The Life of Emile Zola
“He'll hold you in silence as deep as your emotions!”
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Life of Emile Zola Official Trailer #1 - Henry O'Neill Movie (1937) HD
Type: Trailer • Published 2012-10-05
Top Cast
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Paul Muni
Emile Zola
Gale Sondergaard
Lucie Dreyfus
Joseph Schildkraut
Capt. Alfred Dreyfus
Gloria Holden
Alexandrine Zola
Donald Crisp
Maitre Labori
Erin O'Brien-Moore
Nana
John Litel
Charpentier
Henry O'Neill
Colonel Picquart
Morris Carnovsky
Anatole France
Louis Calhern
Major Dort
Ralph Morgan
Commander of Paris
Robert Barrat
Major Walsin-Esterhazy
Vladimir Sokoloff
Paul Cezanne
Grant Mitchell
Georges Clemenceau
Harry Davenport
Chief of Staff
Robert Warwick
Colonel Henry
Charles Richman
M. Delagorgue
Gilbert Emery
Minister of War
Release History & Theatrical Window
New York City, New York
Festival / Special Debut
September 9, 1937
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- William Dieterle
- Screenplay & Story
- Norman Reilly Raine, Heinz Herald, Geza Herczeg
- Original Score
- Max Steiner
- Original Title
- The Life of Emile Zola
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
- Production Studios
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
William Dieterle
Norman Reilly Raine, Heinz Herald, Geza Herczeg, Matthew Josephson
Max Steiner
Tony Gaudio
Warren Low
Henry Blanke
Department Leadership Roster
William Dieterle
Director
Norman Reilly Raine
Screenplay
Heinz Herald
Screenplay
Henry Blanke
Producer
Max Steiner
Original Music Composer
Geza Herczeg
Screenplay
Tony Gaudio
Director of Photography
Warren Low
Editor
Milo Anderson
Costume Design
Ali Hubert
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
G: General Audiences — All ages admitted. Nothing offensive for children.
International Certification Matrix
General Audiences — All ages admitted. Nothing offensive for children.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Life of Emile Zola.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Life of Emile Zola.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Life of Emile Zola
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Life of Emile Zola about?
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.
Who directed The Life of Emile Zola?
The Life of Emile Zola was directed by William Dieterle.
Who stars in The Life of Emile Zola?
The principal cast of The Life of Emile Zola includes Paul Muni, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Schildkraut, Gloria Holden, Donald Crisp.
When was The Life of Emile Zola released and how long is it?
The Life of Emile Zola was released in 1937 with a total runtime of 1h 56m.
Who composed the musical score for The Life of Emile Zola?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Life of Emile Zola was composed by Max Steiner.
Is The Life of Emile Zola based on a book or true story?
The Life of Emile Zola is adapted from the following source material: Book: "Matthew Josephson".
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Life of Emile Zola?
The Life of Emile Zola holds official age classifications: US: G (General Audiences — All ages admitted. Nothing offensive for children.).