PRIZE WINNER, 1963
BY UNANIMOUS JURY DECISION
Judex...
It's a Latin word meaning 'judge' or 'upholder of the law'
I know. Thank you
This judge seems more like a swindler to me
I didn't think anyone would dare to blackmail me any more
I don't understand what it is that this Judex wants
He's not asking for anything for himself and usually...
Don't be so naive, Vallières
If I give in and show I'm afraid, then the real blackmailing will begin
We shall see. On a more serious note...
...did the bank phone with the closing price in New York?
Yes, sir. It was as you predicted
Come in
Sir, a Mr Cocantin is asking to see you
- He says you're expecting him - That's right. Show him in
- Good timing - Mr Cocantin
Let me introduce myself, sir. Alfred Cocantin, private detective
I run an agency called Celeritas...
...that I took over from my uncle, the late Mr Regaudet...
...decorated for services to education... Him, not me...
- Sit down - Thank you, sir
- Mr...? - Mr Vallières, my secretary
I have already had occasion to call upon...
...the services of your predecessor...
...and I was very satisfied
- I hope I will find the same with you - Rest assured that...
Let me tell you what this is about
Tomorrow we celebrate both the bank's 21 st anniversary...
...and the engagement of my daughter to Viscount Amaury de la Rochefontaine
A lot of people will be at the château
I'm counting on you to stop any indiscretions being committed...
...by staff employed for the occasion...
...or by certain people, business acquaintances...
...who I am obliged to invite
Naturally, you will pass for one of our guests
Mr Vallières will explain all the details to you...
...and you can inform him of your conditions
I will introduce you right away to my daughter
That way you will have the run of the house
And while you are at it, try and find out who wrote this letter
It's no doubt some servant's idea of a joke
Vallières, come over here
"Mr Favraux, I order you to atone for your sins...
"...by handing over half of your fortune to your victims
"You have until six o'clock tomorrow evening...
"...to comply
"Signed Judex"
Judex?
Phone Marco at the Rio Pinto. Tell him to sell off all available funds
Make sure people know it's the Favraux Bank that's selling
In three days, we'll buy everything back for next to nothing
I think I'm going to be giving myself a nice birthday present
Come now, my dear Cocantin. Let's go and get a breath of spring air
- I insist on speaking to Mr Favraux! - I have no time for charity
I'm not asking for charity
You don't recognise me, do you?
A spell in prison changes a man
- My name is Pierre Kerjean - Never heard of you
You weren't so proud at your trial
You promised to make me a rich man...
...if I kept my mouth shut and served your sentence for you
You promised to keep an eye on my family while I served my time
My wife died destitute and my son has disappeared
And you did nothing
So now, Favraux, you will help me find my son
Do you hear me? Otherwise, like it or not...
...I can still talk - This man is crazy
Give him 40 sous and send him away
Come along, old boy
My dear Jacqueline, let me introduce Mr Cocantin
He's our guest tomorrow
Mr Cocantin, let me introduce my daughter, Mrs Aubry
Mr Favraux has told me the news of your engagement
I am honoured to be among the first to congratulate you
Thank you, sir
Ah, here is my granddaughter, Alice
- Say hello to the gentleman, darling - Hello
Hello, young lady. I know a little girl called Alice
- Like me - Yes
She was in her garden one day, and what did she see run past?
A rabbit dressed in a lovely blue suit
The rabbit stopped in front of Alice, without seeing her
He took out his watch and said...
- The rabbit had a watch? - Yes, a gold one on a chain
Like Grandpa
Excuse me, madam. I've come to take Alice for her lesson
Mr Cocantin, let me introduce Miss Verdier...
...my granddaughter's governess
Pleased to meet you
Go with Miss Marie and be a good girl
Goodbye, my darling
Show the gentleman over there to his room
Very good, sir
I don't understand
I went to make enquiries early this morning, as you asked
That vagabond died last night. He never recovered consciousness
He died in hospital where passers-by who found him had taken him
And no one suspects you
"Not content with dishonouring people, you must also murder them
"If by midnight tonight you have not carried out my orders...
"...you will be mercilessly punished
"Judex"
- Have you murdered someone? - What?
This letter says...
Mr Cocantin, let me remind you, you are not here on vacation...
...to tell stories about rabbits and watches
But sir, I...
