Jane Fonda is interviewed on 'Private Screenings' Thursday, on Turner Classic Movies.

Her life has been quite public, but Jane Fonda is ready for a Private Screenings session.

Sometimes controversial - as in her recent appearance at a peace rally in Washington, D.C. - the two-time Oscar winner for best actress (Klute, Coming Home) sits down with host Robert Osborne to recall her times and films in a new Turner Classic Movies special on Thursday, March 29.

One topic is Fonda's membership in a Hollywood acting dynasty with father Henry, brother Peter and niece Bridget. She reflects on having protested America's involvement in the Vietnam War, acknowledging that many people remain angry with her almost 40 years later. And, she also talks about reinventing herself as an exercise guru and a best-selling author (My Life So Far).

Fonda discussed her life and career in a separate interview moments before the Private Screenings taping.

Was it a big decision for you to agree to the 'Private Screenings' treatment?

A: Good heavens, no! It was very easy. All of the films (Osborne) is talking to me about are films that I have, over the last few years, pondered and analysed and reflected on. He's a very good interviewer, and I like the show.

Were there any surprises as you re-examined your movies?

A: Well, I've made some absolutely wonderful films and some absolutely terrible films. Often in the terrible ones, I took chances; I've been braver than I thought I was. In some of the bad movies, there were moments where I was good - but man, there are some bad movies. I won't namenames, but I'm surprised my career survived them.

If you had to assess your top screen classics, what would they be?

A: Oh, I think Barefoot in the Park, Klute, Julia, certainly On Golden Pond, those would be the classics. There are other good ones like 9 to 5 and The China Syndrome, and Barbarella has become an iconic movie. When I was traveling around doing my book signings, a whole lot of people said their favourite movie of mine was Cat Ballou. And I must add one of my favorite things I've ever done, a 1984 TV movie called The Dollmaker.

Q: Do you see your career in separate chapters, rather than as one flowing entity?

A: In fact, I do look back at it in segments. Oddly enough, in many ways, the films I was doing at different times reflect my development as a human being. For example, I did Klute when I was becoming a social activist, when I was beginning to think of myself as a feminist.

I realised my work was going to get better as a result of that, the burgeoning ability to look at human behaviour in a deeper way, more defined by gender. I really think it made me a better actress. With the films I did subsequently that I also produced, like Coming Home and The China Syndrome and 9 to 5, I brought a new depth of awareness or consciousness.

Q: Since you largely played ingenues previously, did you consider the 'Klute' part of tough call girl Bree Daniels a brave move?

A: I didn't feel it that way. I had already done They Shoot Horses, Don't They? which gave me a more multidimensional character. As I wrote in my book, I begged Alan (Pakula, the producer-director of Klute) to let me out of my contract. I just didn't think I could do it. Of course, only looking back, I realised how much of Bree there was in me. I had tapped into it subconsciously.

Q: How did you find the reaction to your 2005 return in 'Monster-in-Law'?

A: It got terrible reviews. It was like, "Why would Jane Fonda come back after a 15-year absence and do a film like this?" but it was so the right thing to do. It was extremely popular in spite of the critics. A lot of people came to it because of Jennifer (Lopez), and maybe they'd never heard of me except for the exercise videos. It introduced me to a new generation. I'm the only person to have had the No. 1 movie and the No. 1 book in the same week.

My next film, Georgia Rule with Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan, is a totally different kind of movie. As I've told people, the ring I wore in Monster-in-Law cost more than some of the houses in Georgia Rule. It's a completely different type of character, and I adored playing her.

What do you think of the quality of current screen roles for women?

A: I think there are some pretty good ones, like in The Devil Wears Prada and some of the things Nicole Kidman has done, and Julia Roberts has had some wonderful roles. Sometimes, they're in small independent movies, like Felicity Huffman's in Transamerica. Boy, did I feel privileged to work with her. She is such a pro, such a generous performer.

I'm a big movie fan, and it's sometimes hard to decide whom to vote (awards) for among all the good actresses. Are there as many good roles for women as men? No. Is it because we don't seem to have the same box-office heft internationally? Yes. Will it change? I really don't know.

How would you describe your feeling these days in talking about your sometimes turbulent family relationships?

A: Making peace, forgiving, having compassion ... those things are all important, and I feel grateful that I've been able to bring them into my life.

- Jay Bobbin, Zap2it