“Set in Russia during the reign of Catherine II, Rudolph Valentino plays Vladimir Dubrovsky, a young lieutenant in her majesty's imperial guard. He becomes a hero when he rescues Mascha (Vilma Banky) from her runaway carriage. He spurns the advances of the Queen (Louise Dresser) and discovers that his father has been robbed and murdered by a vicious landowner. He abandons his military post and becomes an outlaw known as the Black Eagle, a Russian 'Robin Hood'. Directed by Clarence Brown, The Eagle is not only one of Valentino's most inventive and subtle pictures, it is also one of his funniest. Humor abounds in this film from first frame to last.” – 2006 Kansas Silent Film Festival
The silent film program at the Walter Reade Theater is made possible through the generosity of the Ira M. Resnick Foundation.
