The Judge and the Assassin

The Judge and the Assassin (Le Juge et l'Assassin) is a 1976 French drama and crime film directed by Bertrand Tavernier, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jean Aurenche and Pierre Bost. Set in 1890s France, it follows the capture of a possibly deranged ex-soldier after a trail of rapes and murders, a character inspired by the historical serial killer Joseph Vacher.

The story centers on the ambitious judge who befriends the prisoner and leads him into incriminating himself. Starring Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Michel Galabru and Jean-Claude Brialy, the 128-minute film won two César Awards in 1977.