I’ve had my hand on this movie a few times whilst browsing at video ezy but tonight I finally got around to watching it. And I’m so glad that I did. It was honestly one of the better movies I have seen a good while.

Whilst superificially reminiscent of Dead Poet’s Society it deviates from that tried and true path into a film which I believe works on a number of different levels. The film is based around a classics professor (Kevin Kline) of ancient western civilisations in a prestigious American ivy-league boys’ high school in the 70s… a similar character to Robin William’s teacher in DPS. He’s one of those teachers who invests in his students and who is passionate about his subject. A somewhat rebellious and troubled student comes under his wing and the story progresses from there. I don’t want to say too much because at this point it actually moves away from the DPS model and becomes a fantastic story in itself… including a few twists you won’t see coming.

The film is about honour and dishonour, truth and falsity, deception and forgiveness, action and consequence. It brings to the forefront the corruption of the world we live in, and the corruption in our hearts. But it shows very clearly the ugliness of that corruption, condemns it and encourages to seek to live ‘rightly’. Of course it is all quite moralistic and God doesn’t enter the picture- but it certainly uses a lot of metaphors which could lead to some great gospel conversation.

It was also a film (to the best of my memory having just seen it this evening!) without swearing (although the classification does say low level… I just can’t remember what it was!), sex, violence, drugs or particularly adult themes and may in fact make a great youth group movie.

At times, I guess, it is in danger of become overly sentimental and a little cliched ... but I’m a chick and love that kind of movie ;) And it’s inspired me to write to my ancient history teacher from high school who invested in me for 6 years.

Highly recommended movie! (Especially for the ancient Rome buffs amongst us! I’m more of a ancient Greek gal myself ;) )

Dani, I saw The Emperor’s Club some weeks ago when I hired out LOTR:TTT and thought I might like it. On your recommendation the other night I went up to Video Ezy and got myself a copy of it - all on your recommendation!

And I’d like to second everything you’ve said above. I enjoyed it very much indeed.

Great Nunc :)

(Did you cry at the end like me? ;) )

No, I didn’t, but I did feel teary. Does that count? ;)

Just ;)

Oh. I also REALLY liked the fact that they did not make a big deal out of the romance aspect. It fit the story really well the way they did it (and was so glad to see there was no adultery involved!!!)

Too right. The romance thing was only hinted at - and it entirely fit Kline’s character’s character :P ;).

Would I be right in assuming there are no guns or car chases in this movie?

Hmmmm…

Yup. No guns and no car chases.

Oh. But there is a helicopter.

[quote author="Dani Treweek"]Hmmmm…

Yup. No guns and no car chases.

Oh. But there is a helicopter.

Ooh, ooh, cool, is it an AH-64 ?

Ummmm.

It might have been yellow if that helps.

Oh. And there was also a golf cart.

[quote author="Dani Treweek"]
Oh. And there was also a golf cart.

I’ll *have* to see it now!!! ;-) ;-) ;-)

Ian,
Golf Tragic.

Don’t get too excited Ian. I don’t think there was a gold club in sight. There was a baseball bat though ;)