The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
Drama · History
Overview
A fictionalized account of famous French writer Émile Zola and his involvement in the Dreyfus Affair. After struggling to establish himself, Zola wins success documenting the unsavory side of Paris and settles into a comfortable upper-class life. However, his complacency is shaken when Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus is imprisoned for espionage. Realizing that Dreyfus is an innocent victim of anti-Semitism, Zola boldly pens an exposé, only to be charged with libel and now he must defend himself in a dramatic courtroom testimony.
Cast
- Paul Muni as Emile Zola
- Gale Sondergaard as Lucie Dreyfus
- Joseph Schildkraut as Capt. Alfred Dreyfus
- Gloria Holden as Alexandrine Zola
- Donald Crisp as Maitre Labori
- Erin O'Brien-Moore as Nana
- John Litel as Charpentier
- Henry O'Neill as Colonel Picquart
- Morris Carnovsky as Anatole France
- Louis Calhern as Major Dort