen, newly divorced and confronting a midlife crisis, tries to rebuild his life. One night he meets Petulia Danner, a charismatic, free‑spirited woman whose lively exterior masks terror of her abusive husband, David, a man whose powerful father dominates society. As their attraction deepens, both must confront what they truly desire.
Petulia Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- marriage
- husband wife relationship
- haight ashbury san francisco
- doomed romance
- social commentary
- car accident
- midlife crisis
- surgeon
- told in flashback
- unhappy marriage
- female protagonist
- newlywed
+38 more Show fewer
- character name as title
- based on story
- title co written by female
- psychological drama
- alcatraz island
- dark romance
- arrogant man
- bachelor apartment
- architect
- benefit concert
- tragic romance
- automation
- naval architect
- divorced man married woman relationship
- ex wife
- female nudity
- japanese garden
- san francisco bay
- fisherman's wharf san francisco
- mexico california border
- mistress
- vietnam war era
- brutal beating
- millionaire
- domineering father in law
- maternity ward
- reference to malvina reynolds
- surviving-domestic-abuse
- hospital patient
- self denial
- psychedelia
- cable car
- christmas
- woman in labor
- victim of domestic violence
- lovers' reunion
- sailing yacht
- bourgeois
Petulia Cast & Characters
Julie Christie leads the cast as Petulia Danner, with George C. Scott as Dr. Archie Bollen and Richard Chamberlain as Dave Danner. Directed by Richard Lester; 22 actors are credited in all.
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Director Richard Lester
-
Julie Christie as Petulia Danner -
George C. Scott as Dr. Archie Bollen -
Richard Chamberlain as Dave Danner - Shirley Knight as Polo
Also Starring in Petulia
· 18 more- Pippa Scott May
- Arthur Hill Barney
- Kathleen Widdoes Wilma
- Joseph Cotten Mr. Danner
- Howard Hesseman Hippie (uncredited)
- René Auberjonois Fred Six (uncredited)
- Austin Pendleton Intern (uncredited)
- Richard Dysart Motel Receptionist
- Mel Stewart Supermarket Clerk (uncredited)
- Richard Stahl Greenhouse fitter (uncredited)
- Ellen Geer Nun
- Roger Bowen Warren
- Peter Bonerz Themselves
- Janis Joplin Themselves
- Barbara Bosson Themselves
- Ruth Kobart Nun
Show all 22 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Josephine Nichols Neighbor (uncredited)
- Kathryn Ish Themselves
Petulia Plot Summary
What happens in Petulia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In San Francisco, Petulia Danner, a young socialite newly married to architect David Danner, navigates a life of polished surfaces and private tensions. Petulia’s world shifts when she meets Dr. Archie Bollen at a charity event for traffic-accident victims. Archie is in the middle of a divorce from his wife, Polo, and the immediate spark between Petulia and the doctor darkens the lines between duty and desire. The connection intensifies after Archie treats Oliver, a Mexican boy Petulia has adopted, and what begins as a charged attraction soon deepens into something more complicated than either of them anticipated.
Full summary
The whole story of Petulia, scene by scene
Petulia Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.
- Teaser Petulia (1968) 16mm short teaser trailer for TV ad.
How Well Do You Know Petulia?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays Petulia Danner?
Cars in Petulia
16 cars on screen, including the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro and the 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupé.
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1967 Chevrolet Camaro Main role -
1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupé Important role -
1964 Buick LeSabre Minor role -
1966 Chevrolet Impala Convertible Minor role
Petulia Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Петулия, პეტულია” and “페출리아”.
- Also known as
-
- Петулия, პეტულია
- 페출리아
- Petúlia
- 芳菲何处
Seen Petulia?
Movies Like Petulia
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Petunia, Purple Violets and The Petrified Forest.
Petulia FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Petulia, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Petulia?
Petulia runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Petulia released?
Petulia was released on June 10, 1968.
Who directed Petulia?
Petulia was directed by Richard Lester.
More films by Richard Lester Who is in the cast of Petulia?
Petulia stars Julie Christie as Petulia Danner, George C. Scott as Dr. Archie Bollen and Richard Chamberlain as Dave Danner, among 22 credited actors.
Does Petulia have a post-credit scene?
No. Petulia has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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