The General (1927)
There’s a reason why The General has been hailed by film critics and students as one of the greatest silent films ever made: it’s true! Ever since I first saw it on the big screen—not in 1927, mind you, but during a special showing in my university’s theater—I fell in love with it and its leading man, Buster Keaton. It’s simply not possible to watch this movie and not find a special place in your heart for Buster. He’s incredibly talented, and a much better actor than most people give him credit for, and plays a “stock” character that’s infinitely more likable than Charlie Chaplin’s “tramp”. Charlie is a scoundrel who makes mischief; life happens to Buster and he has to think of a way out of it. There are exceptions, of course, but thankfully, The General is not one of them.
In this Civil War drama, Buster Keaton is in love with Marion Mack. When the war breaks out, everyone enlists, but Buster is not accepted; he’s much more valuable to the South as engineer to the train The General. Marion doesn’t see it that way, and she breaks off their romance. Brokenhearted, Buster keeps working on his train, and unwittingly gets involved in a very important part of the war.
Anyone who thinks one giant train chase can’t make an entertaining feature-length film obviously hasn’t seen The General. Co-directed, co-produced, and co-written by Buster himself, the technical aspects of this film are awe-inspiring for the time. Capturing such steady footage in motion was incredible. Sometimes the camera was mounted on a moving train and the footage was still steady! There are no green screens or special effects in this movie. Everything you see Buster Keaton doing he did. From crawling out onto the track when the train is still moving, to sitting on the coupling rods while the wheels pick up speed, to balancing on the pilot and throwing wood onto the track, to loading and firing a cannon, to coming face-to-face with a grizzly bear—everything is real and everything is Buster. Have I talked it up enough? In case I haven’t, Buster himself was prouder of this movie than of any in his entire career. Now, go out and watch it on the biggest screen you can find!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on YouTube. And thanks "UHF Channel 58" for posting!
More Buster Keaton movies here!
In this Civil War drama, Buster Keaton is in love with Marion Mack. When the war breaks out, everyone enlists, but Buster is not accepted; he’s much more valuable to the South as engineer to the train The General. Marion doesn’t see it that way, and she breaks off their romance. Brokenhearted, Buster keeps working on his train, and unwittingly gets involved in a very important part of the war.
Anyone who thinks one giant train chase can’t make an entertaining feature-length film obviously hasn’t seen The General. Co-directed, co-produced, and co-written by Buster himself, the technical aspects of this film are awe-inspiring for the time. Capturing such steady footage in motion was incredible. Sometimes the camera was mounted on a moving train and the footage was still steady! There are no green screens or special effects in this movie. Everything you see Buster Keaton doing he did. From crawling out onto the track when the train is still moving, to sitting on the coupling rods while the wheels pick up speed, to balancing on the pilot and throwing wood onto the track, to loading and firing a cannon, to coming face-to-face with a grizzly bear—everything is real and everything is Buster. Have I talked it up enough? In case I haven’t, Buster himself was prouder of this movie than of any in his entire career. Now, go out and watch it on the biggest screen you can find!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on YouTube. And thanks "UHF Channel 58" for posting!
More Buster Keaton movies here!