I saw this on Bravo some years back and it was titled 'Emperor of the North'. I believe that is also what the credits on the film say. I taped it back then, and this movie is so good I'd buy a VCR just to watch it. Can't wait for the DVD.
shareIt was called "Emperor of the North Pole" on its initial theatrical release.
shareWhen it first came out in early '73, it was titled: 'The Emperor of the North Pole'. But, nobody went to see it. Some thought the audiances may be thinking it was a Christmas movie. So, 20th Century Fox decided to re-market & re-release the film later that year with a changed title: 'Emperor of the North'. They are the same movie, but they have different previews, posters and press kits.
The film, sadly, did not find a wide audiance. However, an audiance appreciative did find this great film after all these years. Many of them have posted here.
I perfer seeing the film the way the director intended. I am spoiled by letterbox. That said, on TV I've seen 'Emperor' on AMC, and they trim scenes and show it pan and scan. FMC has a 120 min letterbox version and ENCORE has shown it in Letterbox @ 120 mins. It is also on 'In Demand' Comcast cable, but in Full Screen @ 120 mins.
I really don't understand why this has not been released on DVD yet. If Encore has shown it in a widescreen version why doesn't 20th Century Fox just release it already? They released Prime Cut over the summer, so maybe there is hope soon.
shareIt would be nice if someone from the studio would back me up on this, but to my recollection "Emperor" was never released under its full title, at least in the U.S.. I paid special attention because I was one of the background extras, working on the railyard set in Cottage Grove and on two other locations during the course of about one week.
Our local theater where the movie was to be shown got a pre-release poster showing the full title that was beautiful and quite original. It was three or four feet across and ROUND! It resembled a railroad boxcar logo. (If anyone knows where I can acquire one of these, I'd be much obliged)
The next time I was in the theater, the poster had disappeared and, when I asked the manager, he told me the title had been shortened pre-release and that National General, the poster providers, had recalled all of the early posters.
Also, I believe the shooting title was "The Emperor of the North Pole" but don't hold me to that! It's been a few years....
Oregon Al
I can only cite very hazy memories but I'm pretty sure I remember TV commercials for it with the full name, probably because I also remember later on that last word had disappeared and I was thinking, "Huh? Didn't that used to be 'North Pole?'" Not that I actually saw it in either case but I think if they got as far as TV spots it presumably came out that way.
Sorta reminds me of NBC retitling "Honeysuckle Rose" as "On the Road Again" for TV broadcast.
Steve Kraus
Lake Street Screening Room - Chicago
According to amazon.com, this will be released on dvd June 6th, 2006. The title on the case will be the shortened one, omitting 'Pole', but nonetheless, it is finally coming out !
I SAW the film in its initial release, with the full title, 'Emperor of the North Pole'. Later, it was pulled, the word 'Pole' was removed & it was re-released. I was TOLD @ the time, that they changed it, because parents were taking their kids to see it--thinking it was about Santa Claus--& complained a lot--demanding refunds, I presume.
The local film critic said that it was, @ one time--"the most brutal & beautiful film yet this year". I remember that vividly.
I just ordered it on DVD from Turner Classic Movies' site.
I'd LOVE to get a copy with the true title on it, but not likely.
The new title makes zero sense. The term 'Emperor of the North Pole' is an analogy for the King of the Hobos--Lee Marvin's A No.1. There's nothing @ the N. Pole, so you're the Emperor of nothing--just as the King of the Hobos is the King of nothing. Perfect!
'Emperor of the North'? North of what? It's meaningless.
a note: The day I went to see it, the paper said they were sneak previewing a new film with Burt Reynolds, football & prison. Yes--I saw 'Emperor of the Noth POLE' AND the original 'The Longest Yard'--for the price of one--before 'Yard' even hit theatres here.
Carpe Noctem
Not much to add, but yeah, on TV in Canada, this used to run with the full title. And to add to Roger's thought, not only is the original title more meaningful, but it comes up a few times in the film. It's the better/truer title all-round.
Glad to know the logic of its shortening, tho'. Santa Claus, eh?
P.
Have you noticed it running w/the new title more recently, Ammacinn?
Carpe Noctem
I love the shortened title, it has a nice ring to it.
I thought it was pretty obvious that the movie took place in the Pacific Northwest Region of America. Before i knew of the full title I always thought Emperor of the North was the title given to the hobo who dominated that region of the country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym2xF6Wv-5E
Ah--see? There's nothing @ the North Pole. 'Emperor of the North Pole' means 'Emperor of Nothing'--'King of the Hobos'--A-No 1.
Carpe Noctem