THE EAGLE (1925) B/W "silent" 80m dir: Clarence Brown

w/Rudolph Valentino, Vilma Banky, Louise Dresser, Albert Conti, James Marcus

One of Valentino's best films, this romantic story of czarist Russia was adapted from a story by Alexander Pushkin. A young Cossack officer becomes the object of the amorous Czarina's affections. He is banished when he rejects her and becomes the dashing, Robin Hood-like bandit, the Eagle. Charmingly acted, with many light touches.

From Variety's contemporary review of the film: "Rudolph Valentino as a Russian Robin Hood of more modern times. In The Eagle, he really goes out and does some 'he-man' stuff.

"Louise Dresser as the Czarina handles herself superbly. She is the old girl of the Russians who liked the boys. Vilma Banky makes a most charming heroine opposite the star, but Louise Dresser is about as much the picture as the star himself."