1937 The Life of Emile Zola

1937 The Life of Emile Zola

First impressions: A good movie, but rather slow.  Had a hard time focusing.  Dreyfus actor (Joseph Schildkraut) was good.  Was frustrating watching that level of corruption in the government.

The real Emile Zola.

Basically, we follow Emile Zola from his time as a poor writer to his time as a rich writer, and then we get to the Dreyfus affair.  Zola was famous for writing controversial books/articles that called society and the government out on political and moral issues.

Paul Muni as Emile Zola

He has gotten a bit complacent when the Drefus affair comes about.  There is a traitor in the military upper echelons, and against all evidence, Dreyfus is accused.  Poor guy sits in jail on an island for years while Zola writes "J'Áccuse," an article condemning the military for covering up the fact that they convicted the wrong man and they know it, but won't release Drefyus because it would make them look bad.  Zola goes on trial for libel, and tries to make a case for the release of Dreyfus while being hindered by the legal system at every turn.  He loses the case, flees to England, and returns when the case is finally overturned...only to meet his demise.  Second year in a row of the main character dying at the end. 

I think the girl in The Majestic reproduced the speech Zola made in court with more oomph, but that's probably just me.