Rudolph Valentino stars as Vladimir Dubrovsky, a young Russian Cossack officer who rejects the czarina's (Louise Dresser) amorous attention and is promptly branded a deserter in this silent tale of love and revenge. On the eve of his dismissal he learns of his father's ruin; his father had sent a letter pleading for the czarina's aid against Kyrilla (James Marcus), a gluttonous and treacherous neighbor who has stolen the family's estate. Sentenced to death with a reward on his head for shunning the lusty czarina, Vladimir escapes into the countryside and becomes the Black Eagle, a dashing masked vigilante who seeks to avenge the death of his father. As he nears his goal, his mission is complicated when he falls in love with Mascha Troekouroff (Vilma Banky), Kyrilla's daughter. In order to infiltrate Mascha's house and seek his ultimate revenge on her father, he dons another disguise, forsaking his mask for the identity of Maurice Le Tournier, Mascha's debonaire French tutor. What follows is a witty combination of parlor romance and farce as Vladimir attempts to win Mascha's affections while plotting Kyrilla's destruction. Rudolph Valentino delivers a charismatic and seductive performance in this full-scale romantic adventure that shines with early Hollywood's technical advancements and stylish production values. This exciting silent film is based on DUBROVSKY by Alexander Pushkin.