Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Life of Emile Zola

The Life of Emile Zola

Seen it?

1937 | 116 min | Drama, History

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 3 Oscars. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Mank or Ragtime, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1937: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 3 Oscars: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. Also nominated for 6 more Oscars. Plus 1 other award.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 34K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by William Dieterle

  • Paul MuniEmile Zola
  • Gale SondergaardLucie Dreyfus
  • Joseph SchildkrautCapt. Alfred Dreyfus
  • Gloria HoldenAlexandrine Zola
  • Donald CrispMaitre Labori
  • Erin O'Brien-MooreNana
  • John LitelCharpentier
  • Henry O'NeillColonel Picquart
  • Morris CarnovskyAnatole France
  • Louis CalhernMajor Dort