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Amazon.com's Price: $39.95 Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0617311672392
Format: Black & White, Dolby, DVD-Video, Silent, Special Edition, Subtitled, NTSC
Label: Flicker Alley
Manufacturer: Flicker Alley
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Flicker Alley
Region Code: 1
Release Date: June 01, 2004
Running Time: 315 minutes
Sales Rank: 48282
Studio: Flicker Alley
Theatrical Release Date: 1916
Editorial Review:
Description:
Flicker Alley presents JUDEX, an important part of cinema history now available for the first time. This remarkably inventive and dreamlike French serial by the great Louis Feuillade represents a highlight in French filmmaking and has inspired generations filmmakers since its first release in 1917. One of cinema's first 'superheroes,' the mysterious Judex (René Cresté) is torn between an oath of justice against the wealthy banker Favraux (Louis Leubas), who had earlier wronged his family, and his secret love of Favraux's daughter, Jacqueline (Yvette Andreyor). This framework is the basis of a series of extraordinary and engaging incidents involving Judex's brother (Edouard Mathe), the evil Diana Monti (Musidora) and her accomplices, the detective Cocatin (Marcel Levesque), and the charming Licorice Kid (Bout-de-Zan), all of them regular players in Feuillade's grand tapestries. Enjoy this brand new digital edition of what the Village Voice declared as 'one of the most lithe, charming, inventive, and supplely paced serials ever made.'
DVD Features:
• The most complete version of the film currently available presented in its entirety in a newly tinted film transfer • A brand new English language translation • A new digitally recorded orchestral score by the renowned silent film composer Robert Israel
Special Bonus Features:
• New booklet essay by noted film historian Jan-Christopher Horak • The Music of Judex – Robert Israel discusses his process
For creating the music score in an 18-minute featurette
Credits: Directed by Louis Feuillade Screenplay by Arthur Bernede and Louis Feuillade Cinematography by André Glatti and Léon Klausse Production Design by Robert-Jules Garnier Original Serial released by Gaumont Co. Ltd., France (1917)
Cast: René Cresté, Edouard Mathé, Musidora, Yvette Andréyor, Marcel Lévesque, Louis Leubas, Jean Devalde, René Poyen, Gaston Michel, Yvonne Dario, Olinda Mano, Georges Flateau, Lily Deligny, Juliette Clarens
Amazon.com:
Occupying a delicious place between Victorian melodrama and superhero comic books, Judex is one of the great serials from the career of French movie pioneer Louis Feuillade. From his castle lair high above the countryside, mystery man Judex (granite-faced Rene Creste) seeks to protect the lovely Jacqueline, while nursing a secret hatred for her fatcat father. Multiple kidnappings, assassination attempts, and narrow escapes follow; much of the mischief is orchestrated by wicked temptress Diana Monti (Musidora, the star of Feuillade's Les Vampires). There's also a delightfully overwhelmed detective (Marcel Levesque), who's a sort of prototype of Monsieur Clouseau, and a streetwise Artful Dodger known as the Licorice Kid.
On DVD, the serial's 12 episodes and prologue are smartly tinted and feature a lively orchestral score by Robert Israel. Feuillade's use of real locations (both Paris and the Riviera figure prominently in the action) gives the film a realistic freshness that cuts wonderfully against the flamboyant plotline. When Feuillade's serials were re-discovered in the 1940s, they proved influential to a generation of filmmakers, and Georges Franju actually did a feature-length remake of Judex in 1963. Indeed, the figure of Judex remains a powerful fantasy protector: his secret lair, his disguises, his complete moral authority (although a cynic might point out that he doesn't always do a good job of protecting his ladylove--but then there'd be no cliffhangers). For all intents and purposes, Judex is Batman. He even has the cape. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A captivating and enchanting viewing experience
This is an exceptionally outstanding 2-DVD set which already rates highly just for its presentation of excellent notes and an informative 20-minute documentary on the making of the musical score, but this unusual French serial already stands alone as a great work of early cinema deserving all five stars. Made during my favourite period of the silent era, namely the mid to late 1910s, "Judex" strikes me as being far ahead of other films made in the same year, not to mention something of a novelty ... Read More
Rating: - JUDEX
This was an excellent production by Louis Feuillade! I had seen it on Turner Classic Movies once, and decided I MUST have this movie!
It is a fantasy/comedy/drama/romance all bundled in one! René Cresté gave an excellent preformance as our superhero, Judex, aka Jacques de Tremeuse. His character was very well-rounded.
René Poyen gave an outstanding performance as The Licorice Kid -- street-savvy, yet adorable!
And, of course, Musidora gave a chilling performance ... Read More
Rating: - Great fun!
This was such fun to watch!
As an admitted comic-book geek, it was great to see the similarities and influence the charater of Judex had with Batman.
(A secret lair, disguises and hidden identities, gadgets...)
I hadn't heard of this series until just recently, but I was familiar "Les Vampires" by Feuillade. (another great serial to watch if you haven't yet!)
While it's very campy at times, at others it's very touching. Especially when Judex thinks he's lost his secret love due to his ... Read More
Rating: - The Power of the Music
I would like to emphasize how wonderfully Robert Israel's musical score complements Feuillade's images and the superb performances of his actors. So many silent films on video or DVD are weakened by ineffective scores, but not this one. To me, the score of Judex represents the gold standard for silent film music, to which all should aspire but few, lamentably, will attain.
Rating: - Amazing!
What an amazing movie! It's hard to believe that it was created almost 90 years ago. I would also highly recommend the 5-movie 2-DVD Fantomas set available in region 2 from amazon.fr mentioned in another review. Simply amazing!
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