"DREYFUS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 252, 24 October 1931, Page 11

"DREYFUS."

GREAT HISTORICAL PICTURE, . The Dreyfus case Is one of the most dramatic, most poignant and most astounding of historical dramas,., and in the fine film, "Dreyfus," screened at the Civic Theatre yesterday, history passes before one's eyes in a series of scenes that one will long remember. In. the "Dreyfus" case there was much more involved than the innocence and guilt of an officer, or the honour of the army, that ideal that was followed with such fatal zeal. The very soul of France was at stake, and had truth not conquered in the end, that soul would have received a mortal wound. For France was for years rent asunder by the controversy over the conviction of this Alsatian Jew, who was an officer in the artillery, and the political consequences were profound. The amazing story of Dreyfus' conviction on absurdly inadequate evidence —really ' because guilt had to be fastened on somebody, his public degradation, imprisonment in the hell of Devil's Island; the doubts of Colonel Picquart as to the justice of the verdict; the determination of the army chiefs to shut Picquart's mouth; Esterhazy's guilt and acquittal; the championing of Dreyfus by Zola and Clemenceau; the farce of the second court-martial; and Dreyfus' ultimate restoration to rank and honour—all this makes a powerful story that grips the audience from start to finish. The adapters of the drama for the film have followed history closely, and except that the end seems rather "huddled," and the audience would probably have liked to see something adequate happen to the infamous Esterhazy, have done their work very well. The staging is effective — one may notice the contrast between the Paris scenes and those in Devil's Island —and situation after situation moves the onlooker. The acting is admirable. Dreyfus himself is not so prominent as wo might have expected, but he is finely played by Cedric Hardwicke. The actor's restraint in Dreyfus' martyrdom is very impressive. George Merritt is fascinating as Zola, the great writer, -who threw himself heart and soul into the struggle for truth and justice, and there is an artistic contrast between his method and the more fiery oratory of Dreyfus' famous counsel, Maitre Labori, admirably played by Sam Livesey. Among the" many French officers, Colonel Picquart, splendidly played by Charles Carson, stands out by its dignity and , power. "Dreyfus," a British International film, is another triumph for English producers and actors.

The Film Society recommends "Dreyfus" as "a great historical and human document presented by a group of distinguished actors under brilliant directorship, satisfying at once to the artistic taste and to that inherent sense of rectitude and justice on which all true civilisation is based."

The supporting programme at the Civic includes the latest Universal newsreel, a knockabout farce in which Daphne Pollard is the "star," and beautiful items by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir. The Londonderry Air was a lovely item. Mr. Howard. Moody plays Spanish aire on the organ and on the stage Dolores gives two graceful Castilian dances. . '