Theodora (1914 film)

Theodora is a 1914 French silent historical drama film directed by Henri Pouctal and starring Sarah Bernhardt. The film is based on the 1884 play Théodora by Victorien Sardou, which was written for and starred Bernhardt on the stage.

The film depicts the life of Theodora, a former courtesan who becomes Empress of Byzantium through her marriage to Emperor Justinian. The narrative follows Theodora's rise to power, her political maneuvering, and her ultimate confrontation with her enemies. Key plot points involve her defense of the Monophysite Christian sect and the Nika riots.

While a significant undertaking for its time, featuring elaborate sets and costumes, Theodora is primarily remembered today for being one of the few surviving film appearances of Sarah Bernhardt, a legendary stage actress. Due to the limitations of early cinema technology and Bernhardt's aging appearance, the film does not fully capture the charisma and power of her stage performances. However, it remains a valuable historical document of a pivotal figure in theatre history.

The film was produced by the Société des Films d'Art and distributed internationally. It is considered a classic example of early historical epics in cinema.