The Life of Emile Zola

1937

1h 56m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

147

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A fictionalized account of famous French writer Emile Zola and his involvement in the Dreyfus Affair. After struggling to establish himself, Zola wins success writing about the unsavory side of Paris and settles into a comfortable upper-class life. However, Zola's complacency is shaken when Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus is imprisoned for being a spy. Realizing that Dreyfus is an innocent victim of anti-Semitism, Zola boldly pens a newspaper article exposing the truth, is charged with libel and must defend himself in a dramatic courtroom testimony.

Directors

William Dieterle

Writers

Norman Reilly Raine(screenplay by)

Heinz Herald(screenplay by)

Matthew Josephson(book by)

Stars

Paul Muni

Gale Sondergaard

Joseph Schildkraut

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Trailer
Watch The Life of Emile Zola Official Trailer #1 - Henry O'Neill Movie (1937) HD

Photos28

Top cast

Emile Zola

Lucie Dreyfus

Capt. Alfred Dreyfus

Alexandrine Zola

Maitre Labori

Nana

Charpentier

Colonel Picquart

Anatole France

Major Dort

Commander of Paris

Major Walsin-Esterhazy

Paul Cezanne

Georges Clemenceau

Chief of Staff

Colonel Henry

M. Delagorgue

Minister of War

Directors

William Dieterle

Writers

Norman Reilly Raine(screenplay by)

Heinz Herald(screenplay by)

Matthew Josephson(book by)

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7/10

Emile Zola liked nothing better than an opportunity to cause a bit of scandal and over the years that made him a wealthy man, but earned him the enmity of pretty much all of the Establishment. France was still finding it's political feet with the second empire giving way to the third republic, the Germans were across the border heavily armed and the French military under considerable pressure to keep their country safe. It was this last point that led to the infamous "Dreyfus" affair. The High Command essentially framing a young officer (Joseph Schildkraut) for treason and banishing him to the aptly named Devil's Island. There's some disquiet about this process in Paris and Zola (Paul Muni) decides that only he has the profile (and the wit) to make some accusations that will see him in court defending a libel action whilst giving him a well publicised platform to criticise the army's behaviour. The busy courtroom drama that ensues serves well to illustrate the difficulties in fighting for the truth when the state and the generals have no interest in perpetuating this story. It's also at this stage that the film is at its most entertainingly combative. Donald Crisp is quite effective as his defence solicitor and the assemblage of familiar faces on the unformed side - notably Louis Calhern, show us just how devious and malevolent these people can be when they are turned upon. It's a bit verbose at times, but then it is about a writer, and the ending is all a bit rushed. It's not really a story about the life of this acclaimed author, it's more a critique on the trial and on the state of France justice. I could have done with a little more about what made him tick but William Dieterle chose the more dramatic and straightforward path. That's a pity, but Muni and the sparingly used Schildkraut both deliver well.

Geronimo196713 May, 2024