EAGLE IN A CAGE

 

EAGLE IN A CAGE, released in 1972, is another obscure film I stumbled upon on the Tubi streaming channel. It dramatizes the beginning of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile on the small island of St. Helena in 1815. 

The movie has a strong cast of acclaimed actors (Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, Billie Whitelaw), but surprisingly, instead of a mainstream star, British character player Kenneth Haigh portrays Napoleon. Haigh is good in the role, but his Napoleon is more low-key than one would expect, and he also uses his normal English accent instead of a French one. Because everyone else in the cast also has an English accent, Haigh's Napoleon doesn't seem as much of an outsider as he should be. 

Among the retinue that Napoleon is allowed to bring to the island is a Count (Frerdy Mayne), his wife (Billie Whitelaw), and a general (Moses Gunn). The former Emperor plots to escape almost as soon as he arrives, as he matches wits with St. Helena's eccentric military governor (Ralph Richardson) and a Royal Navy physician (Michael Williams). 

A young girl living on the island (Georgina Hale) becomes infatuated with Napoleon, while he carries on with the Count's wife, who happens to be one of Bonaparte's former mistresses. Napoleon engages in debates with the governor and doctor, does try an escape attempt (which fails), and meets with a British official (John Gielgud) who offers him a chance to go back to France. But Bonaparte's ill health sours the deal. 

EAGLE IN A CAGE is the type of film that would now be called "Oscar Bait". It is a historically-based film featuring a legendary figure, starring distinguished performers. It's also very talky....as in real life, Napoleon doesn't have all that much to do on his island prison. If Haigh's Napoleon had been more boisterous, or over-the-top, like Rod Steiger in WATERLOO, the story might have had more spice to it. 

Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud in particular are quite hammy here, but at least they inject some life into the proceedings. The dalliances Napoleon has with the characters played by Billie Whitelaw and Georgina Hale might have made more sense if Haigh had been more charismatic. 

According to IMDB, the film was shot in Yugoslavia--I do have to say it did look like the story does takes place on a barren and remote island. The costumes look fine, and director Fielder Cook, a veteran of American television, does what he can to open up the action. 

History buffs might want to view EAGLE IN A CAGE, but it's nowhere near as exciting as the poster above makes it out to be. A stronger personality in the lead role would have helped. (A word of warning to those who might want to check this out on Tubi--the transfer they are using is rather tatty-looking.)