For a good chunk of his output in 1899, Georges Méliès committed himself to creating a series of short films detailing the events of the Dreyfus Affair political scandal, which was still progressing in France as the series was made. The serial, centering around Capt. Alfred Dreyfus who was accused of writing treasonous letters and discharged as a result, flared up the public which had already been divided into two groups: the Dreyfusards and the Anti-Dreyfusards (Méliès was one of the former). In the end, censorship was the answer--theater owners couldn't handle the disputes that the serial caused during showings. Thus, "The Dreyfus Affair" is now considered the first censored political movie.
"Dreyfus Court Martial--Arrest of Dreyfus" is episode one in this film serial and could be better described by its French title, which translates to "The Dictation of the Bordereau". Captain Dreyfus (portrayed by an iron-worker who's identity remains unknown) is led onto shot, while Lieut. De Paty du Clam instructs him to write to see if his handwriting matches that of the Bordereau. Believing him to be guilty, De Paty du Clam gives Dreyfus a revolver with which to commit suicide, but Dreyfus refuses and is then arrested by M. Cochefort.
Méliès's commitment to realism is always very impressive and it's particularly so in this installment. Everything is as accurate as possible, from the well-drawn set to the French uniforms. Audiences at the time have been said to have thought each scene to be a true documentation of the real events, and it's easy to see why. All the decor looks somewhat fake now, of course, but for the time the acting and screenplay are top-notch.
"Dreyfus Court Martial--Arrest of Dreyfus" is episode one in this film serial and could be better described by its French title, which translates to "The Dictation of the Bordereau". Captain Dreyfus (portrayed by an iron-worker who's identity remains unknown) is led onto shot, while Lieut. De Paty du Clam instructs him to write to see if his handwriting matches that of the Bordereau. Believing him to be guilty, De Paty du Clam gives Dreyfus a revolver with which to commit suicide, but Dreyfus refuses and is then arrested by M. Cochefort.
Méliès's commitment to realism is always very impressive and it's particularly so in this installment. Everything is as accurate as possible, from the well-drawn set to the French uniforms. Audiences at the time have been said to have thought each scene to be a true documentation of the real events, and it's easy to see why. All the decor looks somewhat fake now, of course, but for the time the acting and screenplay are top-notch.
