Judex ***** (1916, René Cresté, Musidora, René Poyen, Édouard Mathé, Gaston Michel, Yvonne Dario) – Classic Movie Review 12,069

Director Louis Feuillade’s 1916 French film serial Judex silent film classic narrates the adventures of The Shadow/ Batman-like crusading pulp hero Judex, and stars French matinee idol René Cresté as Jacques de Tremeuse aka Judex and Musidora as Diana Monti aka Marie Verdier.

Judex is extremely significant as the original pioneering movie example of the masterful fighter and expert at disguise superhero, complete with secret identity nickname, trademark costume, secret headquarters, high-tech gadgets, quest for revenge, origin story and a unique set of skills.

Jacques de Tremeuse, also known as the popular caped outlaw Judex (René Cresté), fights a criminal evil banker Favraux (Louis Leubas) in this vivacious, hugely successful French silent movie classic, directed in great style by Feuillade and told with great brio by writers Feuillade and Arthur Bernède in 12 episodes, which average 25 minutes (300 minutes total).

It is the most popular film of Feuillade, director of the earlier serials Les Vampires (1915–16) and Fantomas (1913-14). Musidora previously played the villainess Irma Vep in Les Vampires.

Jacques de Tremeuse adopts the secret identity of Judex (Latin for judge) in his quest for revenge.

It was made in 1914, but the outbreak of World War One delayed its release by Gaumont till 19 December 1916.

Sequel: La Nouvelle Mission de Judex [Judex’s New Mission] (serial, 1917).

It is remade as the feature films Judex in 1933 and Judex in 1963.

The serial is in the public domain.

Actually The Shadow is Judex-like. Judex is one of the inspirations for The Shadow, who was one of the primary inspirations for Batman.

The cast are René Cresté as Jacques de Tremeuse aka Judex, Musidora as Diana Monti aka Marie Verdier, René Poyen as Le môme Réglisse, Édouard Mathé as Roger de Tremeuse, Gaston Michel as Pierre Kerjean, Yvonne Dario as Comtesse de Tremeuse, Yvette Andréyor as Jacqueline Aubry, Juliette Clarens as Gisèle, Jean Devalde as Robert Moralés, Georges Flateau as Vicomte de la Rochefontaine, Louis Leubas as Le banquier Favraux, Marcel Lévesque as Cocantin, and Olinda Mano as Le petit Jean.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,069

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