L'Apache (1919)

Natalie Bourget, an American living in Paris, is married against her will to Jean Bourget, the brutal leader of the Paris "Apache" underworld. At a cabaret, Jean compels Natalie to perform an Apache dance, during which Harrison Forbes and his American mistress, Helen Armstrong, notice Natalie's strong resemblance to Helen. The latter's life, under Forbes' corrupting influence, has become so dissolute that she is too ashamed to face her grandfather, Professor Armstrong, recently arrived from America to visit her. After Natalie agrees to take her place, Helen drowns herself, and the same night, Jean robs and murders Forbes. Professor Armstrong introduces Natalie, posing as Helen, to Otis Mayne and the two fall deeply in love, but their happiness is disrupted when Natalie is charged with Forbes' murder. During the trial, Jean is shot while fleeing the police, but while he is dying, he confesses that he slew Forbes. Exonerated, Natalie embraces Otis.—AFI