Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily Entertainment GuideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

The Emperor's Club

  • 2002
  • PG-13
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
18K
YOUR RATING
Kevin Kline in The Emperor's Club (2002)
Pre, "Coming Soon"
Play trailer0:30
2 Videos
33 Photos
Coming-of-AgePeriod DramaDrama

An idealistic prep school teacher attempts to redeem an incorrigible student.An idealistic prep school teacher attempts to redeem an incorrigible student.An idealistic prep school teacher attempts to redeem an incorrigible student.

  • Director
    • Michael Hoffman
  • Writers
    • Ethan Canin
    • Neil Tolkin
  • Stars
    • Kevin Kline
    • Emile Hirsch
    • Joel Gretsch
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Hoffman
    • Writers
      • Ethan Canin
      • Neil Tolkin
    • Stars
      • Kevin Kline
      • Emile Hirsch
      • Joel Gretsch
    • 153User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Emperor's Club
    Trailer 0:30
    The Emperor's Club
    The Emperor's Club
    Trailer 2:27
    The Emperor's Club
    The Emperor's Club
    Trailer 2:27
    The Emperor's Club

    Photos33

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 27
    View Poster

    Top cast68

    Edit
    Kevin Kline
    Kevin Kline
    • William Hundert
    Emile Hirsch
    Emile Hirsch
    • Sedgewick Bell
    Joel Gretsch
    Joel Gretsch
    • Older Sedgewick Bell
    Embeth Davidtz
    Embeth Davidtz
    • Elizabeth
    Rob Morrow
    Rob Morrow
    • James Ellerby
    Edward Herrmann
    Edward Herrmann
    • Headmaster Woodbridge
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Senator Bell
    Paul Dano
    Paul Dano
    • Martin Blythe
    Rishi Mehta
    Rishi Mehta
    • Deepak Mehta
    Jesse Eisenberg
    Jesse Eisenberg
    • Louis Masoudi
    Gabriel Millman
    • Robert Brewster
    • (as Gabe Millman)
    Chris Morales
    • Eugene Field
    Luca Bigini
    • Copeland Gray
    Michael Coppola
    • Russell Hall
    Sean Fredricks
    Sean Fredricks
    • Mr. Harris
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    Katherine O'Sullivan
    • The Nun
    Melissa Brown
    • Blonde Girl
    Sophie Wise
    Sophie Wise
    • Brunette
    • Director
      • Michael Hoffman
    • Writers
      • Ethan Canin
      • Neil Tolkin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews153

    6.918.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    8kcrawford

    A truly great idea in mediocre clothing

    I can see exactly why comparisons to Dead Poets' Society abound. Having attended boarding school and developed an irrational attachment to that film at the time, I have since discarded it like an overworn leisure suit, and tried to move on to more interesting fare. But honestly, this film made me think -- in all the ways that school should have, and the DPSociety didn't even try to.

    Robin Williams has never starred in a thinking man's film, which is why, in the end, the comparison between the two movies doesn't hold up. To get The Emperor's Club, you have to actually grasp why someone might be inspired by history -- by a time when men could truly fail, or conquer, or establish a foothold in eternity. The fact that we know Socrates existed is astounding. It is luck. If James Carville goes down in history it will be an accident, if a likely one. The point of this film is that difference -- the difference between men whose character demands to be remembered, and men whose character demands to be forgotten. It is also the story of two systems of reward and recognition -- one that produced Plato and one that produced Jerry Springer. That is why we study history, as the movie says. To learn from and be inspired by the great leaders who came before us, and to overcome the moral mediocrity of the modern world.

    But, as the film concludes, great men are no longer chosen to lead. The Emperor's Club, while cloaked in the guise of a charming elitist flick, is actually a tale of profound disappointment and disillusionment regarding human society. The few great men who are left exist in the shadows, while the ignorant grandstanders wield political power. We elect them; we are in their hands. And it is all because of a lack of awareness, a lack of knowledge, and a lack of history. People don't vote for principle -- they vote for rhetoric. And it shows.

