Eagle in a Cage (1972)

1815. A soldier becomes the governor of St. Helena and jailer of Napoleon. High brow.

Director:

Fielder Cook

Writer:

Millard Lampell (screenplay)

Stars:

John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Billie Whitelaw

Cast

Credited cast:
John Gielgud	...	Lord Sissal
Ralph Richardson	...	Sir Hudson Lowe
Billie Whitelaw	...	Madame Bertrand
Kenneth Haigh	...	Napoleon Bonaparte
Moses Gunn	...	General Gourgaud
Ferdy Mayne	...	Count Bertrand
Lee Montague	...	Cipriani
Georgina Hale	...	Betty Balcombe
Michael Williams	...	Barry O'Meara
Hugh Armstrong	...	English soldier
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Athol Coats	...	Sentry (as Athol Coates)

Storyline

1815. A soldier becomes the governor of St. Helena and jailer of Napoleon. High brow.

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Plot Keywords:

napoleon | clock | empire fashion | 1800s | year 1815 | 

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Taglines:

He Was The Conqueror!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein gewisser General Aparte

Filming Locations:

Yugoslavia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Group W, Ramona

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Connections

Remake of Eagle in a Cage (1965)

User Reviews

As my dad used to say, Not Bad. Not bad at all.

Gielgud is billed as the star, but he doesn't show up until the last part of the movie, and he appears in just a couple scenes. Nevertheless he chews up the scenery, especially in his scenes with Ralph Richardson. The two of them have a rip-roaring time the few brief moments they appear together. And this with scenes that, in the hands of lesser actors, you'd barely notice. I kept imagining how wonderful if there had been more of their handiwork to be seen in this movie.

There is a lot of top-drawer talent on display here, and they do justice to the interesting and literate screenplay by blacklisted writer Millard Lampell. Despite all this talent, it's difficult to call this a truly superior film. There's nothing to complain of, really, and, in fact, overall I liked it. It's just that without the historical context, there isn't much of a story. Perhaps that's an unfair criticism, given the unique and fascinating circumstance of Napoleon in exile. But a lot of other human dynamics are introduced into this situation that don't seem to add up to all that much.

The movie held my attention well enough, but it wasn't until Gielgud showed up that I realized how much was lacking. If you're a Napoleon buff, or a fan of Gielgud, Richardson, or Billie Whitlaw, this is worthwhile. If you're not, you may find it a bit of a disappointment.

Another reviewer notes that this is the most difficult movie on Napoleon to find. I saw it as part of a 50 DVD Movie Pack "War Classics." The print they transferred was in terrible condition, almost shockingly so. The movie deserves better.