The Life of Emile Zola
The Life of Emile Zola
The Life of Emile Zola
Watch TrailerWatch Movie
1937
1h 56m
6.7(145 votes)
Drama
History

Overview

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.

Links & Resources

IMDbView

Social & External

IMDb

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

Videos & Trailers

1 video

Cast & Crew

28 members
Acting

Paul Muni

Emile Zola

Paul Muni
Acting

Gale Sondergaard

Lucie Dreyfus

Gale Sondergaard
Acting

Joseph Schildkraut

Capt. Alfred Dreyfus

Joseph Schildkraut
Acting

Gloria Holden

Alexandrine Zola

Gloria Holden
Acting

Donald Crisp

Maitre Labori

Donald Crisp
Acting

Erin O'Brien-Moore

Nana

Erin O'Brien-Moore
Acting

John Litel

Charpentier

John Litel
Acting

Henry O'Neill

Colonel Picquart

Henry O'Neill
Acting

Morris Carnovsky

Anatole France

Morris Carnovsky
Acting

Louis Calhern

Major Dort

Louis Calhern
Acting

Ralph Morgan

Commander of Paris

Ralph Morgan
Acting

Robert Barrat

Major Walsin-Esterhazy

Robert Barrat
Acting

Vladimir Sokoloff

Paul Cezanne

Vladimir Sokoloff
Acting

Grant Mitchell

Georges Clemenceau

Grant Mitchell
Acting

Harry Davenport

Chief of Staff

Harry Davenport
Acting

Robert Warwick

Colonel Henry

Robert Warwick
Acting

Charles Richman

M. Delagorgue

Charles Richman
Acting

Gilbert Emery

Minister of War

Gilbert Emery
Acting

Walter Kingsford

Colonel Sandherr

Walter Kingsford
Acting

Paul Everton

Assistant Chief of Staff

Paul Everton
Acting

Montagu Love

M. Cavaignac

Montagu Love
Acting

Frank Sheridan

M. Van Cassell

Frank Sheridan
Acting

Lumsden Hare

Mr. Richards

Lumsden Hare
Acting

Marcia Mae Jones

Helen Richards

Marcia Mae Jones
Acting

Florence Roberts

Madame Zola

Florence Roberts
Acting

Dickie Moore

Pierre Dreyfus

Dickie Moore
Acting

Rolla Gourvitch

Jeanne Dreyfus

No Image
Acting

Franklyn Farnum

(uncredited)

Franklyn Farnum

Similar Movies

One Hundred Steps
7.8
2000

One Hundred Steps

Peppino Impastato is a quick-witted lad growing up in 1970s Sicily. Despite hailing from a family with Mafia ties and living just one hundred steps from the house of local boss Tano Badalamenti, Peppino decides to expose the Mafia by using a pirate radio station to broadcast his political pronouncements in the form of ironic humour.

Movie
Beautiful Kate
5.6
2009

Beautiful Kate

Ned Kendall is asked to return to the remote and isolated family home by his sister, to say goodbye to his father who is dying. Ned also brings his young aspiring actress fiancee who struggles with the isolation. When home he starts having memories of his childhood many involving his beautiful twin sister and his older brother. These memories awaken long-buried secrets from the family's past.

Movie
The King of Laughter
7.5
2021

The King of Laughter

In early 20th-century Naples, a theatrical parody lands beloved thespian and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta in court, facing a malicious lawsuit that could compromise his freedom of expression and the economic security of his extended family—including his son's, young Eduardo De Filippo.

Movie
The Miracle of Crybaby Shottan
7.0
2018

The Miracle of Crybaby Shottan

Shoji Segawa was a quiet and inconspicuous boy, but, for the first time, he is recognized by people after winning the National Middle School Shogi Tournament. At the age of 26, his dream of becoming a professional shogi player collapses due to an age restriction. After he quits playing shogi, he becomes desperate. With the support of his peers, including Yuya Suzuki, and his love of shogi, Shoji Segawa begins to play shogi again. A miracle happens to him.

