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 Trémeuse, 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.
On May 16, 1916, novelist Arthur Bernède pitched director Louis Feuillade a concept for a 12-part cinematographic novel, which would be simultaneously serialized in text and film, with story revisions by Feuillade.[1]
Feuillade had made two earlier serials, Fantômas and Les Vampires, about cunning criminals. Though popular with audiences, the serials drew criticism for glorifying outlaws. Judex, by contrast, was a heroic persona, but one who had all of the sinister trappings of the flamboyant villains who were popular at the time.
The first text episode of Judex was published in the January 12, 1917 issue of Le Petit Parisien, a week before the film debut on January 19, 1917. Each text episode was published before the corresponding film episode, which built up anticipation. The text episodes ran from January 12 to April 6, 1917, and the film episodes ran from January 19 to April 7, 1917.[1]
The international release of the serial was delayed until late 1917 in Europe, while a North American release didn't occur until the National Film Theatre arranged a screening in February 1965.[4]
A sequel serial titled La Nouvelle Mission de Judex (lit. "New Mission Of Judex," or The Further Exploits Of Judex in Europe[5]) ran in Le Petit Parisien from January 11 to April 4, 1918, and the film episodes ran from January 25 to April 15, 1918.[1]
^"National Film Theatre Will Focus On Famous Films". The Intelligencer. December 10, 1964. p. 27. In February, the National Film Theatre will present the first North American screening of Louis Feuillade's 1916 feature, Judex.
