~The Fighting Eagle~
1927
~Rod La Rocque~
~Plot Synopsis~
This Cecil B. DeMille-produced swashbuckler was based on Brigadier General, a story by Sherlock
Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle. Set during the Napoleonic era, the film stars Rod La Rocque as
young adventurer Etienne Girard, who becomes involved in the political intrigues fomented by the
duplicitous Talleyrand (Sam de Grasse). Girard ends up rescuing gorgeous diplomatic courier Countess
de Launay (Phyllis Haver) from Talleyrand's clutches, then takes it upon himself to deliver the important
papers which the Countess was transporting to the anti-Napoleon forces. Julia Faye, Cecil B. DeMille's
longtime "secret" sweetheart, is seen briefly as Napoleon's wife Josephine, while Napoleon is curiously
portrayed in the style of a Jewish vaudeville comedian by Max Barwyn.

Plot Synopsis by Hal Erickson, AllMovie.com
Directed by: Donald Crisp

Written by:
Douglas Z. Doty - adaptation & screenplay
John W. Krafft - titles

Based on the novel "The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard," by Arthur Conan
Doyle
~Cast~

Rod La Rocque ...  Etienne Gerard
Phyllis Haver ...  Countess de Launay
Sam De Grasse ...  Talleyrand
Max Barwyn ...  Napoleon
Julia Faye ...  Josephine
Sally Rand ...  Fräulein Hertz
Clarence Burton ...  Col. Neville
Alphonse Ethier ...  Maj. Oliver
Carole Lombard ...  (unconfirmed)
~Remaining Credits~

Produced by: DeMille Pictures Corporation

Released by: Pathé Exchange

Produced by: Cecil B. DeMille
Cinematography: J. Peverell Marley
Film Editing: Barbara Hunter
Art Direction by: Mitchell Leisen
Costume Design by: Adrian
Assistant Director: Emile de Ruelle

Length: 8 Reels
Runtime: 54 minutes
Premiere: New York, August 14, 1927
Released: August 29, 1927