Movie
Wormwood
6.9
2017

Wormwood

In this genre-bending tale, Errol Morris explores the mysterious death of a U.S. scientist entangled in a secret Cold War program known as MK-Ultra.

Movie
Erkel
10.0
1952

Erkel

We have linguists, we have literary men, we have newspapers, actors, musicians, but we have no national opera!", lamented the champions of national revival in the middle of the last century. Hungarian music culture at home is limited to the performance of works by foreign composers. And the public demands Hungarian opera, and such a challenge is not easy to meet. So let's see who is up to the task!

Movie
King Rat
7.1
1965

King Rat

When Singapore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, the Allied POWs, mostly British but including a few Americans, were incarcerated in Changi prison. Among the American prisoners is Cpl. King, a wheeler-dealer who has managed to establish a pretty good life for himself in the camp. King soon forms a friendship with an upper-class British officer who is fascinated with King's enthusiastic approach to life.

Movie
Lust for Life
7.2
1956

Lust for Life

An intense and imaginative artist, revered Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh possesses undeniable talent, but he is plagued by mental problems and frustrations with failure. Supported by his brother, Theo, the tormented Van Gogh eventually leaves Holland for France, where he meets volatile fellow painter Paul Gauguin and struggles to find greater inspiration.

Movie
House No. 13
6.5
1952

House No. 13

Sherif visits a psychiatrist for his illness who exploits him to commit a murder by hypnotism.

Movie
A Plot
1953

A Plot

Amina works as a secretary for Murad, who loves her and decides to marry her. But his cousin, Salma, who's after his wealth, succeeds in telling Amina that Murad's father does not approve of the marriage, which causes Amina to be in a bad psychological condition and loses her eyesight.

Movie
Metropolis
8.1
1927

Metropolis

In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.

Movie
Anatomy of a Murder
7.8
1959

Anatomy of a Murder

Semi-retired Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case of Army Lt. Manion, who murdered a local innkeeper after his wife claimed that he raped her. Over the course of an extensive trial, Biegler parries with District Attorney Lodwick and out-of-town prosecutor Claude Dancer to set his client free, but his case rests on the victim's mysterious business partner, who's hiding a dark secret.

Movie
Gladiator
8.2
2000

Gladiator

After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.

Movie
Freaks
7.8
1932

Freaks

A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.

Movie
All Quiet on the Western Front
7.8
1930

All Quiet on the Western Front

When a group of idealistic young men join the German Army during the Great War, they are assigned to the Western Front, where their patriotism is destroyed by the harsh realities of combat.

Movie
Wings of Desire
7.8
1987

Wings of Desire

Two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion, the angel longs to experience life in the physical world, and finds -- with some words of wisdom from actor Peter Falk -- that it might be possible for him to take human form.

Movie
The 400 Blows
8.0
1959

The 400 Blows

For young Parisian boy Antoine Doinel, life is one difficult situation after another. Surrounded by inconsiderate adults, including his neglectful parents, Antoine spends his days with his best friend, Rene, trying to plan for a better life. When one of their schemes goes awry, Antoine ends up in trouble with the law, leading to even more conflicts with unsympathetic authority figures.

Movie
Driving Miss Daisy
7.2
1989

Driving Miss Daisy

The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters, in a time when those types of relationships were shunned.

Movie
La Strada
7.9
1954

La Strada

When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased from her impoverished mother by brutish circus strongman Zampanò to be his wife and partner, she loyally endures her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the Italian countryside performing together. Soon Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings about Gelsomina when she finds a kindred spirit in Il Matto, the carefree circus fool, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.

Movie
The English Patient
7.2
1996

The English Patient

In the 1930s, Count Almásy is a Hungarian map maker employed by the Royal Geographical Society to chart the vast expanses of the Sahara Desert along with several other prominent explorers. As World War II unfolds, Almásy enters into a world of love, betrayal, and politics.

Movie

Recommended Movies

You Can't Take It with You
7.5
1938

You Can't Take It with You

Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish mother strongly disapprove of the match. When the Kirbys are invited to dinner to become better acquainted with their future in-laws, things don't turn out the way Alice had hoped.

