Rose of Blood (1917)

Synopsis of Rose of Blood

Theda Bara's next film after the blockbuster Cleopatra was this tale of the Russian revolution -- a timely subject, since the aristocracy had literally just been overthrown when the picture commenced filming. Lisza Tapenko (Bara) is governess in the household of Prince Arbasoff (Charles Clary). After the death of his wife, Lisza and he become involved, but because of the difference in social station he refuses to marry her. Lisza's former lover, Vassya (Richard Ordynski), convinces her to join the revolution and she goes off to the group headquarters in Switzerland. But the prince's little boy begs to have Lisza come back, so he goes after her and marries her. From then on Lisza leads a double life, princess on one hand and devoted revolutionary on the other. She marks her successful assassination attempts with a red rose. The day comes, finally, when she is ordered to kill her own husband. Lisza obliges, but she chooses to die with the prince. On a side note, the film was banned in Chicago because censors feared that it might inspire U.S. citizens to overthrow the government! ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Director(s):

J. Gordon Edwards

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