Judex
Directed by Georges Franju
Adapted by Jacques Champreux and Francis Lacassin from a 1916 screenplay by Arthur Bernede and Louis Feuillade
1963/France/Italy
Comtoir Francais du Film Production/Filmes Cinematografia
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] I admit I’m much more sensitive to the scenic than the dynamic. When I was tiny I saw a fire for the first time, and afterwards I saw the façade with nothing behind. I’ve kept the vision of something very artificial and strange- a façade with nothing behind. And what was in front of it? Space..now haunted. — Georges Franju[/box]
Pure magic.
This is a remake of Louis Feuillade’s Judex serial of 1916 and is set in that era. It is full of cliff-hangers and surprises that I will try not to spoil! Banker Favraux is a thoroughly unscrupulous man. He made his millions through blackmail and is not above murder to solve his problems. He is marrying his daughter (Edith Scobe), a young widow, off to a man she does not love. He is in love with her daughter’s governess.
Before his daughter’s engagement party, he receives a letter from “Judex” (“Justice”) threatening him with dire consequences if he does not move to correct his evildoing before midnight. Favraux hires a detective to investigate the identity of the letter writer. Judex is true to his word and …
Every once in awhile I discover a film that makes my heart sing. This was one. It is a beautifully satisfying battle between good and evil. Lavish use is made of art nouveau style and there is a wonderful Maurice Jarre score. Franju captures the old style of melodrama without once going into camp. The use of both “real” and cinematic magic is delightful. I might even prefer this film to the director’s Eyes Without a Face (1960), which I also love. Highly recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1LU9WWZG5s
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