The Eagle (1925)
Vladimir Dubrouvsky, a lieutenant in the Russian army, catches the eye of Czarina Catherine II. He spurns her advances and flees, and she puts out a warrant for his arrest, dead or alive. Vladimir learns that his father's lands have been taken by the evil Kyrilla Troekouroff, and his father dies. He dons a black mask, and becomes the outlaw The Black Eagle. He enters the Troekouroff household disguised as a French instructor for Kyrilla's daughter Mascha. He is after vengeance, but instead falls in love with Mascha.
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The greatest movie ever made..!
Awesome Movie
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.
Copyright 16 November 1925 by John W. Considine Jr. An Art Finance Corporation production, released through United Artists. New York opening at the Mark Strand (in the presence of Mr Valentino himself): 8 November 1925. U.S. release: 8 November 1925. 7 reels. 6,755 feet. 75 minutes. Shooting title (and indeed release title in some countries): The BLACK EAGLE. NOTES: Although it failed to reach the top of the popularity poll in the U.S./Canada (it still took excellent money), The Eagle was a sensational success in Europe and Australia. COMMENT: Great fun. Aside from the artistic opulence of its sets and costumes, the flair of the players, the invigorating suspense of the script and the stylish elegance of direction and photography, what we all like about The Eagle is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Valentino plays with just the right touches of agility, gallantry and self-deprecation. His light, graceful manner contrasts well with the more emphatic jollity of James Marcus' heavy, the self-preening immovability of Louise Dresser's implacable czarina, the suave servility of Albert Conti's captain, and above all the confident yet vulnerable innocence of Vilma Banky's heroine. The basic story is the old Hollywood ploy of a what-she-didn't-know-was, but it's given a number of clever twists here by the screenwriter Hans Kraly (borrowed from Ernst Lubitsch); and these captivating turns, as stated above, are interpreted with deliciously subtle performances by Valentino and more especially, Miss Vilma Banky (borrowed from Sam Goldwyn). All in all, with its assured mixture of suspenseful action and light humor, involving drama and sensitive, storybook romance, - plus picturesquely creative sets by Cameron Menzies and period finery by Adrian, - The Eagle is an absolute joy. AVAILABLE on DVD through Image. Quality rating: ten out of ten.
This is a very good period melodrama that also features one of Rudolph Valentino's best roles. The Robin Hood-like story combines drama, excitement, revenge, romance, and more in a well-crafted movie that is entertaining to watch. Vilma Banky and Louise Dresser head up a good supporting cast that works well with Valentino.The story setup has Valentino's character on the run from an angry Czarina, even as he is cheated out of his family possessions by a dishonest nobleman. He turns outlaw to avenge his family name, only to have everything complicated by romance. It's a good story, though a largely familiar one, and the cast and director Clarence Brown make it enjoyable.It's a good role for Valentino because it plays to his strengths and doesn't ask him to do much more. Banky is sympathetic as the daughter of the crooked Kyrilla, and Dresser does a very good job as Empress Catherine, bringing out her personal desires and her ruthless use of power. Albert Conti and James Marcus also give good performances, while Brown keeps things moving at a good pace and tells the story effectively, with an occasional lighter moment to keep things from being taken too seriously. "The Eagle" combines a good story, cast, and production values, and it works quite well.
I would say that United Artists spared no expense in bringing Imperial Russia to Hollywood. The costumes and sets are superb. The story of a young officer who becomes an outlaw after spurning Catherine the Great is excellently portrayed.In my opinion, this is the best of Valentino's films (although I liked Blood and Sand too).I need not say that Valentino is excellent. Good too is Vilma Banky, one of the best silent actresses about at the time...BUT...Earlier in the film she makes the sign of the cross the Roman Catholic way, but later, during the wedding scene, she blesses herself the Russian Orthodox way.Oversight or conversion?
Enjoyable adaptation of Russian novel for American screen with well-polished Rudolf Valentino as the former Czarist officer who extracts revenge as the "Black Eagle" against the landowner who cheated his father. Valentino performs macho acts and is not cast only as a ladies man. Excellent directing by Clarence Brown, good re-writing to fit an American audience, some tricky camera shots, and wonderful sets add to the enjoyment of this very good film. Vilma Banky sizzles as the beautiful romantic interest that makes the erstwhile thief select love over vengeance. This is the next to the last time that we see Valentino. Gary Cooper (uncredited) appears as one of the masked cossacks -- you will never find him. Recommended.