The General, a silent slapstick Western comedy, stars Buster Keaton, who also directed it along with Clyde Bruckman.
It was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, a true event during the American Civil War. The story was adapted from the 1889 memoir The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger.
At the time of its initial release, The General was not well received by critics and audiences, resulting in mediocre box office returns.
Critical Status:
Because of its then-huge budget ($750,000 by Metro chief Joseph Schenck) and failure, Keaton lost his independence as filmmaker and forced into restrictive deal with MGM.
In 1954, the film entered the public domain in the US because its claimant did not renew copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.
The General has since been reevaluated, and is now ranked among the greatest American silents ever made.
In 1989, it was selected by the Library of Congress to be included for preservation in the US National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
Narrative Premise:
When Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie Gray arrives in Marietta, Georgia, he visits the home of Annabelle Lee, one of the two loves of his life, the other being his locomotive, The General. News arrives that the American Civil War has broken out, and Annabelle’s brother and father rush to enlist in the Confederate Army. To please Annabelle, Johnnie hurries to be first in line to enlist, but is rejected because he is more valuable as an engineer, although he is not told that reason. On leaving, he runs into Annabelle’s father and brother, who beckon to him to join them in line, but he walks away, leaving them with the impression that he does not want to enlist. Annabelle informs Johnnie that she will not speak to him again until he is in uniform.
When Annabelle receives word that her father is wounded, she travels north on the W&ARR, with The General pulling the train. When it makes a stop, the passengers and crew detrain for a quick meal.
Union Army spies led by Captain Anderson use the opportunity to steal the train. Anderson’s objective is to burn all the railroad bridges he passes, preventing reinforcement and resupply of the Confederate army. Annabelle becomes an inadvertent prisoner of the raiders.
Johnnie gives chase, first on foot, then by handcar and boneshaker bicycle, before reaching the station at Kingston. He alerts the army detachment there, which boards another train to give chase, with Johnnie manning the locomotive the Texas. However, the flatcars are not hooked up to the engine and the troops are left behind. By the time Johnnie realizes he is alone, it is too late to turn back.
The Union agents try various methods to shake their pursuer, including disconnecting their trailing car and dropping railroad ties on the tracks. As the chase continues northward, the Confederate Army of Tennessee is ordered to retreat and the Northern army advances in its wake. Johnnie finally notices he is now behind Union lines, and the hijackers see that Johnnie is by himself. Johnnie stops the Texas and runs into the forest to hide just as a downpour develops.
Johnnie steals some food, but hides underneath a table when Union officers enter. He overhears their plan for surprise attack and that the Rock River Bridge is essential for their supply trains.
He then sees Annabelle taken to a room under guard. Johnnie manages to knock out both guards and free Annabelle, and they escape into the rainy woods.
Johnnie and Annabelle find themselves near a railway station where Union soldiers and equipment are being organized for the attack.
Seeing The General, Johnnie devises plan to warn the South. After sneaking Annabelle onto a boxcar, Johnnie steals his engine back.
Two Union trains set out after the pair, while the Union attack is launched. In a reversal of the first chase, Johnnie has to fend off his pursuers. Finally, he starts a fire behind The General in the center of the Rock River Bridge, to cut off the Union’s supply line.
Johnnie warns the Confederate commander of the impending attack.
Meanwhile, Annabelle is reunited with her convalescing father.
The pursuing Texas drives onto the burning bridge, which collapses. When Union soldiers try to ford the river, Confederate fire drives them back.
Johnnie returns to his locomotive to find the Union officer, who was knocked out earlier regaining consciousness. He takes the officer prisoner and is spotted by the Confederate general. As reward for bravery, he is commissioned a lieutenant and given the captured officer’s sword.
In the exhilarating ending, Johnnie uses his left hand to embrace Annabelle while using his right to salute the passing soldiers.
Cast
Buster Keaton as Johnnie Gray
Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee
Glen Cavender as Union Captain Anderson
Jim Farley as General Thatcher
Frederick Vroom as a Confederate general
Charles Smith as Annabelle’s father
Frank Barnes as Annabelle’s brother
Joe Keaton as a Union general
Mike Donlin as a Union general
Tom Nawn as a Union general
Duration: 75 minutes and 52 seconds.
