Figure 1.--Here we see the boys at school wearing their red blazers. It looks like a sceen just after chapel in the morning.

A well-liked and idealistic instructor learns a lesson in human nature in the 2002 film, "The Emperor's Club". As the film opens, Professor William Hundert teaches western civilization at an all boys academy. The time appears to be about 1970. Professor Hundert is well regarded by colleagues and respected by his students as knowledeable and inspiring. Each term begins with Hundert asking a student to read from a memorial to a long-forgotten conqueror. No one remembers the conquest made so long ago, because the conqueror made no contribution to civilization. Timeless lessons such as this give relevance to Hundert's course and engage the boys' interests.

Filmology

A well-liked and idealistic instructor learns a lesson in human nature in the 2002 film, "The Emperor's Club".

Chronology

The time appears to be about 1970. This time frame was required because at the end if the film, the boys appear as adults.

Setting

The setting is aprivate all-boys academy, presumably in the northeast. These schools would be called prep schools in merica and public schools in Brutain.

Cast

Kevin Kline played Professor Hundert superbly; his William Hundert is a thoroughly believable character who despite his flaws remains sympathetic. Emile Hirsch brought Sedgewick Bell to life with a mix of mischief and malevolence that never fails to disturb one on some level. Paul Dano and Jesse Eisenberg played their supporting roles as Segewick's classmated very skillfully.

Story Line

As the film opens, Professor William Hundert teaches western civilization at a private all boys academy. Professor Hundert is well regarded by colleagues and respected by his students as knowledeable and inspiring. Each term begins with Hundert asking a student to read from a memorial to a long-forgotten conqueror. No one remembers the conquest made so long ago, because the conqueror made no contribution to civilization. Timeless lessons such as this give relevance to Hundert's course and engage the boys' interests.

This serenity, however, changes when a new student, Sedgewick Bell, enters Hundert's class. Sedgewick's father is a powerful United States Senator, and Sedgewick is an undisciplined instructor's nightmare who has been tossed out of a few prestigious schools in his brief academic life. Sedgewick's wisecracks and antics infect most of Hundert's students, and the class seems on the verge of becoming unruly until the professor calmly but firmly puts the student in his place. Things settle down for a time, but Sedgewick is not easily contained for long. Hundert visits Sedgewick's father at the U.S. Capitol, but the teacher is appalled by the Senator's arrogant ways. Senator Bell first tries to bribe Hundert with a gift, then tells Hundert it's his responsibilty to teach Sedgewick, so do it. But soon Sedgewick and a few other boys, including some of Hundert's best students, land in trouble with the Headmaster for going to a forbidden place, the all girls school not far from the campus. Senator Bell called Sedgewick and told him to strighten up or else.

Hundert, the idealistic instructor, begins to sympathize with Sedgewick. The boy no doubt has had problems adjusting to life with a distant and powerful father. What can be done? Each year Hundert sponsors an academic competition. The three students with the highest averages in his class appear before a school assembly, including parents and school patrons, to answer questions about ancient history and western civilization. Each student dresses in a toga for the competition, and the winner's name is inscribed in a place of honor at the school. As the time for the contest draws near, Hundert, examining his grade book, finds that Sedgewick is behind in points to a very fine student, whose father won this event years ago, for the third and final place in the contest. Hundert changed Sedgewick's grade on an important exam to give him the final spot. On the day of the event, Sedegwick performs well, but Hundert discovers that the boy is cheating. Hundert asks Sedgewick a question he can't answer: fittingly, it's taken from that first day lesson about conquest without contribution.

Years later, Sedegwick is wealthy and prominent and about to begin his own political career. He invites Hundert, the other students who participated in that competition, and other classmates to his estate for a rematch of the event. Althougb the setting is lavish, the boys have become rather crass an boorish adults. This rematch lacks the gravity and civility of the school event. The outcome, however, is the same. Sedgewick cheats again, and Hundert finds him out before the competition is over. The same student won again, answering the same question from the first event.

Hundert tells Sedgewick that as an instructor he had failed his students. The time and devotion he had shown his errant pupil was wasted. He should never have given in to his idealistic nature, never have cheated to give Sedgewick a place in the contest. Hundert regretted that he had forgotten his very own lessons, given to students both worthy and unworthy of honors bestowed.

Costuming

The academy seemed not to have a required uniform. Several boys do wear red blazers with the school crest on the breast pocket, red and gold striped ties, white shirts, and long trousers of conservative hues. Other students wore sport coats and ties or just a pullover sweater with a tie. The boys wore long trousers throughout the film. The age group in the film appeared to be about 16 to 18. The uniform and clothes we see in the film reflect the time reasonably well. For the time the film was set, however, I think the boys would be wearing somewhat longer hair than we see in the film.

Created: 11:54 PM 4/4/2006
Last updated: 3:30 AM 4/14/2006