Movie Club: The General (1926)

We're up to the #17 best movie, the silent comedy, action, and adventure film, The General, from 1926.

The movie is set during the American Civil War and is based loosely on a true event, the Great Locomotive Chase!

Buster Keaton plays Johnnie Gray, a train engineer in the South whose beloved locomotive, The General, is stolen by Union spies with the intent of sabotaging the Confederate supply lines. Johnnie's journey to retrieve The General and save the day, despite not being accepted into the Confederate Army, forms the core of the story line.

Along the way, Johnnie's love interest, Annabelle Lee, is also inadvertently taken aboard the stolen train, adding a personal rescue mission to his adventure.

Keaton's impeccable comic timing and innovative use of visual gags make the film a masterpiece of silent comedy. His stoic expression, contrasted with the chaos around him, created a unique and influential comedic style.

This will be my first watch and my first exploration of Buster Keaton, who both stars and directs. The silent film City Lights came in at #11, and I had a blast exploring Charlie Chaplin's brilliance for the first time. Here's hoping for a similar level of delight!

Give this movie a (fresh) watch, and join me to share your thoughts!

Luella