The Eagle (1925)

A wanted Russian lieutenant becomes a masked vigilante seeking vengeance upon the man who stole his family's land, only to fall for his charming daughter.

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Alexander Pushkin (novel), George Marion Jr. (titles)

Stars:

Rudolph Valentino, Vilma Bánky, Louise Dresser

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rudolph Valentino	...	Vladimir Dubrovsky
Vilma Bánky	...	Mascha Troekouroff (as Vilma Banky)
Louise Dresser	...	The Czarina
Albert Conti	...	Kuschka
James A. Marcus	...	Kyrilla Troekouroff (as James Marcus)
George Nichols	...	Judge
Carrie Clark Ward	...	Aunt Aurelia

Storyline

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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Plot Keywords:

lieutenant | mask | revenge | tracking shot | dungeon | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | History | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 November 1925 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Adler

Box Office

Gross USA:

$323,150, 31 December 1926

Company Credits

Production Co:

Art Finance Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min 71 min (Ontario) 77 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is one of over 200 titles in the list of independent feature films made available for television presentation by Advance Television Pictures announced in Motion Picture Herald 4 April 1942. At this time, television broadcasting was in its infancy, almost totally curtailed by the advent of World War II, and would not continue to develop until 1945-1946. Because of poor documentation (feature films were often not identified by title in conventional sources) no record has yet been found of its initial television broadcast. Its earliest documented telecast was Sunday 12 September 1948 on freshly launched WJZ (Channel 7), New York City. This airing proved to be so popular that WJZ soon afterwards inaugurated a series of silent film features that eventually totaled over 20 more titles over the next 12 months. In Chicago, on Friday 22 October 1948, it was the first feature to be aired on freshly launched WENR (Channel 7).

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Goofs

The story is set during the reign of Catherine the Great, who died in 1796, but the clothing styles are much closer to those worn in the early 19th century. And at one point Vladimir lights a candle with a friction match, which weren't invented until 1826.

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Quotes

Vladimir Dubrovsky: I swear vengeance against Kyrilla and all his kin!

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Alternate Versions

Killiam Shows, Inc. copyrighted a restored, tinted and scored version in 1971, currently available on video with running time of 72 minutes. The restoration was done by Karl Malkames and the theater organ score was by Lee Irwin.

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Connections

Version of Dubrowsky, der Räuber Ataman (1921)

User Reviews

Silent film-making at its best!

This is an astonishing film, breathtakingly shot by George Barnes, which reveals how powerful the silent film could be. Like many silents this film is not about its plot but about the minutia of human behaviour and emotion. The moment when Valentino touches Banky's neck you can feel her thrill - her eyes moisten with passion. This is the kind of moment that the talkies had trouble with - words spoil the ecstasy of first touch - as many of the silent screen's great lovers found when they entered talkies. But Valentino did not live to make a talkie - and his legend is probably grateful.

He is exceptional in this period romp through the Russia of Catherine the Great. Vilma Banky matches him superbly - she has the ethereal beauty of Garbo. James Marcus is fun as the baddie, but Louise Dresser is brilliant as Catherine the Great. The scene where she attempts to "take advantage" of Valentino is extraordinary - and a great step forward for female liberation.

Combine these performances with the genius of Clarence Brown, the costumes of Adrian (which are intentionally not quite of the right period having a distinctive 1920's feel), and the production design of William Cameron Menzies and you have a masterpiece. It will surprise you at every turn, and the tracking shots are truly magnificent - especially that banquet scene! Don't miss it - and if you get the version with Carl Davis' score you are in for a real treat.