Emperor of the North
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Movie Reviews of Emperor of the North
Movie Review: "I can fight like a house on fire. I'm ready."
Summary: 4 Stars
Lee Marvin is terrific in this Depression era action-on-the-railroad film, helmed by the great and seemingly unheralded Robert Aldrich. Ernest Borgnine is also good as the nemesis, the brutal and murderous Shack, captain of the No. 19 train, and the most feared captain in the land, what with a slew of weapons, hammers, chains, and a brilliantly used steel peg tied to a rope!
His match is made as Marvin's A-No.1, the toughest legendary bull out there, who takes the challenge of jumping the No. 19 when the upstart Cigaret, played by Keith Carradine, pawns A-No.1's exploits as his own. A-No.1 and Cigaret essentially partner up, reluctantly as the cliche holds, leading to a buddy film in the second act.
The writing, which is winning, keeps the action and the dialogue fresh, and the simple issue of a challenge between men desperate and full of pride to get somewhere, or not let someone get somewhere, stands out as a compelling characteristic of Depression-era men. Some memorable lines:
"...shot fulla holes by nobody knows..."
"...you coulda been a meat eater..."
"...beat The Shack, climbed the sky and slept with the
stars..."
"I can fight like a house on fire. I'm ready."
"I've got my monikers on towers from Seattle to Miami..."
"You ain't even ready for a half-grown girl..."
In no uncertain terms were the 1970's a high water mark for American film. The Emperor of the North Pole merely adds to such sentiment. Well written, acted, shot, with an illumination of the hopes and actions of desperation, in a time when nothing was safe, and home was truly where you hung your hat. Big ups to Lee Marvin here, and Borgnine, two old dogs who thrash their way through this, to a terrific climax on the end of the No. 19.
Movie Review: "You got a chance to be a good bum."
Summary: 4 Stars
Hallelujah, the DVD is finally here!
This is one of my favorite films. In the world of "Depression Era Railroad Establishment vs. Train Hoppin Hobos" this flick stands all alone, and its also one of Lee Marvin's best movies.
Robert Aldrich's indelible stamp of anarchy is clearly present in this simple tale of the downtrodden everyman represented by Lee Marvin's "A No.1" top hobo fighting the war of individual spirit against the evil and brutally sadistic railroad enforcer, Ernest Borgnine, whose sole purpose in life was to protect his railroad against the tramps who were all dependent on moving from place to place looking for work on his trains. Keith Carradine chimes in as an arrogant loudmouthed wannabe who attempts to build a reputation on the coattails of Marvin's sweat and blood.
The final showdown between Marvin and Borgnine is a Hollywood classic. I still hurt watching these guys batter each other with hammers, 2x4's, logs, and axes. Ouch. The Oregon scenery is classic Aldrich, beautiful and very earthy. Lots of raw black humor here as well, another Aldrich trademark.
The DVD transfer is very nice with rich, crisp colors and sharp features presented in 1.85 Letterbox Widescreen. A 5 star video but sadly, a hollow 2 star Dolby Stereo presentation. The only extras are a theatrical trailer, two TV spots, and an fairly interesting and informative commentary by a film historian Dana Polan, whoever the hell that is? No additional jacket materials to study either, oh well. 4 Turkeys
Movie Review: super
Summary: 4 Stars
Robert Aldrich was one of the most interesting American directors of the last 40 years. He moved with relative ease between genres and told his stories in a direct, honest style. This film is one of the unsung gems of the seventies, part adventure film, part social drama, part road movie.
Set during the depression when riding the rails was a way of life for desperate men (and women), the film follows three characters - Lee Marvin, as Number One, a legend among the grizzled hobos congregating along the rail lines; Ernest Borgnine as Shack, the sadistic conductor perfectly willing to do whatever necessary to keep free loaders off his trains; and a young Keith Carradine as Two-Bit, a novice full of bluster and false bravado out to make a name for himself. Marvin takes the kid under his wing; their relationship is part adversarial, as the weary elder tries to educate the fool how to survive on the line. Looming in the background is Borgnine, out to do his job at any cost. Ultimately a wager is made, and Marvin will put his life on the line to best Borgnine and show he is the Emperor of the North.
At times it's a very brutal film - the final confrontation between Marvin & Borgnine is one of the toughest, nastiest fights ever photographed - but it is splendidly made and endlessly fascinating.
Movie Review: Dark, tough if flawed Aldrich character study
Summary: 4 Stars
Interesting, quasi-political film of depression era hobo (Lee Marvin) -
famous within hobo circles for being able to ride any train - trying to
ride one guarded by meanest guy in the world (Ernest Borgnine). He
picks up a young protégé (a very young Keith Carradine) along the
way who -- after much resistance - he accepts as the start of the
next generation of men who live by their wits and go their own way.
The acting is solid throughout. The score is a bit much at times, and
some of the writing is variable, but there are good scenes and
thoughtful ideas about the battle between 'freedom' and playing by the
rules along the way.
Aka 'The Emperor of the North Pole'.
Movie Review: No Planes, Just Trains and Action
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great movie about an era of American history largely forgotten today. Hobos and Hoovervilles were a fact of our nation's history, one that not many of us remember. Consequently, we forget how hard times were during this period. We forgot what people were forced to do in order to survive. People had to scratch and claw just to make it. This movie reflects the necessity facing individuals of that time with great clarity. In portraying this era, the movie includes great action between sharply contrasting antagonists. The characters are portrayed by two of the 60s and 70s undervalued action stars of the era. Marvin is great, so is Earnest. Get this one and enjoy!!!!