Product ReviewsThe Life of Emile Zola (DVD, 1937)

This Movie Lives Up To Its Reputation!

Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, Winner of 3, this movie really has its bragging rights. It's also a positive movie because it is about justice, truth, and honesty in the vein of "All the President's Men."

Emile Zola (Paul Muni) starts out very poor living in a Paris France attic with an eventually famous artist Paul Cezanne (Vladimir Sokolof) as his roommate in the late 1880s. He is a novelist but doesn't hit the big time until he has an unexpected conversation with a French prostitute. The resulting novel "Nana" propels him to national prominence, and that book births many more.

Now rich, Emile is ready to retire. But an unexpected visit from Lucie Dreyfus (Gale Sondergaard)changes everything. You see, her husband, Captain Dreyfus (Joseph Schildkraut) has been falsely convicted of treason in an Army coverup and sent to the horrible prison at Devil's Island near South America. Mrs. Dreyfus also has the proof of her husband's innocence. Risking everything, Emile goes national and eventually international in support of Captain Dreyfus. That is the bulk of the story.

Of the major Oscars, Joseph Schildkraut won Best Supporting Actor, the movie won Best Picture of 1937, and it also won Best Screenplay. Paul Muni was heralded for his performance as Zola, but lost the Oscar to Spencer Tracy in "Captains Courageous." Muni had previously won the year before for "The Story of Louis Pasteur."

You would never guess that this movie was made in 1937. It looks more like 1947. The black and white print on the DVD is marvelous. It even provides English subtitles, which has become one of my requirements. There are also several special features including the trailer of the movie. This movie was a big deal in 1937, and it is still very uplifting. And also a great performance by Paul Muni, whom I know very little about.Read full review...

Excellent in every way.

I had discovered Paul Muni through Scarface and now this movie has made me obsessed with him. What an amazing actor. Such a great movie.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: *gopeachy*

very good dvd

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: goodwillofsouth...

The life of emily zola

Excellent movie and actors. Oscar winner for best picture and i'm collecting every oscar winner picture.

Good movie

Very entertaining!