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.
"Devil's Island--Within the Palisade" is episode three in this serial docudrama, following "The Degradation of Dreyfus" (now unavailable online but not lost) and preceding "Dreyfus Put in Irons". The title of the movie sets the scene for the installment, in which Dreyfus is shown, as we are told, within the palisade on Devil's Island (using an incredibly realistic, not to mention well-painted, backdrop to set the scene). Portrayed by the unidentified iron-worker who bore an uncanny resemblance to him, Dreyfus is shown to be pacing in this enclosure, meditating on a rock despondently. Soon, an officer enters and hands him a letter from his wife (this is not apparent unless you read the summary on Wikipedia) which he reads. Like others in the serial, it no doubt caused controversy because of the depressive state Dreyfus is shown in. Méliès once more proves how pro-Dreyfusard he is. Another well-made feature in the series.
"Devil's Island--Within the Palisade" is episode three in this serial docudrama, following "The Degradation of Dreyfus" (now unavailable online but not lost) and preceding "Dreyfus Put in Irons". The title of the movie sets the scene for the installment, in which Dreyfus is shown, as we are told, within the palisade on Devil's Island (using an incredibly realistic, not to mention well-painted, backdrop to set the scene). Portrayed by the unidentified iron-worker who bore an uncanny resemblance to him, Dreyfus is shown to be pacing in this enclosure, meditating on a rock despondently. Soon, an officer enters and hands him a letter from his wife (this is not apparent unless you read the summary on Wikipedia) which he reads. Like others in the serial, it no doubt caused controversy because of the depressive state Dreyfus is shown in. Méliès once more proves how pro-Dreyfusard he is. Another well-made feature in the series.
