Emperor of the North Pole (Emperor of the North) (1973)
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81% of users liked it
(1,313 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Aldrich
- Written By
- Christopher Knopf
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1973 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
The suspense of the film (which is so hugely violent that its PG rating is a mystery), is unrelenting and the performances first-rate.
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Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
One of the better movies about the Great Depression.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Muscular.
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Cast
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Lee Marvin
as A No. 1
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Ernest Borgnine
as Shack
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Keith Carradine
as Cigaret
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Charles Tyner
as Cracker
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Malcolm Atterbury
as Hogger
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Simon Oakland
as Policeman
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Hal Baylor
as Yardman's Helper
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Danny "Big" Black
as Hobo
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Don Blackman
as Old Shine
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Harry Caesar
as Coaly
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Jack Collins
as Dispatcher
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Elisha Cook Jr.
as Gray Cat
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Joe Di Reda
as Dinger
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Liam Dunn
as Smile
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Diane Dye
as Prudence
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Robert Foulk
as Conductor
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Jimmy Goodwin
as Fakir
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Raymond Guth
as Preacher
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Sid Haig
as Grease Tail
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Harry Hickox
as Elder
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Karl Lukas
as Pokey Stiff
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Ed McNally
as Yard Clerk
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Ralph Montgomery
as Alkee Stiff
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John Steadman
as Stew Bum
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Wayne Sutherlin
as Gink
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Vic Tayback
as Yardman
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Dave Willock
as Groundhog
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Forrest G. Wood
as Station agent
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Matt Clark
as Yardlet