gavin6942 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.The character of Black Eagle, interestingly enough, does not exist in the original Pushkin novel and was inspired by the performance of Douglas Fairbanks as Zorro in "The Mark of Zorro". ("The Eagle" is also notable in cinematic history for its famous extended tracking shot of the food-laden table in the banquet scene.) This is the sort of film that made Valentino famous, because who doesn't want to see him as a sort of swash-buckling hero? Heck, he buckles the swash with the best of them.

MissSimonetta Though The Sheik (1921) and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1920) are more iconic, and The Son of the Sheik (1926) seems to be the fan favorite, I believe The Eagle (1925) is Rudolph Valentino's finest performance and all-around film. It does nothing to revolutionize film nor is it what you would call "high art," but TE is, in my opinion, a masterpiece of Hollywood escapism with its strong characters, great action, and sparkling comedy set in an art deco re-imagining of the Russia of Catherine the Great.Valentino has a reputation for being a nostril-flaring lover, but I find more often than not, he was usually subdued in his approach, though his characters obviously possess a lot of passion. He's in fantastic form here, juggling roles as an action hero, lover, and light comedian. He might have been sexier in his final film, The Son of the Sheik, but here, he gets to show off a lot more of his comedic talent, which was woefully underused in many of his films. Valentino also gains the perfect leading lady in the spirited and beautiful Vilma Banky. The two make a sexy and incredibly adorable on screen pair, and they would be paired again in The Son of the Sheik. The standout among the supporting cast is Louise Dresser as Catherine the Great. She wrings out a lot of power and comedy in her unfortunately brief part.Clarence Brown is, of course, excellent in the director's chair. He and the cinematographer Georges Barnes bring a lot of artistic touches to this lightest of films. The two scenes which always stand out for me cinematically are the tracking shot across the dinner table and the bit right after the condemned Valentino marries Banky in his cell. The two are embracing in medium shot, and the hands of the prison guard off to take Valentino to his execution and the priest who married the lovers emerge from off-screen to gently pry them apart.If you've never seen a silent film, then TE is a good place to start. Its story is simple but with just enough depth of character to keep you interested and the comedy is smart, not dated in the least. For veteran silent film fans, this is essential.

Space_Mafune Russian lieutenant Vladimir Dubrovsky (Rudolph Valentino) vows vengeance against a man named Kyrilla (James A. Marcus) after Kyrilla used treachery to steal Dubrovsky land, which left his father a dying, ruined man. Eventually hiding his face under a mask and assuming the identity "The Black Eagle", he and his band of followers set out to bring down Kyrilla. However Dubrovsky has even more reason to hide his face because having offended the Czarina of Russia by spurning her affections, she has issued a warrant for his arrest dead or alive for desertion from his regiment. Further complicating Dubrovsky's plans is he unexpectedly winds up falling in love with Kyrilla's daughter Mascha (Vilma Bánky).Well it's certainly unpredictable, you have to say that. This one certainly has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing what might befall our hero next. Valentino it cannot be denied is excellent in the lead role as an heroic bandit with irresistible charm. This does deliver romance and some tense moments for our ill-fated lovers. The problem here is that really "The Black Eagle" never quite seems to deliver the goods when it comes to action, his most impressive moments firing a shot at a key moment and as expected coming to the rescue of his damsel in distress time and time again. Also the ending doesn't quite seem to ring true given previously established events in our story. Still certainly not bad of its type, just a straightforward romantic adventure, almost fairytale-like, in a fashion.

loza-1 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?