Starring: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury Directed By: Robert Aldrich Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: June 06, 2006 Running Time: 120 minutes Theatrical Release Date: May 23, 1973
Product Description: In this gritty and violent period drama set in the depths of the Great Depression Lee Marvin stars as A #1 the acknowledged King of the Hoboes. A #1 is famous among his fellow tramps for his ability to catch a ride on any train no matter how risky the hop or dangerous the guards. He acts as a sort of mentor for Cigaret (Keith Carradine) a young hobo who brags that some day he'll surpass A #1 in his accomplishments. But neither has had the courage to ride a train guarded by Shack (Ernest Borgnine) an unusually sadistic railroad cop who will brutally beat or even murder any man who tries to catch a ride on his train. A #1 is determined that no one not even Cigaret is going to deny him his title so taking his life in his hands he and Cigaret hop a ride on Shack's train and they are soon bearing the full brunt of his violent nature. Emperor of the North features superb location photography by Joseph F. Biroc and a fine supporting cast including Charles Tyner Simon Oakland Elisha Cook Jr. and Sid Haig. Mark Deming All Movie GuideSystem Requirements:Running Time: 118 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG UPC: 024543242147 Manufacturer No: 2234214
Amazon.com: Emperor of the North, a vivid Depression-era drama, opens with a friendly, down-home song that doesn't prepare the audience for what follows: The brutal killing of a train-hopping bum at the hands of a cruel conductor named Shack (Ernest Borgnine, Marty, The Poseidon Adventure). A hobo called A-No. 1 (Lee Marvin, Cat Ballou, The Big Heat) rises to the challenge of catching a ride on Shack's train--but his heels are dogged by a tenderfoot (Keith Carradine, Deadwood, Nashville), whose inexperience may get them both killed. Director Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly) has a sure feel for male behavior driven by pride, boredom, and desperation. The swagger gets a little overblown at times, but more often Emperor of the North has a gritty realism, peppered with flashes of sardonic humor and surprising compassion. Aldrich has a gift for a loose yet always watchable story, filled with engaging bit parts and offbeat incidents that flesh out the world and make the main storyline all the more compelling. Marvin and Borgnine--craggy-faced character actors deluxe--are in excellent form, but Carradine steals the movie with his bitter, callow arrogance. (Originally titled Emperor of the North Pole, a bit of hobo lingo.) --Bret Fetzer
Awesome Movie What more can be said besides this is an awesome movie. Two great stars, Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin together in one of their best perfomances. I enjoy watching this movie over and over again.
Railroad fans rejoice! This film, though not a universally classic movie, is for many fans of railroad lore a classic indeed. I won't go into exhaustive detail about the movie because if you're considering it, you probably know about it already. It's been around for many years in railroad circles and is, except for the cheesy soundtrack, a really well made story of the old hobo lifestyle with beautiful shots of some great scenery and fine acting by Borgnine, Carradine and Marvin. The reason for this review is to herald the arrival of the DVD. The VHS version has been very hard to find over the years, but now, finally, the DVD is here. If you love this movie, or love the railroads, consider getting this DVD!
THIS MASTERPIECE DESERVES TO BE REMEMBERED Emperor of the North is one of those movies that when one see it, one can't help, but wonder why no one hardly knows of it? Powerful acting, by powerful actors, and yet it's, as if, this movie doesn't even exist. The climax of this movie, with Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine fighting within that moving train box car is the toughest and meanest fight ever filmed. Thank goodness, that it is on DVD, because it's worth remembering.
The Emperor Of The North If you like the oldies, you will like this movie. It is a drama centered in the days when indigent men traveled the rail lines across the states. Ernie Borgnine plays his usual bad guy and Lee Marvin is the hero, if you can call him that. Good story.
They just don't make many good films about 1930s hobos This is easily one of my favorite films, it just really doesn't let down in any department aside from the fact that it isn't long enough. I never will get tired of this film.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
