More of this Feature ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS: • Emile Hirsch ('Sedgewick Bell') and Kevin Kline ('William Hundert') • Steven Culp ('Martin Blythe') • Ethan Canin (Author, "The Palace Thief") • Jon Voight ("Holes") • Jorja Fox and Archie Kayo ("C.S.I.") • Rachel Boston and Sarah Ramos ("American Dreams") • Danica McKellar ("Talking In Your Sleep") • Camille Winbush ("The Bernie Mac Show") and Model Irina Voronina ADDITIONAL "The Emperor's Club" INFORMATION: • Photos from the Premiere of "The Emperor's Club" • "The Emperor's Club" News, Trailer, and Websites • "The Emperor's Club" Production Photos

Related Resources • Calendar of Upcoming Releases • News on Upcoming Releases • New in Theatres or on Video • Movie Reviews • Casting News

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EDWARD HERRMANN ('Headmaster Woodbridge')

Were you familiar with the short story, "The Palace Thief," prior to being cast in “The Emperor's Club?”
I was not. I was pleased to read it though. I thought it was interesting and rich with all sorts of associations and suggestiveness. I thought it was good.

Can you describe your character in this film?
He's a good man who runs a wonderful school. He's very aware of the heritage of the school. He makes a bad choice. He makes a choice that the physical well being of the school, the material well being of the school, i.e. the support of the senator, is more important than this little episode of cheating. It is a key to the whole drama because it presents the dilemma and puts it on Kevin [Kline's] plate and he knuckles under, too. And then you rue that.

One wonders what happened to the headmaster - he just conveniently dies along the way. But Kevin has to deal with his choice his whole life. We see an example of how power is exercised in the world. It makes it a very powerful, universal film.

Was there a teacher in your life who was really inspirational?
Oh yes, you bet. In high school, in college - in college I had at least three or four. In graduate school I had one who was spectacular, who kind of shook the box and all the pieces fell into place. [This teacher] taught me that artists don't write books, poets don't write poems, and painters don't make paintings to be studied, but because they couldn't do anything else. It was a cry from the heart - all these things had to be. Books suddenly became not exercises to be tested on but to be experienced to understand my own condition.

Was that a powerful lesson?
It was a huge lesson and it changed my life.