Quiet. You have until this evening to find out who wrote these letters
- Goodbye - Very well
Her father is making her remarry
She was quite unhappy the first time round
He married the poor girl off too young
Favraux must like the sound of de la Rochefontaine for a son-in-law
This engagement is most convenient. Apparently he's completely broke
De la Rochefontaine probably can't wait to come and sleep in this bed!
No, Mr Favraux, I will never be your mistress
Marie, I need you desperately. Will you be my wife?
I will marry you straight after Jacqueline's wedding
My fortune will be yours
I'm not the sort of woman you can buy
"Will you walk a little faster?" Said a whiting to a snail
"There's a porpoise close behind us And he's treading on my tail
See how eagerly the lobsters And the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle - Will you come and join the dance?
What sort of head will Favraux have had made for himself?
A vulture's head
My dear friends...
...I would like to announce some great and happy news
Tonight not only are we celebrating...
...the culmination of 20 years of effort...
...and real dedication...
...which has allowed the Favraux Bank to prosper...
...and extend its activities to most branches of industry
We are also celebrating the engagement...
...of my daughter Jacqueline...
...to Viscount Amaury de la Rochefontaine
My joy is all the greater...
With the great happiness that I feel at this moment...
I'm a doctor, let me through
He is dead
Diana!
TH E N IGHT AFTER FAVRAU X'S FU N ERAL...
Mr Favraux died at the exact time indicated in Judex's second letter
The coincidence is extremely troubling
I think this is merely a coincidence and that's why I didn't say anything
I felt it was my duty to warn you
Mrs Aubry will decide for herself what action to take
Madam
Mr Cocantin...
...I am sure I don't need to ask you to ex ercise the utmost discretion
I am sure you will be bound by professional secrecy
You can count on me, sir
Vallières, we must alert the police
No, madam, it's impossible
Why?
Madam... these letters spoke the truth
Show me proof
I only stayed in your father's employ...
...to try to put right, in so far as my limited means would allow me to...
...the mistakes I had been powerless to prevent
Favraux's fortune, like that of many others...
...has its origins...
...in the Panama scandal
Your father was once a lowly bank clerk
And...
...fate put him in possession...
...I would rather not tell you why...
...of some documents that were very compromising...
...for certain high-ranking politicians and financiers
Thanks to these documents...
...he had no trouble getting the necessary funds...
...to permit him to carry out his first major business deals
As early as 1882...
About time
It will take three days
Follow the doctor's instructions to the letter...
...and do not leave him unguarded for a moment
My dear Jacqueline, the gentleman is right
Do not insist. I have given it a lot of thought
I am giving up my father's inheritance
All I ask is that my daughter's share be kept for her until she comes of age
I am giving you a free hand
Thank you
My humble respects, madam
But this is madness. Why?
Since the question of inheritance seems to be of such great concern to you...
...it's only fair to give you the chance to go back on your word
Do as your feelings dictate
In that case, allow me to take back my freedom
Sir's luggage has been loaded onto the carriage outside
Sir is free to leave whenever he wishes to
Thank you, Fernand. Goodbye
Goodbye, sir
Madam, I have come to take my leave of you
Goodbye, Vallières
Thank you for everything
I remain devoted to you. Do not hesitate to call if you need me
Thank you, Vallières
You are my only friend
I am going to feel very Ionely
Little Alice only left yesterday
I am missing her already
And I am worried about her
You mustn't worry. Marie-Jeanne is a wonderful person
She adores the little one
And Loisy isn't that far away
I know
I suppose all mothers are like me
Goodbye. Come and see me from time to time. I'd like that
I'll write to you to give you my new address
Goodbye, madam
Well, well. The Favraux widow
Please. That's not funny
If you only knew how it felt to leave the château with my wages in my bag...
...like a servant, when I was practically the mistress of the house
Don't be angry. I was only joking. Do you think I want this?
He could at least have married you and conked out afterwards
Get your hands off me. This is not a good time
- Save yourself for tonight - What are we doing tonight?
- Going back to the château - What?
Listen, in his office are some documents worth their weight in gold
We've never seen a haul like it
Have a look in there
Hello! Hello!
Hello? Hello?
Speak normally or you'll regret it
Jacqueline, help!
Help me, my dear!
Answer me, Jacqueline. Jacqueline!
Marie Verdier...
Get the chloroform!
Let's take her with us. That will give us time to get her to talk
My toolkit
"If anyone threatens you, set these pigeons free
"I will rush to your aid. Yours vigilantly, Judex"
That was Favraux's voice on the phone. I'm sure of it
It might've been a hoax
What about the dogs?