    I was not expecting too much from this movie, other than the always pleasurable experience of watching Kevin Kline. But, wrapped up in the sentimental moralizing, there was the story of a great man doing the only great thing left: trying to bring others out the darkness. His success or failure is as immaterial as the execution of Socrates -- it really is the thought that counts.
    Gordon-11

    Captivating and thought provoking

    This film is about a history teacher engraving his wisdom and virtues in his students' hearts.

    According to my vote history, I watched it in around April 2003 time, and I gave it a 6. I borrowed this DVD again a few days ago from the library, not remembering I have watched it. I thought it could not have been a good film if I could not remember watching it. It was so wrong! I really like the plot of this film. It is so touching and affecting. I felt so drawn to the characters of the film. Mr Hundert's dedication and enormous enthusiasm is infectiously touching. Even Mr Hundert has such high virtues, he still made a mistake. To think that Mr Hundert must have chided himself for 25 years about not letting Martin be in the competition is almost unbearable. This contrasts Sedgewick Bell, a non conformer. He breaks all the rules and never regrets it, maybe except at the end. The two characters create such an interesting parallel, and gives much room for thought. This film touched me a lot. It is captivating and thought provoking. It truly deserves more attention than it gets.
    7ma-cortes

    Splendid and agreeable movie about the relationship between a teacher and a student

    The movie deals with a good and idealist teacher (Kevin Kline) of Roman classic history and his relationship to a roguish and rebel pupil (Emile Hirsch) in a high class school . The teacher tries to redeem him but the continuous challenge makes that the incorrigible student (besides , being senator's son : Harris Yulin) results to be more and less difficult or impossible to dominate him . Meanwhile , the starring falls in love with an attractive , though married teacher (Embeth Davidtz) , and has problems with the college director (Edward Herrmann).

    The picture is based on Ethan Canin's book titled ¨ Palace thief ¨. The story is narrated with sensitivity and intelligence and here are treated ethic and moral issues developed in great sense of ductility and fairness . As the teacher will have to face on the complex truth that can be manipulated or phony . The motion picture takes part of the School Sub-genre , whose maxim representation turns out to be the prestigious ¨Dead poet society¨ by Peter Weir . The film is displayed throughout among past and present time where we find the same characters though twenty five years later , except Kevin Kline the actors are different . The actors' interpretation is excellent , such as Kevin Kline as a mature and upright teacher who hands perfectly the role , Emile Hirsch as the rascal young is top-notch as well as Embeth Davidtz who is wonderful and enjoyable . James Newton Howard's musical score is sensitive and touching . The story was well directed by Michael Hoffman . Rating : Above average , well worth watching.
    8dr71956

    VERY good movie

    I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I don't care if others think it was predictable - so what? Wasn't Jaws predictable? How about Alien? Once in a while a movie has a lesson in it - like this one. Even if it is a lesson that gets played over and over.

    I really didn't care for the mildly romantic banter between Kline's character and his female interest. Maybe the purpose of the character was to show Dr. Hundert was not gay - but that seems awfully shallow to me. If this movie was not about a gay teacher, why did the writer feel obligate to prove the reverse? All in all though, this was a GOOD movie - very good.
    MovieAddict2016

    4/5 Stars

    "The Emperor's Club" is a lot different than you would think. It does run a bit on cheesy sentimentality, but the ending is more than surprising considering the type of film this is.

    It is a period-piece about a teacher (Kevin Kline) at a prestigious school for boys, and how he tries to "mould" a strong-willed fifteen-year-old boy. And if you want a hint at the surprise ending, don't read any farther, because I cannot control telling you that in the end he does not change the boy. Which is what truly amazed me. Most of the time in films like these, we see the free-spirited kid become proper and respectful. But not so here. This tale doesn't have a perfect teacher turning a bad boy into a perfect boy. It has a flawed teacher wasting years on one student. Years later at a party, he tells the boy, Sedgewick (now an adult), "as a teacher I have failed you." And that's what is so very different about this movie. It isn't as heavy on the drama as I thought it would be, and comes across a bit cheesy and fluffy at times, but the ending is more surprising than "The Sixth Sense" ever will be. It doesn't rely on tried-and-used methods, but goes for a new route. And just when you think that it's as depressing as it can get, the very, very end gives your spirit a bit of a boost.

