The Life of Emile Zola 12/19/23

Does it Creak?  Not at all. Paul Muni brings this revered biographical drama to life, even if it’s less about Zola and more about the notorious Dreyfus Affair, the kind of subject normally too touchy for Hollywood. Warners’ prestige offering nabbed a well earned Best Picture Oscar — everything connected to the crucial trial is riveting, with Muni contributing an oratory tour-de-force. Plus winning performances from Gale Sondergaard, Gloria Holden, Joseph Schildkraut, Donald Crisp and Vladimir Sokoloff — and some interesting disc extras. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
12/19/23