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The Emperor's Club
2002
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a powerful senator for a father. He .. Read more
| Starring | Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Embeth Davidtz, Rob Morrow |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Hoffman |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Emperor's Club
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a powerful senator for a father. He is a shock to the system of Mr. Hundert, whose firm moral standards and unshakeable integrity are genuinely challenged by Sedgewick's eye-rolling, rule-breaking, uncaring insubordination. Determined to change Sedgewick, mold him, and bring out the strong and true character that he believes to be at the core of every student, Mr. Hundert makes Sedgewick his priority. However, their bond will remain a thorn in Mr. Hundert's side for years thereafter, even beyond his retirement. Based on a short story by Ethan Canin, and directed by Michael Hoffman, THE EMPEROR'S CLUB uses crisp photography and convincing performances to communicate this wholesome tale of honor, morality, and trying to do what's right at all costs.
| Starring | Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Embeth Davidtz, Rob Morrow, Edward Herrmann, Harris Yulin |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Hoffman |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: 07 Mar 2005 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews
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This sentimenal film about a committed, but flawed, teacher, says nothing new about the ghetto of troubled pain that so many inhabitants feel at school, but at least the acting makes it worthwhile. Posh prep school Classics professor William Hundert (Kevin Kline) is so obsessed with teaching that he cuts himself off from Elizabeth (Embeth Davidtz), his one true love. Now his hopes are centred on an unruly student, Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch) who slowly conforms to the ideals of scholarship, but then turns upon Hundert and his own personal prowess. It is a grievance that is not really resolved, even 30 years later. Directed by Michael Hoffman, the idea buckles under the weight of classroom clichés, but its drama is well sustained by the cast.
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Most helpful member's review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
the emperor is good but he's no dead poet...
This movie starts off very strongly, with fine performances from Kline the teacher, and Hirsch the rebel student. However, much of this good work is undone when the story moves on several years, to a fairly unconvincing and muddled climax. The issues the film raises about cheating, are never really resolved in a satisfying way. Overall, it's not bad, but it never reaches the quality of Dead Poets Society.
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Most recent members' review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
the emperor is good but he's no dead poet...
This movie starts off very strongly, with fine performances from Kline the teacher, and Hirsch the rebel student. However, much of this good work is undone when the story moves on several years, to a fairly unconvincing and muddled climax. The issues the film raises about cheating, are never really resolved in a satisfying way. Overall, it's not bad, but it never reaches the quality of Dead Poets Society.
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The Emperor's Club
At St. Benedict's prep school, the boys are disciplined, mannered, and ready to learn. But when a bad apple enters the classroom of the well-respected Mr. Hundert (Kevin Kline), chaos ensues. Sedgewick Bell (Emile Hirsch, DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS) is a kid with a chip on his shoulder and a ...
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