Lots of Movies (6) The French Revolution and the Dreyfus Affair
17. "A Tale of Two Cities" --- A 1935 American film
A film adaptation of the novel "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens (1812–1870). It is a story about trying to help a young man of noble blood escape to England during the French Revolution, and I have also seen the 1957 British film based on the same original work. I can't help but compare them, but the drunken lawyer protagonist, Sydney Carton, is definitely better played by Dirk Bogarde in the later version than by Ronald Colman in this one. He is more romantic, and his delivery of lines is better.
This film depicts the outbreak of the revolution brilliantly. The extras are just amazing. The screen is full of them, and it's powerful. (Directed by Jack Conway)
Sydney Carton, who goes to the guillotine in place of Charles Darnay for the sake of the happiness of his beloved Lucie, firmly holds the hand of a girl who was captured just for serving the nobility, and walks through a storm of abuse with a serene face.
Both versions of this final scene are cool. It's a sad ending, but it gives you courage.
By the way, Basil Rathbone, who plays the hateful Marquis St. Evrémonde, is an actor who was highly popular for his role as Sherlock Holmes in the 1940s.
18. "The Life of Emile Zola" --- A 1937 American film
Paul Muni plays the French writer Émile Zola (1840–1902). Directed by William Dieterle.
In 1862, Zola is living in a dilapidated attic in Paris with his close friend, the painter Cézanne (Vladimir Sokoloff). He is living in poverty, working at a publishing house and getting fired, unable to get a single book published, but he never gives up his dream of becoming a writer.
He meets the prostitute Nana, and "Nana," which depicts her background, becomes a huge hit. He publishes works one after another and becomes a leader of naturalism literature. He gains wealth and worldwide fame, but Cézanne returns to his hometown.
In 1894, the Jewish French army officer Captain Alfred Dreyfus (Joseph Schildkraut) is accused of being a spy for the enemy country, Germany. He is framed as a traitor and imprisoned on a remote island.
At first, Zola is not interested, but after being implored by writers, friends, and Madame Dreyfus, he regains the self he once had when he attacked the government's incompetence and the vices of the bourgeoisie.
It is not something easily done for someone who is satisfied with their current situation, saying "I have achieved both wealth and happiness," to stand up and expose the corruption of the military, saying "the pen is mightier than the sword," without regard for their own disadvantage. Zola, you are amazing!
Zola, who stood up to defend Dreyfus, published an accusation against the military titled "J'Accuse" in a newspaper. Because he was about to be arrested by the military and his life was in danger, he fled to London and continued to fight for truth and justice from England.
In 1899, Dreyfus received a pardon from the President (he was actually exonerated in 1906).
In 1902, Zola died while writing due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a stove. It is said that theories of assassination by the military or anti-Semites are still whispered to this day.
Watching this movie, I thought there were parts that are relevant to the modern day.
People who were shouting "Kill Dreyfus, kill him!" are later shouting "Long live Dreyfus!" This is a scene that depicts the stupidity of the masses. The masses are those who follow the trend of the times. They are very easily manipulated by those who try to control them.
What stays in my heart is the final scene. To his wife who says, "It's late, please go to sleep," Zola says, "Just a little more. I'll sleep after I write a little more." The wife's affectionate expression as she worries about her husband, unable to close the door and staring at his back, is wonderful. If he had left his study at this time, Zola would not have died. My heart ached as I sensed the wife's grief.