#710: FRANJU, Georges: Judex (1963)

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FRANJU, Georges (France)
Judex [1963]
Spine #710
Blu-ray


This effortlessly cool crime caper, directed by Georges Franju, is a marvel of dexterous plotting and visual invention. Conceived as an homage to Louis Feuillade's 1916 cult silent serial of the same name, Judex kicks off with the mysterious kidnapping of a corrupt banker by a shadowy crime fighter (American magician Channing Pollock) and spins out into a thrillingly complex web of deceptions. Combining stylish sixties modernism with silent-cinema touches and even a few unexpected sci-fi accents, Judex is a delightful bit of pulp fiction and a testament to the art of illusion.

97 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in French
1:66:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2014
Director/Writers


Based on the 1916 film series Judex, directed by Louis Feuillade.
Adaptation and dialogue by Jacques Champreux and Francis Lacassin.
Georges Franju was 51 when he directed Judex.

Other Franju films in the Collection:

#260: Eyes Without A Face (1960)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Forty page booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien, along with a selection of commentary by Franju.

Commentary

None.

Interview 1

From 2007 with cowriter Champreux.

Interview 2

From 2012 with actor Bergé.

Franju le visionnaire

A fifty-minute program from 1998 on Franju’s career.

Two short films

By Franju: Hôtel des Invalides (1951), about the Paris military complex and Le grand Méliès (1952), about director George Méliès.

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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