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Judex (1916 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Judex' is the title of a 1916 silent French film serial concerning the adventures of Judex, who is a pulp hero, similar to The Shadow, created by Louis Feuillade and Arthur Bernde.

Plot



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. It is eventually revealed that Judex's real identity is Jacques de Trmeuse, a man trying to avenge his family ruined by Favraux. 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.

Cast



*Ren Crest - Jacques de Tremeuse a.k.a. Judex

*Musidora - Diana Monti aka Marie Verdier

*Ren Poyen - Le mme Rglisse

*douard Math - Roger de Tremeuse

*Gaston Michel - Pierre Kerjean

*Yvonne Dario - Comtesse de Tremeuse

*Yvette Andryor - Jacqueline Aubry

*Juliette Clarens - Gisle

*Jean Devalde - Robert Morals

*Georges Flateau - Vicomte de la Rochefontaine

*Louis Leubas - Le banquier Favraux

*Marcel Lvesque - Cocantin

*Olinda Mano - Le petit Jean

Production



Development

Feuillade had made two earlier serials, 'Fantmas' 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 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 - which was lavishly outfitted with high-tech gadgets. His secret identity - Judex (Latin for 'judge') - was the 'nom-de-guerre' he adopted in his quest for revenge. While 'Judex' was derivative of 'Fantmas' and 'Les Vampires', its story, with the hero's quest for revenge, bore many similarities with 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.

Casting

Judex was played by French matinee idol Ren Crest and Diana was played by Musidora, who had previously played the villainess Irma Vep in 'Les Vampires'.

Episodes



These are the episode titles in French (with English translation)

* 00 - Prologue

* 01 - L'ombre mystrieuse (The Mysterious Shadow)

* 02 - L'expiation (Atonement)

* 03 - La meute fantastique (The Fantastic Hounds)

* 04 - Le secret de la tombe (The Secret of the Tomb)

* 05 - Le moulin tragique (The Tragic Mill)

* 06 - Le mme rglisse (The Licorice Kid)

* 07 - La femme en noir (The Woman in Black)

* 08 - Les souterrains du Chteau-Rouge (The Dungeons of the Chateau Rouge)

* 09 - Lorsque l'enfant parut (When the Child Appears)

* 10 - Le coeur de Jacqueline (The Heart of Jacqueline)

* 11 - L'Ondine (The Water Sprite)

* 12 - Le pardon d'amour (The Forgiveness of Love)

* xx - Epilogue - 5 min. 24 sec.

The twelve numbered episodes average 25 minutes in length each.

Release



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 1916-1918.

A sequel serial was released in 1918 titled 'Judex's New Mission' ('La Nouvelle Mission de Judex').

See also



* Judex

* 'Judex' (1934 film)

* 'Judex' (1963 film)

* List of film serials

* List of film serials by studio

References






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