The General (1926)

Directors: Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton

Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender

After being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.

‘The General’ is a silent film set during the American Civil War in 1861. Our protagonist is Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton), a railroad engineer, who is recruiting for the war. However, he is said to be more valuable as an engineer, and can’t be enlisted.

When Union spies steal a train, and the love of Johnnie’s life, Annette, becomes a prisoner on the train, the rest of the film becomes a chase to get the train back. The film is highlighted by innovative and dangerous stunts, performed by Buster Keaton himself, often endangering his life. These stunts are mind boggling, and I can’t help but wonder how on Earth they accomplished this almost a hundred years ago – without CGI or even a computer!!

Most of the film is set on trains, and is a classic damsel in distress story, with an unlikely hero. The climax is stunning (for its time) and fantastic still even by today’s standards. Even if you don’t like silent movies, do yourself a favour and watch ‘The General’, even if just for the stunts. It is an entertaining action-packed adventure comedy drama.

‘The General’ is currently among the top-rated movies of all time.

(Silent Film)

Would I watch it again? Yes.