And Judex's threatening letters to Favraux?
Are they hoax es, too?
What if Favraux is still alive, imprisoned by Judex?
Wouldn't it be worth trying to find him?
My marriage would suit you, too
Think about it. If Favraux marries you, assuming we can find him...
...when Jacqueline tells him what you did to her last night...
She won't bother me for long
Once I know what's happened to her father...
It won't be long now
What do you intend to do?
I need two strong men
Go and warn Pierrot and Léon
Tonight the four of us will gather at Favraux's grave
WHAT WAS ONCE FAVRAU X'S GRAVE...
Favraux!
BAN KER FAVRAU X...
...I HAD CON DEMN ED YOU TO DEATH
YOU R D AUGHTER'S ACTIONS HAVE S AVED YOU R LI FE
I COMMUTE YOU R S ENTENCE TO LI FE IMPRIS ONMENT
J U DEX
Where is he? I want to talk to him
Later. You're still too weak. You've had a near escape
No thanks to him. If you hadn't picked me up in time...
He might know something about my son
I was wondering that, too, when I was pulling him out of the grave
Just as I thought. Favraux has vanished
- First we must find Jacqueline - How will you do that?
She left her child in the care of her nanny
I'll get the address from the nanny
Your turn
Come in
A telegram for you, Mrs Aubry
Thank you
Mrs Vivier
My daughter has just had a serious accident
The nanny has sent me word. I must go
It might not be as serious as all that
I'll look after the little one
There she is
She fell for the telegram
Over to you now, Pierrot. Have you got it?
Room number 20, third floor
Grab any papers bearing Favraux's name...
...and any that talk about banks or money
We'll pick up the rest on a trip to the country
Got it. If I meet anyone, I'll say I'm there for the plumbing
A pigeon has just arrived
Kerjean will take you to Loisy
Check nothing has happened to Marie-Jeanne Bontemps...
...who looks after a girl called Alice
Get the other car ready for me. I'm going to Paris
Are you feeling unwell, madam? Here, lean on me
This woman doesn't look well at all, Sister. Can I offer you my car?
Thank you, sir. We'll take her to the clinic where I work
Poor woman. She doesn't look well
- These townswomen aren't healthy - How true
- She's not sinking - We should have put a stone in with her
I want to see where she goes
Ship ahoy!
There's someone in the water
Mister! Mister!
There's someone in the water!
Quick, go and get help!
Let's hope she's dead, at least
Follow them and verify it
- Is she dead? - No, she fainted
Take her away to play. This is not a sight for your eyes
Telephone Marville for an ambulance right away
I'm on my way
Get up
Help, help, help!
It's the same woman
- What's going on? - This old banger!
- What's wrong with it? - I don't know. It's broken down
Have you seen an ambulance pass, coming from Loisy?
No more than half an hour ago. It went that way
Thank you
Keep an eye on the cars. I'll take a look around
Do you think there's anyone inside?
Look, it's deserted. We'll be better off here than on the road
Go and get the van and come back for us
All right, all right. It's quite a walk, you know
Stop!
Kill him. He saw me
No!
My name is Pierre Kerjean
That ring used to be mine. I gave it to my wife the day of my arrest
You are my father
Traitor!
- I'm so glad you came - Rather late in the day
Judex, this is my son. I have forgiven him
- Where are the others? - The woman's in there
Break down the door
Two men drove you here
They said they knew of my devotion to your family
You were delirious. They left without further explanation
The youngest of them said his name was Judex
Judex...
Who are you?
Where is Vallières?
Stay away from me
Don't be afraid. I am Vallières
But my daughter...
Why isn't she here?
She is safer in Loisy where my men are watching over her
Your men?
Judex...
Listen to me, I beg you
I am not your enemy. You must know that
Leave me alone. You killed my father
No, Jacqueline, he's alive
Alive?
Yes, I wanted to kill him
I could have done it without arousing any suspicion
But I wasn't able to
Because of you
BUT WHAT BEC AME OF DETECTIVE COC ANTI N?
"The coffin was empty
"With a cry of rage, the two nuns recoiled...
"...as the coffin fell to the ground
"'Who are you? ' Cried out one of the nuns...
