Monday, May 4, 2009

The General (1926)

Day 124 - 5/4/09 - Movie #122

BEFORE: "The General" is a train, and its engineer is silent film star Buster Keaton. He has to get back the train, and his lady love, who was aboard when it was captured.

THE PLOT: When Union spies steal an engineer's beloved locomotive, he pursues it single handedly and straight through enemy lines.

AFTER: According to the host on TCM, this story was based on actual events, some Union soldiers stole a Confederate train and drove it north, destroying the rails along the way. It's a great showcase for Keaton's stunts, as he is able to ride and walk on various parts of the engine. But it's hard to call it a "comedy" given the serious Civil War framework. Some of the shots seem very complicated for the 1920's, including a train falling from a collapsing burning bridge.

RATING: 6 out of 10 water towers

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