“The General” is a silent slapstick Western action comedy movie inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, a Civil War incident where North and South military personnel were involved in a back-and-forth railroad skirmish. Buster Keaton stars as a train engineer, with his deadpan delivery perfect for this role in particular and silent pictures in general. He also co-directed, co-wrote, and co-produced the film. He even had a hand in the editing process, and performed many dangerous stunts on and around the moving trains.
However, when the film underperformed at the box office against a huge budget, Keaton was blamed and had a more restricted role in movies after this. “The General” has since been reevaluated, and is now considered one of the best films of all time.
Co-stars of “The General” includes Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick Vroom, Charles Henry Smith, Frank Barnes, Mike Donlin, Tom Nawn, and Joe Keaton, a vaudeville performer who was father of Buster Keaton. “The General” was a joint venture between Buster Keaton Productions, Joseph Schenck Productions, and United Artists.
The General (1926)
cinema
My Review
“The General” is a silent slapstick Western action comedy movie inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, a Civil War incident where North and South military personnel were involved in a back-and-forth railroad skirmish. Buster Keaton stars as a train engineer, with his deadpan delivery perfect for this role in particular and silent pictures in general. He also co-directed, co-wrote, and co-produced the film. He even had a hand in the editing process, and performed many dangerous stunts on and around the moving trains.
However, when the film underperformed at the box office against a huge budget, Keaton was blamed and had a more restricted role in movies after this. “The General” has since been reevaluated, and is now considered one of the best films of all time.
Co-stars of “The General” includes Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick Vroom, Charles Henry Smith, Frank Barnes, Mike Donlin, Tom Nawn, and Joe Keaton, a vaudeville performer who was father of Buster Keaton. “The General” was a joint venture between Buster Keaton Productions, Joseph Schenck Productions, and United Artists.