An Officer and a Spy

An Officer and a Spy

Year: 2019

Runtime: 132 mins

Language: French

Echo Score: 78

Budget: $25M

ThrillerHistoryDramaPolitics and human rightsPowerful poetic and passionate drama

In 1894, French Captain Alfred Dreyfus is wrongfully convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Devil’s Island penal colony.

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Timeline & Setting – An Officer and a Spy (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of An Officer and a Spy (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1894-1907

The story unfolds across the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the Dreyfus Affair. It begins with Dreyfus' conviction in 1894 and spans years of investigation, public debate, and political maneuvering, culminating in pardons, reforms, and eventual rehabilitation. The timeline centers on the clash between truth, justice, and institutional power within a divided French society.

Location

Paris, Devil's Island, Rennes

The action moves between Parisian streets and the remote penal colony of Devil's Island, where Dreyfus is exiled. Devil's Island is depicted as a harsh, isolated outpost, a stark backdrop to the military miscarriage. Rennes serves as the scene for pivotal hearings and public contestation of justice, amid political pressure and media scrutiny.

🏛️ Paris 🏝️ Devil's Island 🌍 France

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:21

Main Characters – An Officer and a Spy (2019)

Meet the key characters of An Officer and a Spy (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Alfred Dreyfus (Louis Garrel)

A French army captain and Jewish officer who becomes the victim of a biased system. He endures exile to Devil's Island as the state fabricates guilt. His enduring resilience highlights the corrosive power of prejudice and the stakes of wrongful punishment.

⚔️ Military 🗺️ Historical 🕊️ Tragedy

Georges Picquart (Jean Dujardin)

Former teacher turned head of the Deuxième Bureau, he detects irregularities in the Dreyfus case. He confronts senior officers and a hostile institution to pursue truth. His persistence tests personal risk, career, and loyalty to country.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigation ⚖️ Duty 🗳️ Politics

Émile Zola (André Marcon)

A fearless writer who champions Dreyfus and exposes the case’s irregularities. His public stand, including the J'accuse article, galvanizes reform-minded factions. He embodies the power and peril of intellectual courage.

🗞️ Literature 🗳️ Activism 🧭 Courage

Lucie Dreyfus (Swan Starosta)

Wife of Dreyfus who stands by her husband through scandal and exile. She becomes a symbol of personal sacrifice and steadfast support amid public scrutiny. Her presence humanizes the political struggle.

💑 Family 🛡️ Support 💫 Resilience

Ferdinand Esterhazy (Laurent Natrella)

The real author of the contested bordereau, shielded by certain military elements. His existence as the true culprit underlines the systemic attempt to scapegoat Dreyfus. He represents the entrenched protectors of the flawed narrative.

🏴‍☠️ Betrayal 🗡️ Fraud 🧭 Power

Alphonse Bertillon (Mathieu Amalric)

A graphologist whose initial assessment linked the bordereau to Dreyfus, fueling the conviction. His role illustrates how expert opinion can be instrumentalized within a flawed system. Reassessment challenges the early conclusions.

🧪 Science 🧭 Bias 🧠 Expertise

Maître Labori (Melvil Poupaud)

Dreyfus's defense lawyer who fights to reopen the case and secure a fair trial. He faces political pressure and risks to his own safety. His courtroom efforts emphasize legal vigilance and advocacy.

⚖️ Law 🗣️ Advocacy 🧭 Courage

Maître Leblois (Vincent Perez)

A prominent defense lawyer who helps organize the rehabilitation campaign for Dreyfus. He negotiates the delicate balance between public pressure and legal strategy. His role underscores the importance of persistent legal outreach.

⚖️ Law 🗳️ Strategy 🗣️ Advocacy

General Gonse (Hervé Pierre)

An army officer aligned with the defense of the established order. He resists reopening the case, signaling institutional resistance to reform. His stance highlights how authority can impede justice.

🏢 Military 🗡️ Authority 🛡️ Guard

General de Pellieux (Laurent Stocker)

A senior military figure involved in the case's handling at the upper echelons. He embodies the pressure points within the chain of command that impede transparency. His involvement reflects the broader political dynamics at play.

🏛️ Power 🗺️ Command ⚖️ Duty

Maître Demange (Denis Podalydès)

A courtroom attorney who participates in the broader defense and legislative dialogue surrounding the Dreyfus affair. He contributes to legal arguments and the public discourse. His presence adds to the tapestry of legal minds challenging the status quo.

⚖️ Law 🗣️ Debate 🧭 Integrity

Captain Calmont (Franck Mercadal)

A military figure who appears within the procedural and battlefield settings of the case. His actions reflect the military culture surrounding the affair. He helps illustrate how the chain of command responds to controversy.

🏰 Military 🧭 Structure 🗣️ Influence

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:21

Major Themes – An Officer and a Spy (2019)

Explore the central themes of An Officer and a Spy (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The narrative centers on a miscarriage of justice and the fight to correct it. Picquart's investigation challenges official narratives and biased processes. The film shows how truth, due process, and legal defense intersect with politics and prejudice.

🕵️ Investigation

Picquart uncovers irregularities in the dossier, revealing that the bordereau was not authored by Dreyfus. He faces institutional pushback, anti-Semitism, and career risk as he pursues the truth. The investigation becomes a test of personal integrity and professional duty.

🗞️ Public Debate

The affair mobilizes writers, journalists, and intellectuals who challenge the state's narrative. Zola's J'accuse and petition campaigns expose corruption and sway public opinion. The media becomes a battleground between truth and political convenience.

🕊️ Redemption

Over time the case moves toward exoneration and partial rehabilitation, culminating in formal acknowledgment and political shifts. Dreyfus' plight and Picquart's courage catalyze reforms and redefine national perspectives on justice and humanity.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:21

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