The Life of Emile Zola

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The Life of Emile Zola

1937

1h 56m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

92%

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71 Reviews

73%

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1,000+ Ratings

After struggling to establish himself, author Émile 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.

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Critics Consensus

Urgently relevant in an era of escalating bigotry and fascism, The Life of Emile Zola is a respectful and staid tribute to the French novelist, enlivened by Paul Muni's chameleonic prowess.

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Alan Page

Sight & Sound

08/03/2022

Muni is, in fact, the whole film, with the exception of one small section that Joseph Schildkraut, as Dreyfus, firmly claims for his own. Muni is superb. Every gesture, every line is put over with immense care and artistry.

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

08/03/2022

Like The Story of Louis Pasteur, though perhaps lacking some of that film's warmth and appeal, "Zola" is a serious, carefully constructed, elaborately produced biography. In addition, it paints a period in colors both somber and brilliant.

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Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

08/03/2022

This new Muni production is a masterpiece. It is a skillful, intuitive, intensely sympathetic portrayal of a great and eccentric man, with action characterized by mounting suspense and moments of powerful drama.

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Pare Lorentz

McCall's

10/30/2023

It’s a grave story told with great dignity and superbly played and produced.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

09/08/2023

3.5/4

Army intrigue and courtroom theatrics are just some of the savory ingredients in this compelling film.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

08/20/2023

7/10

I find it a rather moving Dieterle biopic about injustice, honesty and the value of truth, which deposits its greatest dramatic card in Paul Muni's uplifting performance as the great Émile Zola. [Full review in Spanish]

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Christian K

@ckacar Jan 18

A straightforward biopic about a man who exposed corruption in the French government and military. It was honestly more interesting to read about the film and its reception then actually watch. It was banned in France for many years and apparently removed references and descriptors of Jewish characters to appease to nazi Germany. Randomly, there isn't a single moment that Emile Zola, or anyone else in the film for that matter, looks like the person in the poster.

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Bradley B.

@album Jan 15

I found the portrayal of Emile Zola very inspiring and gives me hope at the time if tyrants.

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Dallas H

@RT53171010 Oct 18

Law & Order: France... I must give credit to Émile Zola for having integrity and a purpose in life.

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Matheus F

@matheusf_neto 10/01/2023

Beautiful. Irreplaceable.

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CodyZamboni

@CodyZamboni 03/28/2023

This movie is deserving of all the Oscars. Sharp, literate screenplay, with stellar acting by Muni, tracing Zola's life from humble beginnings, to fame and riches, and standing up against French military injustice.

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Mark A

@RT53507781 01/03/2023

Great biography! Paul Muni is fantastic.

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William Dieterle

Director

Paul Muni

Émile Zola

Joseph Schildkraut

Captain Alfred Dreyfus

Gale Sondergaard

Lucie Dreyfus

Gloria Holden

Alexandrine Zola

Donald Crisp

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Synopsis

After struggling to establish himself, author Émile 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.

Director: William Dieterle
Producer: Henry Blanke
Screenwriter: Matthew Josephson, Heinz Herald, Geza Herczeg, Norman Reilly Raine, Heinz Herald, Geza Herczeg
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 1937, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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