Emperor of the North is a very strange film. Strange because it covers a subculture that I certainly had no idea existed. Hoboes who ride trains and challenge each to become the king of the train routes. Lee Marvin is of course the hero, A No 1, the ultimate bum. Why the position of A No 1 is coveted for is quite obscure. However, in the harsh 1930's, I guess any title is better than none.
The film introduces the viewer to an entirely different world. A world that has come crashing down. This is shown when Marvin is sitting in a dump. Suggesting that the world has fallen apart. The dog-eat-dog nature of the 30's is also suggested by Marvins fight with three youths. Yes Marvin can fight three guys armed only with a chicken. The ultimate hard man.
Although Marvin is very good in the picture. It is actually Ernest Borgnine who steals the show. He plays the malevolent Shack with a psychopathic gleam in his eyes. In fact, in the first five minutes he has killed some poor guy who happened to stow away on his train. He also has some very creative ways of the torturing poor hoboe train riders. This is a guy who is actually disappointed when the hoboes are not burnt to death on his train! Like a demented cave troll, he lugs around a hammer living to gruesomely maim and graphically kill. Yes Borgnine makes a great villain.
Although made in 1973, the film has a kind of 60's mentality about it. Borgnine could easily be seen as representing 'the man.' He is industrial culture, cruelly riding over people and their lives. The 20's were the introduction of the Fordian industrial production line. This film kind of shows the extension of this into an alienation of people. Are not hoboes the most dehumanised people that exist in any society? A No 1 represents the human side of things. How his creative flair, innovative spirit and dogged determination have him ultimately winning against the system. In fact, Cigaret is thrown from the train for not having 'heart.' This is obviously the crucial factor of being human.
The idea of 'beating the man' is a theme further shown when A No 1 steals a chicken. The cop that chases him is driven away by a group of hoboes. What is interesting about this scene is the idea of people coming together about challenging authority. This hints at a vaguely Marxist underpinning.
The film although an interesting watch is quite slow. Plus you can only get so excited by people hiding on a train. But the real fascination here lies in the exposed subcultures. If you did not know anything about hoboes in the 1930's, you will after watching this film. This would actually be a great film for those studying sociology.
There is a kind of existential angst about the film. That is people thrown into circumstances and constrained by powerful forces outside their control. Borgnine is doing his job, Marvin is trying to survive. The two of them symbolise two great machinations that will ultimately clash. Isn't this the story of the 1930's, where human life and welfare was placed below economics?
This is a good film. In writing this review, I have actually realised there is a lot more to this film than I had originally thought.There is a very strong subtext running underneath. This is much more than just an action film with some big stars. It is a mostly well acted, interesting time capsule. If you can find it, then most definitely watch it. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
Also kudos to Ruthless Reviews for reviewing this movie on their site. Otherwise I would never have known it existed.
The film introduces the viewer to an entirely different world. A world that has come crashing down. This is shown when Marvin is sitting in a dump. Suggesting that the world has fallen apart. The dog-eat-dog nature of the 30's is also suggested by Marvins fight with three youths. Yes Marvin can fight three guys armed only with a chicken. The ultimate hard man.
Although Marvin is very good in the picture. It is actually Ernest Borgnine who steals the show. He plays the malevolent Shack with a psychopathic gleam in his eyes. In fact, in the first five minutes he has killed some poor guy who happened to stow away on his train. He also has some very creative ways of the torturing poor hoboe train riders. This is a guy who is actually disappointed when the hoboes are not burnt to death on his train! Like a demented cave troll, he lugs around a hammer living to gruesomely maim and graphically kill. Yes Borgnine makes a great villain.
Although made in 1973, the film has a kind of 60's mentality about it. Borgnine could easily be seen as representing 'the man.' He is industrial culture, cruelly riding over people and their lives. The 20's were the introduction of the Fordian industrial production line. This film kind of shows the extension of this into an alienation of people. Are not hoboes the most dehumanised people that exist in any society? A No 1 represents the human side of things. How his creative flair, innovative spirit and dogged determination have him ultimately winning against the system. In fact, Cigaret is thrown from the train for not having 'heart.' This is obviously the crucial factor of being human.
The idea of 'beating the man' is a theme further shown when A No 1 steals a chicken. The cop that chases him is driven away by a group of hoboes. What is interesting about this scene is the idea of people coming together about challenging authority. This hints at a vaguely Marxist underpinning.
The film although an interesting watch is quite slow. Plus you can only get so excited by people hiding on a train. But the real fascination here lies in the exposed subcultures. If you did not know anything about hoboes in the 1930's, you will after watching this film. This would actually be a great film for those studying sociology.
There is a kind of existential angst about the film. That is people thrown into circumstances and constrained by powerful forces outside their control. Borgnine is doing his job, Marvin is trying to survive. The two of them symbolise two great machinations that will ultimately clash. Isn't this the story of the 1930's, where human life and welfare was placed below economics?
This is a good film. In writing this review, I have actually realised there is a lot more to this film than I had originally thought.There is a very strong subtext running underneath. This is much more than just an action film with some big stars. It is a mostly well acted, interesting time capsule. If you can find it, then most definitely watch it. I'll give it a 7 out of 10.
Also kudos to Ruthless Reviews for reviewing this movie on their site. Otherwise I would never have known it existed.