| Judex | |
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| Directed by | Louis Feuillade |
| Produced by | Robert-Jules Garnier |
| Written by | Arthur Bernède Louis Feuillade |
| Starring | René Cresté Musidora René Poyen Édouard Mathé Gaston Michel Yvonne Dario |
| Music by | Robert Israel (new score) |
| Cinematography | André Glatti Léon Klausse |
| Release date(s) | 19 January 1917 |
| Running time | 300 minutes (total) |
| Country |  France |
| Language | Silent film French intertitles |
Judex is a 1916 silent French movie serial and a pulp hero, similar to The Shadow, created by Louis Feuillade and Arthur Bernède.
Contents |
Concept
Feuillade had made two earlier serials, Fantômas and Les Vampires, about cunning criminals. Though popular with audiences, the serials both drew criticism for glorifying outlaws. Feuillade answered these concerns by creating the hero Judex, who had the sinister trappings of the flamboyant villains so popular at the time.
Judex was a mysterious avenger who dressed in black and wore a slouch hat and cloak like Aristid Bruant. This costume is strikingly similar to the costume of the American pulp hero the Shadow.
Judex anticipated later pulp heroes and superheroes in many respects. He was a masterful fighter, an expert at disguise, and boasted a secret headquarters. In the subterranean passages beneath a ruined castle Judex had a base outfitted with technological gadgets. He also had a secret identity, as Judex (the Latin word for judge) is a nom-de-guerre he has adopted in his quest for revenge.
Story
The story is complex and is told in 12 chapters. The basic plot involves a corrupt banker named Favraux, who is the target of Judex's revenge. Complicating matters is Favraux's beautiful and innocent daughter Jacqueline, with whom the avenger has fallen in love. A final element comes in the form of Diana Monti and her criminal gang who are working at cross purposes with Judex.
Judex was played by French matinee idol René Cresté and Diana was played by Musidora, who had previously played the villainess Irma Vep in Les Vampires.
In other media
Though Judex was made in 1914, the outbreak of World War I delayed its release. It was finally premiered in December 1916, and subsequently in wider release in 1917-1918.
A sequel serial was released in 1918 titled Judex's New Mission (La Nouvelle Mission de Judex). It started the same people.
A remake was made in 1934 under the same title.
Another remake was done in 1963 by director Georges Franju under the same title. The story was shortened and simplified but remained true to the original. American magician Channing Pollock was cast as the mysterious hero.
Judex appears in several stories in the anthology Tales of the Shadowmen.
Cast (in credits order)
- René Cresté ... Jacques de Tremeuse aka Judex
- Musidora ... Diana Monti aka Marie Verdier
- René Poyen ... Le môme Réglisse
- Édouard Mathé ... Roger de Tremeuse
- Gaston Michel ... Pierre Kerjean
- Yvonne Dario ... Comtesse de Tremeuse
rest of cast listed alphabetically
- Yvette Andréyor ... Jacqueline Aubry
- Juliette Clarens ... Gisèle
- Jean Devalde ... Robert Moralés
- Georges Flateau ... Vicomte de la Rochefontaine
- Louis Leubas ... Le banquier Favraux
- Marcel Lévesque ... Cocantin
- Olinda Mano ... Le petit Jean
See also
External links
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