Betrayal is the dominant theme of "The Judas Tree". DeMille was inspired to create the film after reading "The Judas Tree" by Neil Swanson. The Judas Tree is a 1961 novel by A. J. Cronin. It is loosely based on the novel, "The Judas Tree", by A.J. Cronin. Renwick both wrote and directed "The Judas Tree", while Rosemary McGowan served as producer. The Judas Tree at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. "The Judas Tree" is the twenty-seventh episode of the British crime drama series "Jonathan Creek".