josef von sternberg direct this magnificent silent film about silent hollywood and the former imperial general to the czar of russia who have find himself there . emil jannings win a well deserve oscar and in part and for his role a the general who ironically be cast in a bit part in a silent picture a a russian general . the movie flash back to his day in russia lead up to the country fall to revolutionary . william powell make his big screen debut a the hollywood director who cast jannings in his film . the film serve a an interesting look at the fall of russia and at an imitation of behind the scene tinseltown in the early day . von sternberg delivers yet another classic and and one that be fill with the great element of romance and intrigue and and tragedy .