What is The General movie about?
One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny’s fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton’s boundless wit and dexterity.
The General/Film synopsis
Why is The General a good movie?
“The General” is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a Civil War episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous stunt sequences, and an actual locomotive falling from a burning bridge into a gorge far below.
Is the movie The General based on a true story?
The General is a 1926 American silent comedy film released by United Artists. It was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, a true story of an event that occurred during the American Civil War. The story was adapted from the 1889 memoir The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger.
Is The General a Confederate movie?
No, it does not. The film is clear as day in its endorsement of the Confederacy’s ideology of white supremacy. Winning his true love, Annabelle (Marion Mack), is conditional on his fighting in the Confederate army, because Annabelle’s Father and Brother are stern partisans.
Is the train from the general still there?
A half-million-dollar movie scene In reality, it was the Row River, just south of Cottage Grove. Most of the train is now gone, but Lloyd Williams of the Cottage Grove Historical Society told reporter Meghan Kalkstein in 2007 that bits of track and steel can still be seen in the river when the water level is low.
Why does the army refuse to let Buster Keaton enlist?
The story takes place during the civil war on centers on Johnnie Gray (Keaton) a train operator in the South. Johnnie is not accepted for service in the confederate army because of his value on the railroad, and suffers the shame of being home while the other men are fighting a war.
What is the climax of the general movie?
The visual majesty of the film reaches its climax, appropriately enough, with the climax of the film, the final battle between the Confederate and Union troops across a gorge.
What is the theme of the general movie?
The General, American silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian Buster Keaton, and cited by many film historians as one of the greatest American movies. It is set during the American Civil War (1861–65) and highlights the theme of personal redemption.
What was Buster Keaton famous for?
Buster Keaton, original name Joseph Frank Keaton IV, (born October 4, 1895, Piqua, Kansas, U.S.—died February 1, 1966, Woodland Hills, California), American film comedian and director, the “Great Stone Face” of the silent screen, known for his deadpan expression and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy.
How old is Buster Keaton?
70 years (1895–1966)
Buster Keaton/Age at death
How does Johnnie sneak Annabelle back onto the train?
Dressing as the Enemy: Johnnie does this to discreetly retrieve both Annabelle and his engine from the Union forces. He then forgets to take off the disguise until a bystander on his side takes a shot at him.