This review of The Eagle, from 1939, fourteen years after the film was made, is not as harsh as some Valentino commentary at the time. I think there was a tendency to mock and belittle the silent stars and their films with the advent of sound, but this review has some good comments. It is interesting his noting how Valentino dominates all aspects of the film, "Everything is subjugated to his sleek, fascinating personality." From The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 12, 1939, see image below.
I also found this article on silent film's disappearance in The Atlantic Monthly interesting and share the link.
