The Eagleis a 1925 Americansilentdrama filmdirected byClarence Brownand starringRudolph Valentino,Vilma Bánky,andLouise Dresser.[1]Based on the posthumously published 1841 novelDubrovskybyAlexander Pushkin,[2]the film is about a lieutenant in the Russian army who catches the eye of Czarina Catherine II. After he rejects her advances and flees, she puts out a warrant for his arrest, dead or alive. When he learns that his father has been persecuted and killed, he dons a black mask and becomes an outlaw. Black Eagle does not exist in the novel and was inspired by the performance ofDouglas FairbanksasZorroinThe Mark of Zorro.[3]
| The Eagle | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Clarence Brown |
| Written by | Hans Kraly George Marion Jr. |
| Based on | Dubrovsky byAlexander Pushkin |
| Produced by | John W. Considine Jr. Joseph M. Schenck |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Hal C. Kern |
| Music by | Michael Hoffman Carl Davis Lee Erwin |
Production company | Art Finance Corporation |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent(Englishintertitles) |
Plot
editVladimir Dubrovsky (Valentino), a Lieutenant serving in the Imperial Guard of the Russian army, comes to the notice of theCzarina(Louise Dresser) when he rescues Mascha (Vilma Bánky), a beautiful young lady, and her aunt trapped in a runaway stagecoach. He is delighted when the Czarina offers to make him a general, but horrified when she tries to seduce him. He flees and the Czarina puts a price on his head.
Soon afterwards, he receives a letter from his father informing him that the evilnoblemanKyrilla Troekouroff (James A. Marcus) has taken over his lands and is terrorizing the countryside. Hurrying home, Vladimir learns that his father has died. Vowing to avenge his father and help the victimized peasantry, he adopts a black mask and becomes the Black Eagle, aRobin Hoodfigure. Discovering that Kyrilla is Mascha's father, he takes the place of a tutor who has been sent for from France, but not previously seen by anyone in the household. Vladimir is thus able to become part of Kyrilla's household.
As Vladimir's love for Mascha grows, he becomes more and more reluctant to continue seeking revenge against her father, and the two eventually flee the Troekouroff estate. Vladimir is captured by the Czarina's men, but the Czarina, once determined to have him executed, has a last-minute change of heart, and she allows Vladimir, given a new French name, and Mascha to leave Russia for Paris.
Cast
edit- Rudolph Valentinoas Lt. Vladimir Dubrovsky
- Vilma Bánkyas Miss Mascha Troekouroff
- Louise DresserasThe Czarina, Catherine 2nd
- Albert Contias Captain Kuschka
- James A. Marcusas Kyrilla Troekouroff
- George Nicholsas Judge
- Carrie Clark Wardas Aunt Aurelia
- Spottiswoode Aitkenas Dubrovsky's Father (uncredited)
- Agostino Borgatoas Priest (uncredited)
- Mario Carilloas Marcel Le Blanc, French Tutor (uncredited)
- Gary Cooperas Masked Cossack (uncredited)
- Jean De Briacas Small Role (uncredited)
- Otto Hoffmanas Man Who Gets Purse Stolen (uncredited)
- Eric Mayneas Official Asking for Signature (uncredited)
- Russell Simpsonas The Eagle's Lieutenant (uncredited)
- Mack Swainas Innkeeper (uncredited)
Reception
edit
Valentino's last few films had not been particularly well received, butThe Eagleproved a strong comeback for him, gaining good reviews from the critics and a success at the box-office - although it was not as successful as his next movie,Son of the Sheik.[4]
The Eagleis remembered for its extendedtracking shotof the food-laden table in the banquet scene.[citation needed]
The film is recognized byAmerican Film Institutein these lists:
- 2001:AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills– Nominated[5]
Preservation
editPrints ofThe Eaglecurrently exist in the film holdings of EmGee Film Library and in private film collections.[1][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcHal Erickson(2012)."The Eagle (1925)".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon November 8, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 16,2012.
- ^abc"Progressive Silent Film List:The Eagle".silentera.RetrievedSeptember 16,2012.
- ^Reid, John Howard.Silent Movies & Early Sound Films on DVD: New Expanded Edition.Lulu, 2011.ISBN9780557433353pp. 91-92
- ^Balio, Tino (2009).United Artists: The Company Built by the Stars.University of Wisconsin Press.p. 56.ISBN978-0-299-23004-3.
- ^"AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills Nominees"(PDF).RetrievedAugust 20,2016.
External links
edit
- The EagleatIMDb
- The Eagleat theTCM Movie Database
- SynopsisatAllMovie
- Lantern slide and stillsat silenthollywood
- Stillsat the Toronto Film Society website
- United Artists Pressbook
- The Eagleis available for free viewing and download at theInternet Archive