Open ClassicCINEMA
Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1709

Lady Godiva

19119.5 minUnited States
Drama

Synopsis

Lady Godiva asks her husband to lift a tax that is impoverishing Coventry. He agrees only if she rides unclothed through the town, making her concern for its people a test of courage and dignity.

Watch the film ↓
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs
9:29
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · J. Stuart Blackton, director of this Vitagraph Studios film · Public domain

Cast

DirectorsJ. Stuart Blackton

Inspirations

Vitagraph follows the medieval legend through Alfred Tennyson's poem Godiva. The story is presented as legend, rather than verified evidence of an actual ride.

Behind the scenes

The production used Vitagraph's Brooklyn studio and yard. Framing and choreography kept the ride within the conventions of an early historical tableau.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 22, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Audience rating

Loading ratings…

Keep exploring

Collection