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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 1: Dictée du bordereau (arrestation de Dreyfus). Star Film 206. |
1899: Screening the news story of the Century.
Stephen Horne at the grand piano.
Introduce Mariann Lewinsky.
Viewed at Sala Mastroianni, Bologna, Il Cinema Ritrovato, 25 June 2019.
Mariann Lewinsky (Il Cinema Ritrovato): "It is a well known fact that in 1894 a French court-martial wrongly convicted capt. Alfred Dreyfus of treason. He was sentenced to solitary confinement for life on Devil’s Island. Even after a forger of evidence had both confessed and committed suicide and the real culprit had been found, the army refused to review the judgement until it was forced to do so by the Supreme Court in 1899. In the retrial Dreyfus was again found guilty, with the military tribunal preferring to repeat a miscarriage of justice rather than admit it. There was then a public outcry and Dreyfus was immediately offered a pardon by the French president."
"Luke McKernan has investigated how filmmakers recorded the Dreyfus affair and turned it into entertainment: “Georges Méliès documented the Dreyfus affair creating a multi-part drama that demonstrated great fidelity to genuine incident and appearance. […] He did not consider filming actuality – he got nearer to his idea of the truth through dramatic recreation. He took great care to replicate locations, using newspaper illustrations and photographs as reference, and employing performers who looked like the leading players in the real-life drama. […] Biograph’s major contribution to the Dreyfus affair […] are effectively news reports filmed outside the courtroom at Rennes during Dreyfus’ second trial […]. The films are extraordinary to witness, not just because they document the actuality, but because they do so with a camera style that comes across as all too modern. This is the inquisitive news camera, eagerly gazing on history in the making, making us news voyeurs, as we urge the camera to give us whatever glimpse it can of the personalities involved. […] The most remarkable achievement was to capture a few seconds of Dreyfus in his prison yard […] snatched by the ingenuity of the operator”.
"As space only allowed us these two short quotations, we recommend you read the full, excellent report on thebioscope.net." (Mariann Lewinsky)
The American Biograph at the Palace • Capt. Alfred Dreyfus • Amann, the Great Impersonator • L’Affaire Dreyfus.
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| The American Biograph at the Palace. |
The American Biograph at the Palace.
Prod.: British Mutoscope & Biograph. 35 mm. D.: 1’. Year: 1899. Country: Gran Bretagna. Copy from EYE
AA: A fun opening: a Dreyfus film poster appears on the cinema wall.
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| Capt. Alfred Dreyfus. |
Capt. Alfred Dreyfus.
Prod.: French Mutoscope & Biograph. 35 mm. D.: 8’. Year: 1899. Country: Francia. Copy from EYE.
AA: Tableaux from the Dreyfus affair. The arrival of the carriage. The mass of curious observers, all wearing hats. La prison militaire. Visual quality: ok at times slightly high contrast, or low contrast.
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| Amann, the Great Impersonator. |
Amann, the Great Impersonator.
Prod.: British Mutoscope & Biograph. 35 mm. D.: 45’’. Year: 1899. Country: Gran Bretagna. Copy from EYE.
AA: The marvellous impersonator in less than a minute changes into various dramatis personae in the Dreyfus affair, including Zola and Dreyfus himself.
L’Affaire Dreyfus.
Prod.: Star Film. DCP. D.: 15’. Director: Georges Méliès. Year: 1899. Country: Francia. Copy from CNC.
English Wikipedia: A listing of L'Affaire Dreyfus installments
"The table below gives each installment's chronological order (#), numbering in Star Film catalogs (SFC), English release titles for the US and UK, original French title, and length in meters (m), as well as the individual scene summaries from the catalog released on 1 November 1899 by the Warwick Trading Company, the only known British firm to sell all eleven installments of the series."
