Jezebel Movie Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and More
by Ayisha
Updated Jul 03, 2023
Jezebel Movie Ending Explained
The ending of the movie Jezebel is both dramatic and ambiguous, leaving the audience with no clear resolution. After Julie Marsden (played by Bette Davis) has gone through a series of transgressions and learned valuable lessons, she finds herself holding a feverish Pres (Henry Fonda) on the brink of death from yellow fever.
They ride off together to the island where condemned individuals, including those who have rejected or been rejected by social customs, reside. The triumphant music accompanying their departure contrasts with the somber tone of the final scene, which suggests more of a funeral procession than a victorious ride.
The ending of Jezebel reflects the consequences of Julie's defiance and the limitations of Southern customs. Julie's journey of self-discovery and her attempts to challenge societal norms ultimately lead to tragedy.
By accompanying Pres to the island, Julie sacrifices herself in an act of redemption and acceptance of the consequences of her actions. The ending is open to interpretation, allowing the audience to ponder the true outcome of Julie's story and the implications of her choices.
In summary, the ending of Jezebel is bittersweet and leaves the audience with a sense of uncertainty. It underscores the themes of societal constraints, personal growth, and the price one pays for defying social norms.
Jezebel Movie Plot
In the year 1852, in the city of New Orleans, a strong-willed and spoiled young woman named Julie Marsden is engaged to marry a banker named Preston "Pres" Dillard. During an important meeting, Pres tries to persuade the board to invest in railroads, as Northerners are doing, and supports Dr. Livingstone's call for measures to prevent another outbreak of yellow fever.
In retaliation for Pres's refusal to leave the meeting and accompany her to a final fitting for a ball gown, Julie decides to purchase a bold red satin dress that was originally intended for a notorious woman. At the Olympus Ball, which is the most significant social event of the year where unmarried women are expected to wear pure white, Julie shocks and disgusts everyone with her attire.
Despite the disapproval of her friends, Julie remains stubborn and refuses to give up her unconventional choice. At the ball, Julie pleads with Pres to leave, but instead he insists on dancing with her even as other couples abandon the floor. When the orchestra stops playing on the instruction of one of the ball's sponsors, Pres instructs the conductor to continue. Pres and Julie complete their dance.
Afterwards, Pres ends their engagement by leaving Julie and implicitly breaking their relationship. In a final act of spite, Julie slaps him across the face. Aunt Belle Massey urges her to chase after him, but Julie refuses, confident that he will return to her. However, Pres departs for the North on business. Julie isolates herself in her house and rejects all visitors.
A year later, Pres finally returns, accompanied by his Northern wife, Amy, for a homecoming celebration held in his honor at Halcyon Plantation, which is Julie's estate. Aunt Belle is unable to find Julie in time to warn her about their arrival. Julie, dressed in a radiant white gown, humbles herself and pleads for Pres's forgiveness and love before he can stop her. At that moment, Pres introduces her to Amy.
In an attempt to provoke a conflict between Pres and her longtime admirer, skilled duelist Buck Cantrell, Julie's plan backfires. Instead, Pres's inexperienced brother Ted is provoked into challenging Buck, resulting in Ted killing him.
As predicted by Dr. Livingstone, a deadly epidemic engulfs the city, leading to strict measures to contain it. They combat the outbreak with cannons and smoke, and due to the belief that yellow fever is highly contagious, a rigid quarantine is enforced, even to the extent of shooting those who attempt to escape the city. Pres falls ill in New Orleans and, like other victims, is to be quarantined on Lazaret Island, which is a leper colony.
Julie seeks out Dr. Livingstone's help and spends a night and a day nursing Pres. Eventually, their family arrives with a pass from the governor. When the wagon arrives to take Pres, Amy pleads to accompany him, but Julie explains that she is not equipped to face the challenges of the leper colony, including the language barrier and the unfamiliar conditions and people there.
Julie implores to go in Amy's place in an effort to redeem herself. Before agreeing, Amy asks if Pres still loves Julie, to which Julie admits that he only loves his wife. Amy blesses them, and Julie joins Pres on a wagon along with other victims and caregivers.
Jezebel Cast
Actor/Actress
Character
Margaret Lindsay
Amy Bradford Dillard
Richard Cromwell
Ted Dillard
Henry O'Neill
General Theopholus Bogardus
Spring Byington
Mrs. Kendrick
John Litel
Jean La Cour
Gordon Oliver
Dick Allen
Janet Shaw
Molly Allen
Theresa Harris
Zette
Margaret Early
Stephanie Kendrick
Irving Pichel
Huger
Eddie Anderson
Gros Bat
Matthew "Stymie" Beard
Ti Bat (credited as Stymie Beard)
Lew Payton
Uncle Cato
George Renevant
De Lautruc
Ann Codee
Mme. Poullard (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes
Doctor at Duel (uncredited)
Jezebel Where To Watch?
In the movie, Julie's early transgressions are depicted as minor misbehaviors, such as her tardiness to her engagement party due to indulging in a spirited horse ride and teaching the horse proper manners. These incidents serve to establish Julie as a free-spirited and unrestrained young woman, whose actions become a subject of gossip among idle Southern women.
Julie's social circle anticipates that once she marries banker Preston Dillard, he will tame her animated nature and she will conform to the expectations of a respectable Southern lady.
However, like other girls in movies who challenge oppressive social norms or seek to exploit them for personal gain, Julie is faced with the choice of accepting her predetermined destiny or facing the repercussions of her defiance. People who have not watched and want to watch Jezebel can catch it on various platforms, including Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
Jezebel Movie Ending Explained - FAQs
Jezebel was released in the year 1938.
Jezebel is a 1938 American romantic drama film released by Warner Bros.
The movie Jezebel was directed by William Wyler.
Yes, Jezebel's movie is based on the novel Jezebel 1933 play by Owen Davis.