Judex Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray release of Georges Franju's "Judex," presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, is notable for its exquisite 1080p transfer. The 2K digital restoration conducted on an ARRISCAN film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative yields impressive results. Image stability is commendable, devoid of large cuts, damage marks, debris, or warps. The black and white contrast levels are stable throughout, providing a balanced grayscale without any enhancing artifacts or compromising degraining. Furthermore, the night sequences exhibit fluidity and depth, enhancing the atmospheric quality of Franju's vision. Minor fluctuations in natural light do not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience.

The restoration process involved meticulous care, utilizing MTI's DRS for removing dirt, debris, and scratches while Digital Vision's Phoenix handled flicker, jitter, grain management, and minor dirt removal. Supervised by Lee Kline, the work ensures that even close-ups showcase strong depth despite some minor grain fluctuations. The consistent presence of welcome grain provides a sense of depth and adheres to the era's visual quality, maintaining fidelity to the source material without sacrificing the fine detail inherent to silent-film aesthetics. While a small number of segments display residual lines and slight screen flicker, the restoration's cleaning efforts significantly reduce dust particles and scratches, presenting the film in a form that honors its original intent.

Overall, this Blu-ray transfer of "Judex" is characterized by technical excellence and a respect for historical accuracy, which will satisfy both long-time fans and new viewers alike. Criterion's efforts ensure a strong and convincing presentation that is a true asset to any collector’s library.

Critics uniformly laud the audio presentation of "Judex" on Blu-ray, emphasizing the solid craftsmanship behind its French LPCM 1.0 track. Criterion's meticulous restoration process ensures that audio fidelity is retained with remarkable clarity and stability. Dialogue is consistently clean and easily distinguishable, unmarred by pops, cracks, background hiss, audio dropouts, or distortions. The monaural track is both expressive and balanced, delivering sharp dialogue and rich tones that amplify the distinctive qualities of the actors' voices.

Sound effects, particularly unique incidents like the sequence where Favraux kills the old man with his car, benefit greatly from the lossless treatment, contributing to nuanced dynamics that allow the Oscar-winning Maurice Jarre's score to shine. With no discernible signs of digital enhancement or film artifacts, the soundtrack breathes deeply, providing a dynamic range that defies the limitations of its age. While there are minimal instances where balance issues arise early in the film, these are promptly corrected and do not recur.

Overall, despite its monaural roots and vintage, the audio quality of "Judex" stands resilient and robust. By retaining the film's original aesthetic in both sound and vision, Criterion has delivered a superior auditory experience enriched by meticulous clean-up efforts. The result is an audio track that resonates deeply with expressive fidelity, well-balanced sonic elements, and a surprising dynamism for a film of this era.

The extras included in the Blu Ray of "Judex" offer a comprehensive and insightful look into both the film itself and the illustrious career of its director, Georges Franju. Through interviews with key actors and collaborators, such as Francine Bergé and Jacques Champreux, fans gain an inside perspective on the unique production elements and storied history of "Judex." Moreover, the documentary content, including "Franju le Visionnaire," provides an extensive exploration of Franju’s filmography and artistic influence. Both historical short films, "Le Grand Méliès" and "Hôtel des Invalides," add further depth to this robust collection, showcasing Franju's versatility and command over different cinematic styles. These extras collectively enrich the understanding and appreciation of Franju’s works and his contributions to French cinema.

Extras included in this disc:

• Francine Bergé: An interview recollecting her role as Anna and anecdotes from the filming.
• Jacques Champreux: Discussing his collaboration with Franju and stories from the original serial.
• Franju le Visionnaire: Documentary on Franju's life and legacy featuring clips from his films.
• Le Grand Méliès: Biographical film about cinematic illusionist Georges Méliès.
• Hôtel des Invalides: A short film documenting the history of the Hôtel des Invalides.

Georges Franju's 1963 film Judex is an exceptional homage to Louis Feuillade's 1916 serial, offering a fascinating blend of surrealism and pulp fiction. The story follows Judex (Channing Pollock), a shadowy avenger threatening the corrupt banker Favraux (Michel Vitold) with retribution unless he returns his ill-gotten fortune. The plot also weaves in Jacqueline (Edith Scob), the banker's daughter who renounces her inheritance, and Diana (Francine Berge), the sinister governess aiming to steal the wealth. Franju embraces the silent film era aesthetic through meticulous use of filters, period-accurate filming techniques, and intertitles, creating a film that nostalgically harks back to a bygone cinematic era.

The film exudes a unique atmosphere, amplifying its mysterious tone with striking visual elements such as bird masks at a masquerade ball and fantastic sound effects that could rival late '70s or early '80s sci-fi films. Maurice Jarre’s moody soundtrack further enhances this ambiance. Channing Pollock is cast perfectly as Judex, remaining enigmatic while appearing only sparingly. Franju's stylistic choices lean towards expressionism and camp, particularly in Diana's villainous one-note performance and Pollock’s stoic portrayal of the hero. This deliberate contrast highlights Franju's meta-narrative approach, pushing the eponymous character to the periphery in favor of developing the alluringly evil Diana.

The movie’s fragmented narrative echoes the episodic structure of Feuillade's original serial, allowing the viewer's imagination to fill in gaps. Franju’s emphasis on exaggerated body language and his reluctance to delve into the characters' inner workings result in performances that juxtapose heightened expressiveness with understated subtlety. The film revels in its pulp roots while also serving as a nostalgic homage, crafting a richly textured cinematic experience that nods to both its silent era inspirations and contemporary sensibilities. Judex thus stands not only as a revision of a classic tale but also as an original piece that acknowledges and celebrates its pulp origins.

Georges Franju's "Judex" emerges as an homage to Louis Feuillade’s 1916 serial, yet with discernible influences from "Fantomas," resulting in a stylistically rich crime drama imbued with surrealistic superhero elements. The film's inherent campiness and pulp sensibilities intersect with unexpected sci-fi features, presenting a revenge narrative that shifts the focus from its protagonist to a captivatingly sinister femme fatale. This dark, poetic film stands out not only for its stylistic choices but also for its adherence to older cinematic techniques, contributing to its unique and compelling nature.

The recent 2K restoration in France has significantly enhanced the visual and auditory experience of "Judex," now available on Blu-ray with a high-definition transfer that looks nothing short of magnificent. Despite never being truly obscure on home video, this release revitalizes the film, especially for Georges Franju aficionados. Beyond the stunning restoration, the Blu-ray includes an impressive array of special features, ensuring an engaging and comprehensive viewing experience for both long-time fans and new audiences alike.

In conclusion, the newly restored "Judex" on Blu-ray is a must-have. Its darkly poetic narrative, combined with its aesthetic homage to seminal works and excellent restoration quality, positions it as an essential addition to any film enthusiast's collection. Highly recommended.