The General (1927)

  • Rated Not Rated
  • 1hr 18m

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Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton

Writer:

Al Boasberg, Charles Henry Smith, William Pittenger

Release Date:

Feb 5, 1927

Runtime:

1hr 18m

Synopsis

After being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.

Cast

  • Buster Keaton
  • Marion Mack
  • Glen Cavender
  • Jim Farley
  • Frederick Vroom
  • Frank Barnes
  • Joe Keaton
  • Mike Donlin
  • Tom Nawn

Letterboxd User Reviews

4.2
182.8K
86.4K
52.6K
RATINGS 665 FANS
4.2
  • Feb 25, 2019

    Mad Max: Fury Railroad

    3.4K Likes
    Georgia Coley
    Georgia Coley
    Apr 30, 2014

    I'm not sure why people scoff at old movies. They are still new to those who have not seen them.

    2.8K Likes
    Julien Faddoul
    Julien Faddoul
    Dec 11, 2021

    I’m having one helluva time watching confederate propaganda dressed as slapstick. Cinema is dangerous.

    1.4K Likes
    CinemaVoid 🏴‍☠️
    CinemaVoid 🏴‍☠️
  •
    Jun 24, 2018

    Imagine escaping death this many times in one film.... The devil works hard, but Buster Keaton works harder.

    1.2K Likes
    sarah
    sarah
    Nov 7, 2023

    Not sure if I was more shocked by the incredible stunt work or finding out this was Confederate propaganda.

    1.0K Likes
    Joe A
    Joe A
    Mar 4, 2023

    Why can't this little guy just sit still

    892 Likes
    brendan o'hare
    brendan o'hare
  •
    Jun 18, 2020

    And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you slap a stick.

    638 Likes
    luvi
    luvi
    Jul 29, 2017

    so crazy that people have been trying to make an action movie better than this for almost a hundred years and haven't even come close

    595 Likes
    sydney
    sydney
    Nov 19, 2020

    Noooo, Buster Keaton, don’t romanticize the Confederates, you’re so funny aha.  Despite that glaring flaw, The General is most definitely my favorite of the three Buster Keaton films I’ve seen thus far. As opposed to his other works I’ve seen, and, truthfully, silent films…

    591 Likes
    claira curtis
    claira curtis

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Top Reviews
  • Platypus Lord
    Platypus Lord liked
    The General

    My first silent film (and Buster Keaton film).  As a fast reader, the pace of the text blurbs could be obnoxious at times. But the movie was charming, enjoyable, and well-done. Lots of creativity and talent on display here.

    2 🔥 1 2Y
    William Luckenbach
    William Luckenbach liked
    The General

    We’re it not for the lost causey-ness, this movie would be practically perfect. The stunts are breathtaking as they were a century ago and the gags are still drop dead hilarious. It’s just a shame how this film glorifies the confederacy. 7/10

    3Y
    Yeuris Asencio
    Yeuris Asencio liked
    The General

    Somewhat informative about the civil war, but it does do a good job with the comedy side. I don’t watch silent films but this one was fun and the pyrotechnics with the crashing train are pretty insane and risky nearing the end.

    1Y
  • MovieDaddy
    MovieDaddy loved
    The General

    Arguably the greatest silent movie ever made. The laughs come hard and fast, and the stunts (especially for the 1920s) are amazing. This movie proves that Buster Keaton was a full-fledged genius.

    3Y
    fish
    fish liked
    The General

    i was a little hesitant at first since i didnt know what to expect, but this was very fun to watch. it reminded me a little of tom and jerry lol

    1Y
    RitOlive
    RitOlive liked
    The General

    Buster Keaton is pretty funny, and despite this being propaganda for the Confederates, it’s a pretty funny, good movie. Actually enjoyed it!

    1Y
  • Vogue Italia
    Vogue Italia liked
    The General

    7/1/26: Fun train moments. Why are so many of history’s most famous films just the confederacy being like “well…we shoulda won”

    3M
    Mazio Turtle
    Mazio Turtle loved
    The General

    10/10 for me. Personally love it. Every re-watch i lough the same and just can't remember anything bad about it.

    3Y
    Parker Wilson
    Parker Wilson liked
    The General

    It’s a good one, isn’t as funny as his other works but I like the plot of this one the best

    1Y

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is The General (1927) (1927)?
The movie is 1hr 18min long.
What's The General (1927) (1927) about?
After being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.
Who's the cast of The General (1927) (1927)?
  • Buster Keaton as Johnnie Gray
  • Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee
  • Glen Cavender as Captain Anderson
  • Jim Farley as General Thatcher
  • Frederick Vroom as A Southern General
  • Frank Barnes as Her Brother
  • Joe Keaton as Union General
  • Mike Donlin as Union General
  • Tom Nawn as Union General
Who's the director behind The General (1927) (1927)?
Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton directed The General (1927) (1927).
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