"...as she suddenly threatened the other with a gun
"The other nun also brandished a gun
"'Drop the masks! ' she said imperiously
"With their left hands, the two nuns pulled off their headdresses
"Cries of hatred escaped their lips
"'Juve! Fantômas!"'
What is it now?
Sir, this kid...
Cheeky!
Detective Cocantin, please
That's me, kid. What do you want to tell me?
This woman here is the nun who kidnapped Alice's mother...
...in the ambulance
When the real nurses came back to the village, they were a mess
Alice said it was her governess and...
Marie-Jeanne knew you were...
- What are you again? - I'm a detective
Yes. She said you were a detective...
...and you were at Alice's mother's château when she was rich
I'm not following your story. Wait...
That's Mrs Aubry and Miss Verdier
- Leave us, please - Yes, go away
Try to be a bit clearer
What's the connection between Miss Verdier and this kidnapping?
That's Alice's governess. It was on Marie-Jeanne's mantelpiece
She's the nun in the ambulance who took Alice's mother away after she drowned
What's all this about nuns?
You're sure about the address?
I'm telling you, Marie-Jeanne said it was here
I was so happy with you
Why did this have to spoil everything?
You know I still love you, don't you? Nothing has changed for me
No, it's over
I won't be able to trust you any more
We can start over. We can forget about all this
Leave me alone
Can't you see I'm unhappy and don't want to see you any more?
Leave me and go
Go and find your darling daddy since he means so much to you
My father told me where Favraux is
I know how to get to him
It's her
See you tomorrow. We'll take the Côte des Moines
From tomorrow morning I'll be tailing you, sweetheart
- Me, too - No, you stay at my place
This could be dangerous. Come on
Careful. I'm being followed
- I don't understand - Oh, it's Mr Cocantin
The detective wants to know what's going on. Let's take him with us
Keep an eye on him, Mora. I'll hide the car
Get out
THAT E VEN I NG, THAN KS TO J U DEX...
...J ACQ U ELI N E WENT TO FI N D H ER FATH ER
Don't waste time saying anything
Go straight to Loisy and round up some men. Await my orders there
Come with me, Cocantin
Your father has been kidnapped
I promised I'd get him back to you and I will keep my promise
- Is that all you heard? - Just the name of the town
I think he was talking about a house that's about to be pulled down
It must be here
Where's he appeared from?
- Well, well! - What are you doing here?
I came with the crooks. I know where they are
- Come on, get in - I hid in the boot. They're over there
That's where they are
They've locked themselves in. Call Loisy and tell them where we are
Call Loisy
We'll go into hiding for a while
When Judex has lost all trace of you, you can reappear
You will get your name and your fortune back
My brother and I will help you. You will be rich and powerful again
No, my dear Marie, that's impossible
My alleged death suits too many people...
...some of them quite influential
I'm ashamed to admit it, but... I was hated
If I came back, I would not stay alive for long
There is too much at stake
All I ask for is to live...
...a free man and to be left alone with my daughter and granddaughter
Mr Favraux, you once asked me to marry you
I only hesitated because of your vast fortune
Now... I can say yes
Marie... Marie...
Judex...
He won't have come alone
The others might already be inside or on the roof. Go and see
Mr Favraux, it could be a long night
Get some rest. There's a bed next door
What about you, Marie?
Don't worry about me. I'll keep watch here with my brother
When I get tired, you can come and take over
Morales is a coward
He'd drop me the first chance he got
I don't want him any more
I need a man like you
Favraux knows some things that are worth a fortune
I know how to get him to talk
Think of what we could do together
You and I...
Your loss, you fool!
It's to stop him shouting out. Come next door
D AIS Y'S CI RC US
Daisy!
Cocantin!
Stop!
- I'm so happy to see you again - Come this way
You know my uncle, the lion tamer, that brute who wanted me to be happy?
Well, the lions ate him
- Now I'm free - Oh, Daisy
What are you doing here?
I'm waiting for a friend who is up there and in danger
But you must help him
I can't. I'm no acrobat
He's lucky he can sleep
I'm telling you, we should get away from here
His men could find us any minute
We'll end up trapped in this place
You might be right
Get the car and bring it round to the door leading onto the waste ground
Judex...
Stop!
Hands up and don't move
One move and you're dead
You'll never get me again, Judex, never
For the last time, Favraux, give yourself up
If not, I'll break the door down
A HOMAGE TO LOUIS FEUILLADE
IN MEMORY OF AN UNHAPPY TIME
THE END