Judex

Having thrilled audiences with Les Vampires and Fantômas, Louis Feuillade was denounced by the wartime Minister of the Interior for the dark and dispiriting nature of his serials, celebrating the deeds of criminals. Consequently, this 12-part adventure is less compelling than its predecessors, although Feuillade continues to make atmospheric use of his locations and René Cresté cuts a dash as the count who assumes a crime-fighting disguise to avenge the death of his father, who took his life after being ruined by ruthless Favraux (Louis Luebas). A sequel, La Nouvelle Mission de Judex (1917) was a disappointment, as was a 1933 feature version, directed by Feuillade's son-in-law, Maurice Champreux.