Main Cast: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury
Release Year: 1973
Country: US
Run Time: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
In this gritty and violent period drama set in the depths of the Great Depression, Lee Marvin stars as "A No. 1", the acknowledged King of the Hoboes. A No. 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 No. 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 No. 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 Guide
Review
Often overlooked, this is an excellent period adventure and one of Robert Aldrich's best latter-day efforts. Emperor of the North benefits from a smart Christopher Knopf script; it is packed with vivid details that bring its train yard setting to life and plenty of salty, convincing tough-guy dialogue. Aldrich brings the tricky, train-bound narrative life with a true craftsman's skill, deftly orchestrating the many complex set pieces involving trains so they offer maximum excitement. It's also worth noting that Aldrich's work is aided immensely by Joseph Biroc's richly detailed cinematography and the razor-sharp precision of Michael Luciano's editing. Finally, the film boasts three magnificent performances that really bring the tale to life; Lee Marvin is effortlessly convincing as macho man of the earth A No. 1, Keith Carradine is amusingly snotty as his reluctant pupil, Cigaret, and Ernest Borgnine is terrifying as the sadistic, single-minded Shack. It all adds up to a magnificent "guy's movie" that is well worth the time for anyone interested in Aldrich's work (and connoisseurs of macho cinema in general). ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Jack Martin Smith - Art Director, Malcolm Harding - First Assistant Director, Robert Aldrich - Director, Michael Luciano - Editor, Frank De Vol - Composer (Music Score), Hal David - Songwriter, Frank De Vol - Songwriter, Joseph Biroc - Cinematographer, Stan Hough - Producer, Richard Overton - Sound/Sound Designer, Christopher Knopf - Screenwriter