Episodes of The Dreyfus Affair
# SFC English title(s) French title m
1 206 Dreyfus Court Martial—Arrest of Dreyfus (US) / Arrest of Dreyfus, 1894 (UK) Dictée du bordereau (arrestation de Dreyfus) 20
"Du Paty de Clam requests Captain Dreyfus to write as he dictates for the purpose of ascertaining whether his handwriting conforms to that of the Bordereau. He notices the nervousness of Dreyfus, and accuses him of being the author of the Bordereau. Paty de Clam offers Dreyfus a revolver, with advice to commit suicide. The revolver is scornfully rejected, Dreyfus stating that he had no need for such cowardly methods, proclaiming his innocence. His arrest is immediately ordered by M. Cochefort."
NOT SHOWN:
2 216 The Degradation of Dreyfus (US) / The Degradation of Dreyfus in 1894 (UK)[a] / La Dégradation 20
"Shows the troops ranging in a quadrant inside the yard of the Military School in Paris. The Adjutant, who conducts the degradation, reads the sentence and proceeds to tear off in succession all of the buttons, laces, and ornaments from the uniform of Captain Dreyfus, who is compelled to pass in disgrace before the troops. A most visual representation of this first act of injustice to Dreyfus."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 3: La Case de Dreyfus à l'île du Diable. Star Film 207. |
3 207 Devil's Island—Within the palisade (US) / Dreyfus at Devil's Island—Within the palisade (UK) La Case de Dreyfus à l'île du Diable 20
"The scene opens within the Palisades, showing Dreyfus seated on a block meditating. The guard enters bearing a letter from his wife, which he hands to Captain Dreyfus. The latter reads it and endeavours to talk to the Guard, who, however, refuses to reply, according to strict orders from his Government, causing Dreyfus to become very despondent."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 4: Dreyfus mis aux fers (la double boucle). Star Film 208. |
4 208 Dreyfus Put in Irons (US) / Dreyfus Put in Irons—Inside Cell at Devil's Island (UK) Dreyfus mis aux fers (la double boucle) 20
"Showing the interior view of the hut in which Dreyfus is confined. The scene takes place at night, showing the moon through the window of the cell. Two guards stealthily approach the cot upon which Dreyfus is sleeping. They awake him and read to him the order from the French minister–M. Lebon–to put him into irons, which they proceed at once to accomplish. Dreyfus vigorously protests against this treatment, which protests, however, fall on deaf ears. The chief sergeant and guards before leaving the hut, inspect the four corners of same by means of a lantern."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 5: Suicide du colonel Henry. Star Film 209. |
5 209 Suicide of Colonel Henry (US, UK) Suicide du colonel Henry 20
"Shows the interior of the cell of the Prison Militaire du Cherche-Midi, Paris, where Colonel Henry is confined. He is seated at a table writing a letter, on completion of which he rises and takes a razor out he had concealed in his porte-manteau, with which he cuts his throat. The suicide is discovered by the sergeant of the guard and officers."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 6: Débarquement de Dreyfus à Quiberon. Star Film 210. |
6 210 Landing of Dreyfus at Quiberon (US) / Landing of Dreyfus from Devil's Island (UK) Débarquement de Dreyfus à Quiberon 20
"A section of the port Haliquen (Quiberon) Bretagne, at night where Dreyfus was landed by French marines, and officers after his transport from Devil's Island. He is received by the French authorities, officers, and gendarmes, and conducted to the station for his departure to Rennes. This little scene was enacted on a dark rainy night, which is clearly shown in the film. The effects are further heightened by vivid flashes of lightning which are certainly new in cinematography."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 7: Entrevue de Dreyfus et de sa femme (prison de Rennes). Star Film 211. |
7 211 Dreyfus Meets His Wife at Rennes (US) / Dreyfus in Prison of Rennes (UK) Entrevue de Dreyfus et de sa femme (prison de Rennes) 20
"Showing room at the military prison at Rennes in which Dreyfus the accused is confined. He is visited by his counsel, Maître Labori and Demange, with whom he is seen in animated conversation. A visit from his wife is announced, who enters. The meeting of the husband and wife is most pathetic and emotional."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 8: Attentat contre Me Labori. Star Film 212. |
8 212 The Attempt Against the Life of Maitre Labori (US) / The Attempt Against Maitre Labori (UK) / Attentat contre Me Labori / 20
"Maître Labori is seen approaching the bridge of Rennes in company with Colonel Picquart and M. Gast, Mayor of Rennes. They notice that they are followed by another man to whom Colonel Picquart calls Labori's attention. They, however, consider his proximity of no importance, and continue to speak together. As soon as their backs are turned, the man draws a revolver and fires twice at Maître Labori, who is seen to fall to the ground. The culprit makes his escape, pursued by Colonel Picquart and M. Gast."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 9: Suspension d'audience (bagarre entre journalistes). Star Film 213. |
"During an interval in the proceedings of the court martial, the journalists enter into an animated discussion, resulting in a dispute between Arthur Meyer of the 'Gaulois', and Mme. Severine of the 'Fronde', resulting in a fight between Dreyfusards and Anti-Dreyfusards, in which canes and chairs are brought down upon the heads of many. The room is finally cleared by the gendarmes."
