In this one he plays a swashbuckling Russian officer charged with desertion after rejecting the advances of the matronly Czarina, Catherine The Great. He returns to his village in time to watch his now destitute father die. He plots revenge against the man responsible for cheating his father of his fortune and avenges his death by donning a mask and becoming 'The Black Eagle' a combination Zorro and Robin Hood who steals from the wealthy and gives to the poor.

The one thing he didn't count on was falling in love with his enemies beautiful and enchanting daughter (Vilma Banky). Of course this complicates things and leads to an interesting series of events as our hero battles between his hatred of the father and his love for the daughter.

Clarence Brown, who went on to great success with many Greta Garbo pictures and classics such as The Yearling and National Velvet, directs with a masterful eye. This movie is quite exquisite to look at.

Louise Dresser gives a regal performance as Catherine II, Russell Simpson, who is best remembered for his role as Pa Joad in John Ford's brilliant The Grapes of Wrath, has a small role as The Black Eagle's first Lieutenant and film legend Gary Cooper appears in a bit part.

This one is worth seeing for the great chemistry between Valentino and Banky; together they light up the silver screen.

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