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General, The (Delta) (1927)
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Perhaps one of the most accomplished and successful of silent film classics, Buster Keaton's The General not only stands as the quintessential masterpiece of its comedian-director, but also epitomizes the elegance and artistry of the silent film era.
In The General, Buster Keaton stars as the faithful train engineer, Johnnie Gray, who desperately wants to join the Civil War but is turned away by the army on account of being more valuable to the war effort as a train operator. After several comic attempts at sneaking into the army fail, Johnnie turns dejected. However, this does not last long, for soon thereafter, when his lady love Annabelle Lee and his beloved train are hijacked by the enemy, Johnnie goes to action and joins in the battle to win back all that is dear to him. After a sheer struggle of determination and a battle of wits, he becomes a hero and a decorated soldier.
Setting the trend for today's action-comedies, Keaton combines a unique mixture of daring stunts and breathtaking sight gags that will leave you both mesmerized and in stitches. Who can forget the awe-inspiring near misses, the speeding train crashes, and the unwieldy cannon? Executed with perfect timing and aimed at enhancing the narrative and character development of the film, Keaton's visual storytelling leaves much to admire and inspire. So "all aboard" The General, and get ready for the comedic ride of a lifetime.
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