Emperor of the North on DVD

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

This film has become a cult classic for many of us. It's finally been released on DVD.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EXDSCU/qid=1149601059/

Made in 1973 on the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railway (where Buster Keaton did "The General"), this Robert Aldrich film is somewhat one dimensional, but features a good story premise and some pretty stellar steam railroading action.

I'm inclined to believe that the mysterious hobo that appears in The Polar Express film is based on Lee Marvin's character.

I'm not one for remakes, but this one would be interesting to do. Just have to find someone to fill Lee Harvin's shoes...

-Kelly Lynch

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:36 am

Does anybody know how they filmed that close call at the siding between the passenger and the freight? Did they film it at slow speed and then speed up the film?

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Steven,

It looks like the speed ramping process you've described. In addition, the shot of the brakeman reacting against the caboose seems to be a rear projection shot. Nevertheless, still a bit of a harrowing scene...

-Kelly

Txhighballer · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am **Posts:** 773

Great movie and definitly adding it to my collection. Anybody have any ideas what extra features they are putting on the DVD,if any?

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

While Amazon doesn't list them, the special features are:

Feature Commentary by Noted Film Historian Dana Polan
TV Spots
Theatrical Trailer
Video:
Widescreen 1.85:1 Color (Anamorphic)

The transfer looks gorgeous.

junior · **Posted:** Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:02 am

Well, at least this cover has the #19 on it....I loathed the one with Strasburg's #90 on it....I mean c'mon!

Great Movie, Great Railroad...Sad to know that its a bike trail now...but at least the ROW exists.

Jeff Terry · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 12:18 am **Posts:** 281

I found it remarkable that the real No. 19 came back to life on the Yreka Western just days before the DVD was released. Coincidence?
Seriously, though, does anyone know what tender was used with No. 19 during filming on the OP&E? It’s clearly not the oil tender that the 2-8-2 normally ran with on the “Goose“ excursion train and still has today on the Yreka Western. It would also appear that butterfly firebox doors were installed on the No. 19 for the movie, and it appears that it’s being fired with coal, although that could just be “Hollywood” special effects as it appears to still have its oil pan. There were plenty of historic freight cars in the movie also. Any of them survive today? I know the passenger cars (ex-SP commute cars) were scrapped.

Jeff Terry