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| Georges Méliès: L’Affaire Dreyfus Part 10: Le Conseil de guerre en séance à Rennes. Star Film 214-215. |
10 214–215 The Court Martial at Rennes (US, UK) / Le Conseil de guerre en séance à Rennes 40
"A scene in the Lycee at Rennes, showing the military court-martial of Captain Dreyfus. The only occupants of the room at this time are Maître Demange and secretary. Other advocates and the stenographers now begin to arrive and the sergeant is seen announcing the arrival of Colonel Jouaust and other officers comprising the seven judges of the court-martial. The five duty judges are also seen in the background. On the left of the picture are seen Commander Cordier and Adjutant Coupois, with their stenographers and gendarmes. On the right are seen Maître Demange, Labori, and their secretaries. Colonel Jouaust orders the Sergeant of the Police to bring in Dreyfus. Dreyfus enters, saluting the Court, followed by the Captain of Gendarmerie, who is constantly with him. They take their appointed seats in front of the judges. Colonel Jouaust puts several questions to Dreyfus, to which he replies in a standing position. He then asks Adjutant Coupois to call the first witness, and General Mercier arrives. He states that his deposition is a lengthy one, and requests a chair, which is passed to him by a gendarme. In a sitting position he proceeds with his deposition. Animated discussion and cross-questioning is exchanged between Colonel Jouaust, General Mercier, and Maître Demange. Captain Dreyfus much excited gets up and vigorously protests against these proceedings. This scene, which is a most faithful portrayal of this proceeding, shows the absolute portraits of over thirty of the principal personages in this famous trial."
NOT SHOWN:
11 217 Dreyfus Leaving the Lycée for Jail (US) / Officers and Dreyfus Leaving the Lycee (UK)[b] / Dreyfus allant du lycée de Rennes à la prison 20
"The exterior of the Lycee de Rennes, where the famous Dreyfus Court-Martial was conducted, showing the French staff leaving the building after the sitting, and crossing the yard between the French soldiers forming a double line. Maîtres Demange and Labori also make their appearance, walking towards the foreground of the picture, and at length Captain Dreyfus is seen approaching, being accompanied by the Captain of Gendarmes, who is conducting him back to prison." (English Wikipedia)
AA: I saw for the first time Georges Méliès's L'Affaire Dreyfus. If it has been screened in Italian film heritage festivals before, I have missed it. The Dreyfus cycle has been published in Méliès dvd box sets and it is also available on YouTube, but I do not have a habit to view early cinema on home formats.
It has always been a cause for pride for cinéastes that the cinema's first artist was a Dreyfusard. It is interesting to notice that the word "Jew" is never mentioned in this film series.
The wizard of magic here displays his talent in factual reconstruction in a sober account of the most inflammatory news case of the day. There is an austere dignity in Méliès's tableaux. A vigorous immediacy of action is on display in Suspension d'audience (Star Film 213).
Two films were missing from this digital transfer from CNC: La Dégradation (Star Film 216) and Dreyfus allant du lycée de Rennes à prison (Star Film 217). Some views (such as 206 and 210) feel slowed down. The digital transfer has been conducted from sources that are at times badly damaged.
...
PS. A superior blog article by Fritzi Kramer on Georges Méliès's L'Affaire Dreyfus (Movies Silently, 30 June 2019).
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