The Emperor's Club

Does Sedgewick come from a dysfunctional family?

Headmaster Woodbridge: "... The wisdom gained here..." (0:05)

Teacher William Hundert tells the class, "... men of profound character..." (0:09)

Student Louis Masoudi answers William, "... he said a man’s character is his fate..." (0:14)

Movie poster for Le Mepris (0:18)

William tells teacher James Ellerby, "... Very kind of you." (0:22)

Student Sedgewick Ball asks his classmate Martin Blythe, "So, uh, Martin, are you really like nervous about..." (0:24)

Martin: "Guys, I’m really nervous." (0:25)

Movie poster for Breathless (0:27)

William: "... drunkenness sobered..." (0:30)

William tells Sedgewick’s senator father Hiram Bell, "Sedgewick is clearly an intelligent boy..." 
”... Sedgwick... is not paying attention in class...” 
”... the highest standards... of character...” (0:35)

William writes on the blackboard, "What are the effects of the gracchan crisis...?" (0:40)

William tells librarian Miss Peters, referring to Sedgewick, "... I can vouch for this boy’s character..." (0:43)

Poster for À bout de souffle (1:01)

Ellerby tells William, referring to Sedgewick, "... You must be very proud of him..." (1:03)

William, narrating: "... his effect on them was almost hypnotic... blind to any deficiencies in his character..." (1:05)

William, narrating: "... Terence Woodbridge passed away..." 
Memorial service (1:07)

Elizabeth tells William, "I’m still shocked at James Ellerby." 
William: ”... I’m only shocked that I didn’t see it coming...” (1:11)

William, referring to his students: "... a bunch of drunken reprobates..." (1:17)

William tells Martin Blythe, "... I was worried..." (1:18)

Sedgewick tells William, referring to Hiram, "... he was... always charming... he passed away..." (1:21)

Masoudi: "... Thank you for your kindness." (1:24)

Sedgewick tells William, "... I’ll worry about my contribution later." (1:35)

William, narrating: "... I could be shocked... with learning, a boy's character might be changed..." (1:41)