    Kline realizes that in those years that Sedgewick attended his class, he ignored the other students who were trying - and actually cared - about what they were doing. It kind of sheds a new light on the films where a teacher devotes time to one student in particular, because after seeing this film, I bet ten bucks next time you watch a film of the same roots you'll realize that the teacher is ignoring the other students. And "The Emperor's Club" exposes this. Kline's character is flawed, and while he is a good teacher, he makes mistakes, such as spending so much time on Sedgewick and bumping a smarter kid off of the school toga challenge, just so he can put Sedgewick in it (the challenge).

    Kevin Kline isn't Otto here. "A$$hole!" is not a motto here. We've got Kline giving a thoroughly convincing performance as a 1970s all-boys school teacher. Kline's makeup at the end of the film is quite good as well, as opposed to something like "The Dish" where Sam Neil's makeup looks like it's about to fall off his face and his wig is about to be plucked off by a gust of wind.

    I also liked the student actors in this film. The actors they got to play the various students were pretty good; in fact, many of them were very good. I hope their careers continue after this film, and as hateable as Sedgewick was in this film, the kid who played him was pretty convincing. You always know this when you start to like or dislike a character, much less hate or love them.

    At the end of the film, I like the subtle differences in years. In the 1970s, a group of boys travel across a lake to check out the all-girls school, where nuns shoo them away. 28 years later, as Kline's character walks towards his schoolroom, we see boys and girls walking around. In 28 years society has changed, and it's funny to wonder if that group of boys from the 1970s ever thought that in 28 years, what they were paddling across a lake for would be right next to them.

    More like this

    The Education of Charlie Banks
    6.5
    The Education of Charlie Banks
    Life as a House
    7.4
    Life as a House
    Roger Dodger
    6.8
    Roger Dodger
    The Face of Love
    6.2
    The Face of Love
    Lightning: Fire from the Sky
    4.4
    Lightning: Fire from the Sky
    Finding Forrester
    7.3
    Finding Forrester
    The V.I.P.s
    6.3
    The V.I.P.s
    The Living Wake
    6.0
    The Living Wake
    One Day Like Rain
    4.4
    One Day Like Rain
    City of Ghosts
    5.9
    City of Ghosts
    Some Boys Don't Leave
    7.2
    Some Boys Don't Leave
    My Old Lady
    6.4
    My Old Lady

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When filming the movie, the location (Emma Willard school in Troy, NY) was still operating as a girl's school. Emile Hirsch reportedly complained about the students, claiming that they were pestering him for his phone number. He also (reportedly) said some unsavory things about the school in general. When the students heard about this, they demanded an apology from Hirsch, which he delivered in front of the entire student body. At the school viewing, whenever he appeared on screen, the girls booed loudly and stories about him still circulate through the student body.
    • Goofs
      When the girls are removing their shirts to go skinny-dipping, a Victoria's Secret Body by Victoria bra is revealed. That bra is from the time the film was made, not the mid-1970s when the scene takes place.
    • Quotes

      William Hundert: As a great Aristophanes once wrote-- roughly translated-- "Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown. Ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid... lasts forever."

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Die Another Day/The Emperor's Club/Friday After Next (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Funk 49
      Written by Jim Fox, Joe Walsh, and Dale Peters

      Performed by James Gang

      Courtesy of MCA Records

      Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ19

    • How long is The Emperor's Club?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 22, 2002 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Palace Thief
    • Filming locations
      • Emma Willard School - 285 Pawling Avenue, Troy, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Beacon Communications
      • Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,118,751
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,846,780
      • Nov 24, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,318,449
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Kevin Kline in The Emperor's Club (2002)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Emperor's Club (2002) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.