The Serpent (1920 film)

The Serpent is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film is based on the novel The Undesirable by E. Temple Thurston.

The plot centers around Vanya Orlaff (played by Bara), a Russian peasant girl who experiences brutal treatment at the hands of the aristocracy, fostering a deep-seated hatred and desire for revenge. She transforms herself into a seductive and manipulative woman who uses her allure to destroy the lives of the men who have wronged her and her family. She becomes known as "The Serpent" due to her cunning and treacherous nature.

The film, like many of Bara's productions, was known for its exotic costumes and suggestive content, contributing to Bara's "vamp" image. It featured opulent sets and dramatic lighting, typical of silent era film productions.

The Serpent is now considered a lost film, with no known copies of the complete picture existing. Fragments and stills remain, providing some insight into the film's visual style and narrative. The film's disappearance is attributed to the nitrate film stock degradation and the common practice of studios recycling film for its silver content. As such, detailed plot descriptions are derived from contemporary reviews and synopses published during its release.