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| The General
Year: 1927
Classification: Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)
Directed:
- Clyde Bruckman
Actors/Actresses:
- Jon Voight
- Buster Keaton
Hilarious - a must-see!
Quite simply, The General is HILARIOUS! Although I am generally not a huge fan of silent movies (I prefer the classic sound films), The General is an exception. Way ahead of its time, this film was not initially well recieved and was a big flop, but it is now considered by many to be Buster Keaton's finest film. Overall, the General is truly a showcase of Keaton's brilliance as a comedian and stuntman.
The General is set in the Civil War. Basically, it is the story of an engineer named Johnny Gray who, after being rejected from serving in the Southern army and consequently not being able to marry his sweetheart (she will only have him if he is in the army), finds himself engaged in a huge chase to get his train back after it is stolen from him by a small group of Northerers. The chase is hilarious - it has often been imitated, but nothing can compare to the original - and Keaton's expressions, especially his famous deadpan expression, are hysterical.
Anyhow, this classic comedy is a must-see. Keaton's antics are great, and it is amazing to think that he did all his daredevil stunts in an era where special effects were nonexistent (if you wanted to crash a train off a bridge, you actually had to do it)! The General is perfect for the whole family (this is my 11 year old brother's favorite movie, he has seen it at least 100 times) and is a real treat to watch. I don't know how else to recommend this - get it and enjoy!
A Masterpiece of silent comedy.
What else can one say about "The General?" It is arguably the greatest comedy of the silent film era. The American Film Institute in its recent "100 Years, 100 Laughs" list of the 100 funniest movies, rates "The General" higher than any other silent movie, putting it ahead of Chaplin's great films. Kino's print of the film on this DVD is wonderful. "The Playhouse" is an enjoyable short film, and "Cops" is masterwork of physical comedy and provides some excellent shots of Los Angeles in the early twenties.
Those hoping to start a Buster Keaton DVD collection should start here, then move on to "Sherlock, Jr." and "Our Hospitality."
Quest and Love
This movie is ranked in top twenty best films ever made. It is a tribute to Keaton that words matter so little in what must have been a technological marvel for its day. The incredible danger that Keaton and Marian Mack endured while skipping and lurching on top of very real trains and locomotives would not be duplicated by preening stars today. Part of the charm of a story of quest and love, is the danger endured by the hero and heroine against all odds. As in most films of this era, there is a naive quality to romance. The action however, especially on a big screen is fascinating. How did Keaton think up all the possibilities of locomotive spills and chills? This film is totally original and has influenced 100's of films that followed.
Buy The General at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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