The Eagle

"The Eagle" is a 1925 silent film, directed by Clarence Brown, which stars the legendary Rudolph Valentino alongside Vilma Bánky and Louise Dresser. This film loosely adapts Alexander Pushkin's novel "Dubrovsky" into a tale of romance, adventure, and vengeance set in Imperial Russia. Valentino plays a dashing lieutenant in the Russian army who catches the attention of Czarina Catherine II. When he spurns her advances, he becomes the target of her wrath, leading him to flee and eventually adopt the identity of an outlaw after learning of his father's wrongful persecution and death. Donning a black mask, he takes on the persona of "The Eagle" to seek justice. Known for its dramatic flair and Valentino's charismatic performance, "The Eagle" showcases the silent era's ability to convey complex narratives through visual storytelling and expressive acting. This particular print, struck in 1960, survives in the EmGee Film Library and various private collections, preserving a piece of cinematic history for future generations.