Trailer

The Life of Emile Zola

1937Movie1 h 56 minG

81
GreatGoodWatch score

A cathartic, moving drama movie about history and a real life story, with standout performances.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for laughs or scares.

Movies with

Story

He'll hold you in silence as deep as your emotions!

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.

Feels like

  • Historical Drama
  • Biopic
  • Social Justice
  • Political Intrigue
  • Courtroom Drama
  • Literary Adaptation
  • Character Study
  • Classic Hollywood
  • French History

Cast

Crew

Directed by
William Dieterle
Produced by
Henry Blanke

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 9, 1937 · 1 h 56 min · G

Released
September 9, 1937
Runtime
1 h 56 min
Age rating
G
Genres
Drama, History
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
44 countries

Tropes

Call-Forward, Trade Your Passion for Glory, Streetwalker +9

  • Call-Forward
  • Trade Your Passion for Glory
  • Streetwalker
  • Foreshadowing
  • Getting Crap Past the Radar
  • Miscarriage of Justice
  • The Alcatraz
  • Leave Behind a Pistol
  • Driven to Suicide
  • Time-Passes Montage
  • Earn Your Happy Ending
  • Biopic

12 of 26 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

3 questions, like "Where can I stream The Life of Emile Zola?"

Questions about The Life of Emile Zola

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Life of Emile Zola?

In the United States, you can rent or buy The Life of Emile Zola from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 6 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is The Life of Emile Zola worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81 (IMDb 7.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 92%). Critics rate it higher (92 out of 100) than audiences (72).

What tropes does The Life of Emile Zola use?

Call-ForwardTrade Your Passion for GloryStreetwalkerForeshadowingGetting Crap Past the RadarMiscarriage of JusticeThe AlcatrazLeave Behind a PistolDriven to SuicideTime-Passes MontageEarn Your Happy EndingBiopicand 14 more

TV Tropes lists 26 tropes for it, including Call-Forward, Trade Your Passion for Glory, and Streetwalker.