The Life of Emile Zola

Plot Summary

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.

Top Cast

Paul Muni Emile Zola

Gale Sondergaard Lucie Dreyfus

Joseph Schildkraut Capt. Alfred Dreyfus

Gloria Holden Alexandrine Zola

Donald Crisp Maitre Labori