The General

Plot

During the American Civil War in 1862, Confederate railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) is rejected from military service due to his valuable occupation as an engineer. When Union spies hijack his beloved locomotive 'The General' - which also happens to carry his sweetheart Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack) - Johnny embarks on a daring pursuit across enemy lines. After successfully reclaiming his train through a series of ingenious maneuvers and narrow escapes, Johnny must race back to warn Confederate forces of an impending Union attack. The film culminates in a spectacular battle sequence where Johnny's quick thinking and engineering skills help turn the tide for the Confederates, ultimately earning him the military recognition and respect he was initially denied, while winning back both his locomotive and his lady love.

Historical Background

The General was released in 1926, during the peak of the Roaring Twenties but just before the transition to sound films would revolutionize cinema. America was experiencing rapid modernization, yet there was also a wave of nostalgia for the Civil War era, which was then within living memory of some older Americans. The film's production coincided with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, a time when the nation was reassessing its past. The late 1920s also saw the rise of automobile culture, making trains seem increasingly obsolete, which added a layer of poignancy to Keaton's tribute to the railroad era. The film's initial commercial failure reflected changing audience tastes as viewers began preferring more sophisticated urban comedies over period pieces. The Great Depression, which began just a few years after the film's release, would dramatically alter American values and cultural priorities, making the film's themes of perseverance and resourcefulness particularly relevant in hindsight.

Making Of

The making of 'The General' was an epic undertaking that pushed the boundaries of silent filmmaking. Keaton and his team spent months scouting locations in Oregon to find suitable railroad tracks and landscapes that could pass for Civil War-era Georgia. The production involved coordinating two full-size steam locomotives, miles of track, and hundreds of extras. Keaton's perfectionism led to multiple takes of complex sequences, particularly the famous chase scenes. The bridge collapse sequence required building a 200-foot trestle bridge and timing its destruction perfectly with the train's passage. Marion Mack, playing Annabelle, suffered from exhaustion during the grueling outdoor shoots and was nearly seriously injured during one sequence. The film's massive budget and extended production time caused significant stress with United Artists, who had expected a typical comedy. Keaton's insistence on historical accuracy extended to authentic uniforms, weapons, and railroad equipment, much of which had to be specially built or located.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Bert Haines and Devereaux Jennings was revolutionary for its time, featuring extensive location photography and complex tracking shots that followed moving trains. The film utilized multiple cameras to capture action from various angles simultaneously, a technique that was still relatively new in 1926. The camera work often placed the viewer in precarious positions, creating vertiginous perspectives that enhanced the tension of the chase sequences. The cinematography successfully captured the massive scale of the railroad operations while maintaining intimate focus on Keaton's performance. The battle sequences employed wide shots to show the scale of the conflict, then cut to close-ups for emotional impact. The film's visual style influenced action cinematography for decades, particularly in how it integrated actors with large-scale mechanical action. The photography of the Oregon landscape created a convincing substitute for Civil War-era Georgia, with the natural scenery adding to the film's epic quality.

Innovations

The General featured groundbreaking technical achievements that set new standards for action filmmaking. The film's most spectacular technical feat was the destruction of a full-scale railroad bridge, which required precise engineering and timing. The production pioneered techniques for filming moving trains, including cameras mounted on locomotives and special tracks for camera dollies. The film's complex chase sequences required unprecedented coordination between multiple trains, extras, and camera units. Keaton's team developed innovative methods for creating convincing train crashes and derailments while maintaining safety standards for the performers. The film's use of long takes in action sequences demonstrated remarkable planning and execution. The battle scenes employed hundreds of extras and practical effects, including controlled explosions and simulated gunfire. The technical achievements extended to the restoration of authentic 19th-century locomotives and railroad equipment, which had to be modified for filming while maintaining historical accuracy. These innovations influenced action filmmaking for decades and remain impressive even by modern standards.

Music

As a silent film, The General was originally presented with live musical accompaniment that varied by theater. The suggested score included classical pieces like 'Dixie' and 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' to establish the Civil War setting. Modern restorations have featured new scores by composers such as Carl Davis and Robert Israel. These contemporary scores attempt to balance the film's comedic and dramatic elements, using period-appropriate instrumentation while maintaining cinematic sweep. The music must constantly adapt to the film's changing tones, from slapstick comedy to tense chase sequences to romantic moments. The sound design in modern versions includes carefully synchronized sound effects for the trains, creating an immersive experience that enhances the mechanical action. The absence of dialogue forces the music to carry emotional weight, making the score particularly crucial to the film's impact. Various versions exist with different musical interpretations, each offering a unique perspective on Keaton's vision.

Memorable Scenes

• The spectacular bridge collapse sequence where a burning train crashes into the river below - one of the most expensive single shots in silent film history
• Keaton sitting on the connecting rods of a moving train, rising and falling with the pistons in a display of incredible physical comedy
• The final battle scene where Johnny uses a railroad tie as a cannon to fire back at Union troops
• The moment when Johnny realizes his beloved locomotive has been stolen and begins his desperate pursuit
• The scene where Johnny must clear a railroad tie from the tracks while the train approaches at high speed
• The romantic moment where Johnny and Annabelle share a tender scene while hiding in the locomotive's tender

What Critics Said

Upon its initial release, critical reception was mixed to negative. Many critics found the film too expensive and self-indulgent, with Variety calling it 'a lot of money spent for very little returns.' The New York Times criticized its length and felt the comedy was too sparse for the epic scale. However, some European critics, particularly in France, immediately recognized its genius. Over time, critical opinion has completely reversed, with modern critics hailing it as a masterpiece. Roger Ebert called it 'an epic of beautiful proportions' and included it in his Great Movies collection. The film is now praised for its perfect blend of comedy and drama, its technical innovation, and Keaton's masterful performance. Critics particularly admire the film's sophisticated visual storytelling and its ability to generate suspense and humor without dialogue. The General is now widely regarded as not just Keaton's best film, but one of the greatest achievements in cinema history.

What Audiences Thought

Contemporary audiences in 1927 largely rejected The General, finding it too serious for a comedy and too comedic for a war film. The film's poor box office performance was a major disappointment for Keaton and United Artists. Audiences expecting the rapid-fire gags of his earlier shorts found the deliberate pacing and dramatic elements jarring. However, as decades passed, audience perception transformed dramatically. Modern audiences now appreciate the film's sophisticated blend of genres and its spectacular action sequences. The film has become a cult classic and is regularly screened at film festivals and revival houses worldwide. Audience scores on platforms like IMDb and Letterboxd consistently place it among the highest-rated films of all time. The film's reputation has grown through home video releases and television broadcasts, introducing new generations to Keaton's genius. Today, The General is celebrated by audiences as both a thrilling adventure and a work of cinematic art.

You Might Also Like