“If you lose this war don’t blame me.” —Johnnie Gray
Today’s quick review: The General. At the outset of the Civil War, Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton) tries to enlist in the Confederate army to impress his sweetheart Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack). Rejected from military service, Johnnie goes back to his job as a train engineer. But when Captain Anderson (Glen Cavender), a Union spy, steals his locomotive, Johnnie finally gets the chance to help the war effort by stealing it back.
The General is a classic comedy starring Buster Keaton. The film follows a Confederate engineer’s desperate attempts to save his train from a group of Union soldiers who want to use it to sabotage the South’s supply lines. Buster Keaton packs The General with his signature style of slapstick comedy. The train chase at the heart of the film offers an endless supply of gags, and Keaton’s physical humor is among the best ever put to screen.
Beyond Keaton’s performance, The General is impressive for its scale. Train crashes, acrobatic stunts, a full-blown battle, and a complete story help the film feel larger than just a one-off gag. Even during the train chase, The General goes through several different stages, giving it a sense of progression that many early comedies lack.
The General is a must-see for fans of slapstick comedy. Its endlessly inventive jokes, talented lead, and sense of cohesion make it one of the gems of the silent film era. Not everyone will appreciate what The General has to offer due to its heavy reliance on slapstick. But viewers in the mood for a playful comedy will find that The General stands the test of time.
For another classic comedy from Buster Keaton, check out College. For even more ridiculous slapstick aboard a train, try the Marx Brothers’ film Go West. For a comedy of similar scale from the silent film era, try The Gold Rush.
8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for excellent stunts and impressive scale.