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

In the scene where the camera moves along the banquet table, the table used had to be specially designed to move apart so that the camera could travel backward.

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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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Connections

Version of Dubrovsky (1936)

User Reviews

Puskin meets Valentino meets Zorro/Robin Hood

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.