The Eternal Sin (1917)
Gennaro, the son of Lucretia Borgia, lives unaware of the identity of his mother, who has married the Duke of Ferrara. After Lucretia's brother is killed by five conspirators, the fathers of Gennaro's dearest friends, Lucretia tortures the old men to death. Later, Gennaro and his companions journey to Lucretia's domain, and she sees her son for the first time. The Duke, who believes him to be her lover, poisons him, but Lucretia administers the antidote in time and saves his life. Then she schemes to poison her sons' five friends for their fathers' mistake.
Director: Herbert Brenon
![]() |
Florence Reed as Lucretia Borgia |
![]() |
William E. Shay as The Duke of Ferrara |
![]() |
Stephen Grattan as Lucretia's Brother |
![]() |
Richard Barthelmess as Gennaro |
![]() |
Alex Shannon as Rustighello |
![]() |
A.G. Parker as Maffio |
![]() |
M.J. Briggs as Astolpo |
![]() |
Edward Thorne as Jeppo |
![]() |
Elmer Patterson as Liverretto |
![]() |
Tony Merlo as Petrucci |
![]() |
Henry Armetta as The Jester |
![]() |
William Welsh as Gubetta |
![]() |
Juliet Brenon as Blanca |
![]() |
Jane Fearnley as Princess Negroni |
![]() |
Henrietta Gilbert as Flametta |
![]() |
Charles Ray Howard as |
| Writing | Victor Hugo | Writer |
| Crew | George Fitch | Technical Advisor |
| Editing | James C. McKay | Editor |
| Crew | J. Roy Hunt | Cinematography |
| Crew | David Calcagni | Cinematography |
| Writing | George Edwardes-Hall | Writer |
| Writing | Herbert Brenon | Writer |
| Directing | Herbert Brenon | Director |