Johnnie Reb

#18—The General

When most people think of the silent film era, most people will think of the great Charlie Chaplin (City Lights). Chaplin could be considered the face of the silent film era of Hollywood. However, what some people don’t realize is that another actor/director could be considered just as popular in silent films. That actor would be Buster Keaton (Sherlock, Jr.), who in his own right is an amazing comedic actor with a sparkling resume of silent films. One of Keaton’s films has made it on the AFI’s Top 100 List with The General coming in at #18.

When news spreads throughout the Southern states that war has started, Southern men of 1861 want nothing more than to serve and protect the South. Train engineer, Johnnie Grey (Keaton) is no different than any other man in the South. Unfortunately for Grey, when the recruitment office finds out what Grey does for an occupation, they turn him away sensing that he is more valuable as a train conductor than an actual soldier. Feeling dissuaded, Grey keeps on with his job. When a year passes, Grey gets his opportunity to prove his worth to the Southern Army when a band of Northern spies hijack his train. Grey must get his train back and warn the Southern generals of what the North has planned for his train.

I am going to admit that with every silent film I watch, I still have to get used to what I am watching. Spoiled with sound, I always have to remind myself of the era from which the film ascends from. When I accomplish that, I find that some of these silent films are better comedies than the ones of now. The General is one of those films. I’m always so impressed on how simple actions can produce just as much laugher as words can. I find myself being more interested in the actors’ movement and facial expressions than I do the ‘dialogue’ of a silent film. Of course this is all that anyone can do when they watch a silent film, but I think that it is a testament to the film when someone of my generation can still find this film funny.

Keaton is the lead, the director, and the writer of this film. Hailed in the 1920s as one of two comedic geniuses, Keaton is able to get the audience to feel his emotions through the film. I am also fascinated by Keaton’s timing in the film. Certain comedic actions seem downright dangerous if Keaton’s timing was off. I supposed this is due to how well his direction was during the production of this film. I am going to admit that I haven’t seen enough silent films to really know what I am looking for when it comes to critiquing their directorial skills.

Like what I have previously written about City Lights (check it out here), I encourage everyone to watch a few silent films like this one. The film is genuinely funny and very well acted. Like music, I believe that we all must appreciate the classics, such as The General, to really value films of today.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time.