Movie
Passport to Pimlico
6.9
1949

Passport to Pimlico

When an unexploded WWII bomb is accidentally detonated in Pimlico, it reveals a treasure trove and documents proving that the region is in fact part of Burgundy, France and thus foreign territory. The British government attempts to regain control by setting up border controls and cutting off services to the area.

Movie
The Awful Truth
7.2
1937

The Awful Truth

Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.

Movie
Cimarron
5.6
1931

Cimarron

When the government opens up the Oklahoma territory for settlement, restless Yancey Cravat claims a plot of the free land for himself and moves his family there from Wichita. A newspaperman, lawyer, and just about everything else, Cravat soon becomes a leading citizen of the boom town of Osage. Once the town is established, however, he begins to feel confined once again, and heads for the Cherokee Strip, leaving his family behind. During this and other absences, his wife Sabra must learn to take care of herself and soon becomes prominent in her own right.

Movie
Stella Dallas
6.9
1937

Stella Dallas

After divorcing a society man, a small-town woman tries to build a better life for their daughter.

Movie
In Old Chicago
6.6
1938

In Old Chicago

The O'Leary brothers -- honest Jack and roguish Dion -- become powerful figures, and eventually rivals, in Chicago on the eve of its Great Fire.

Movie
H.M.S. Defiant
6.5
1962

H.M.S. Defiant

Defiant's crew is part of a fleet-wide movement to present a petition of grievances to the Admiralty. Violence must be no part of it. The continual sadism of Defiant's first officer makes this difficult, and when the captain is disabled, the chance for violence increases.

Movie
The Good Earth
6.2
1937

The Good Earth

China, during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. The arranged marriage between Wang Lung, a humble farmer, and O-Lan, a domestic slave, will endure the many hardships of life over the years; but the temptations of a fragile prosperity will endanger their love and the survival of their entire family.

Movie
El Bulli: Cooking in Progress
5.3
2011

El Bulli: Cooking in Progress

For six months of the year, renowned Spanish chef Ferran Adria closes his restaurant El Bulli -- repeatedly voted the world's best -- and works with his culinary team to prepare the menu for the next season. An elegant, detailed study of food as avant-garde art, EL BULLI: COOKING IN PROGRESS is a rare inside look at some of the world's most innovative and exciting cooking; as Adria himself puts it, "the more bewilderment, the better!"

Movie
Enemy Mine
6.9
1985

Enemy Mine

A soldier from Earth crashlands on an alien world after sustaining battle damage. Eventually he encounters another survivor, but from the enemy species he was fighting; they band together to survive on this hostile world. In the end the human finds himself caring for his enemy in a completely unexpected way.

Movie
The City of Lost Children
7.2
1995

The City of Lost Children

A scientist in a surrealist society kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping that they slow his aging process.

Movie
The Midnight Sky
5.7
2020

The Midnight Sky

A lone scientist in the Arctic races to contact a crew of astronauts returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.

Movie
The Artist
7.5
2011

The Artist

Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.

Movie
Babylon
7.4
2022

Babylon

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, tracing the rise and fall of multiple characters in an era of unbridled decadence and depravity during Hollywood's transition from silent films to sound films in the late 1920s.

Movie
Black Swan
7.7
2010

Black Swan

The story of a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life is completely consumed with dance. Nina lives with her retired ballerina mother who zealously supports her daughter's professional ambition. When the artistic director decides to replace the prima ballerina for the opening production of their new season, Nina is his first choice.

Movie
Joker
8.1
2019

Joker

During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.

Movie
Oppenheimer
8.0
2023

Oppenheimer

The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer's role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Movie
Shutter Island
8.2
2010

Shutter Island

World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.

Movie
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
7.4
2019

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton, a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth, his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate, who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski…

Movie
Titanic
7.9
1997

Titanic

101-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story of her life aboard the Titanic, 84 years later. A young Rose boards the ship with her mother and fiancé. Meanwhile, Jack Dawson and Fabrizio De Rossi win third-class tickets aboard the ship. Rose tells the whole story from Titanic's departure through to its death—on its first and last voyage—on April 15, 1912.

Movie