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Summary in 1 sentence
The General is a silent film comedy about a Southern railroad engineer who embarks on a daring adventure to rescue his kidnapped sweetheart and his stolen locomotive from Union spies during the American Civil War.
Summary in a Twitter post
In "The General", Buster Keaton delivers a silent film masterpiece, blending comedy and drama in a Civil War setting. His character's love for his train and his girl leads to a thrilling chase and daring stunts. A must-watch classic! #SilentCinema #BusterKeaton #ClassicFilm
Summary in an SMS/text message
"Watch The General! Silent film where Buster Keaton plays a train engineer in Civil War. His train & love are stolen by Union spies. Epic chases, stunts & comedy ensue. He becomes a hero!"
Summary in a Facebook post
Just watched "The General" - a silent film gem by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton. A rollercoaster of emotions as train engineer Johnnie Gray embarks on a thrilling journey to rescue his beloved train and his girlfriend, kidnapped during the Civil War. Keaton's comedic genius shines through, making it a must-watch! #ClassicCinema #SilentFilmMagic
Summary in a 1 minute read
The General is a silent comedy film directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton. It tells the story of a train engineer named Johnnie Gray, who is rejected from the Confederate Army during the Civil War because he is deemed more valuable as an engineer. His girlfriend, Annabelle Lee, believes he is a coward and breaks up with him. When Union spies steal his beloved train, The General, with Annabelle on board, Johnnie must use his skills to chase after them and save her. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and comedic mishaps, including a group of Union soldiers disguised as civilians. Despite the challenges, Johnnie manages to rescue Annabelle and prove his bravery. The film is known for its impressive stunts and physical comedy, as well as its historical accuracy in depicting the Civil War era.
Summary in 1 page
- Johnnie Gray: Johnnie is a train engineer in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He is in love with Annabelle Lee and is determined to prove his bravery and worthiness to her.
- Annabelle Lee: Annabelle is Johnnie’s love interest and the daughter of a railroad owner. She is initially disappointed in Johnnie for not enlisting in the army, but later realizes his true bravery.
- General Thatcher: General Thatcher is Annabelle’s father and a supporter of the Confederacy. He is initially skeptical of Johnnie’s abilities, but later becomes impressed with his bravery.
- Union spies: A group of Union spies, led by Captain Anderson, infiltrate the Confederate army and steal a train, including Annabelle and Johnnie’s beloved train, The General.
- Annabelle’s family: Annabelle’s family is taken hostage by the Union spies and held on the stolen train.
The General is a 1926 silent comedy film directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton. The film is set during the Civil War and follows the story of Johnnie Gray, a train engineer in the Confederate Army. Johnnie is in love with Annabelle Lee, the daughter of a railroad owner, and is determined to prove his bravery and worthiness to her.
The film begins with Johnnie trying to enlist in the Confederate Army, but he is rejected because he is more valuable as an engineer. Annabelle, disappointed in Johnnie for not enlisting, refuses to speak to him until he is in uniform. However, Johnnie’s chance to prove himself comes when Union spies, led by Captain Anderson, infiltrate the Confederate army and steal a train, including Johnnie’s beloved train, The General.
Johnnie, determined to get his train back and save Annabelle’s family who are being held hostage on the stolen train, sets off on a wild chase. He uses his skills as a train engineer to chase after the Union spies, but his attempts are comically unsuccessful. He is constantly outsmarted by the Union spies and ends up in hilarious situations, such as accidentally blowing up a bridge.
As Johnnie continues his pursuit, he is joined by Annabelle, who has escaped from the train. Together, they come up with a plan to stop the Union spies and save Annabelle’s family. They manage to successfully derail the stolen train and rescue Annabelle’s family, but Johnnie is captured by the Union army.
In a surprising turn of events, Johnnie is mistaken for a Union spy and is sentenced to be hanged. However, Annabelle and her family come to his rescue and help him escape. Johnnie then leads a daring rescue mission to save Annabelle from the Union army.
In the end, Johnnie is hailed as a hero and is finally able to win Annabelle’s love and approval. The film ends with Johnnie and Annabelle happily reunited on The General, which has been restored to its former glory.
The General is a classic silent comedy that showcases Buster Keaton’s physical comedy and clever stunts. The film also has a historical significance as it was one of the first films to use actual Civil War-era trains and costumes. It was a critical and commercial success and is now considered one of the greatest silent films of all time.
In conclusion, The General is a hilarious and heartwarming film that follows the adventures of Johnnie Gray as he tries to save his train and win the love of his life. With its clever humor and impressive stunts, it is a must-watch for fans of silent comedies and classic films.
FAQ
- What is the movie The General about?
The movie follows the story of a train engineer during the American Civil War. - Who directed The General?
The movie was directed by Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton. - When was The General released?
The movie was released in 1926. - Is The General a silent film?
Yes, The General is a silent film with intertitles. - Who stars in The General?
Buster Keaton stars as the main character, Johnnie Gray. - Is The General based on a true story?
No, the movie is not based on a true story, but it is loosely inspired by real events. - What is the running time of The General?
The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 47 minutes. - What genre does The General fall under?
The movie is considered to be a comedy and an action-adventure film. - Did The General receive any awards or nominations?
No, the movie did not receive any awards or nominations during its initial release. - Is The General available in color?
No, the movie was originally filmed in black and white and has not been colorized. - What is the significance of the title The General?
The title refers to the name of the train that plays a central role in the movie. - What is the budget of The General?
The movie had a budget of approximately $750,000. - Where was The General filmed?
The movie was primarily filmed in Oregon and California. - Is The General considered to be a successful film?
Yes, The General is now considered to be one of the greatest films of all time. - What is the critical reception of The General?
The movie received mixed reviews upon its initial release, but has since been praised by critics. - Does The General have any notable scenes?
Yes, the movie is known for its iconic train chase scene. - Is The General suitable for all ages?
The movie is generally considered to be family-friendly, but does contain some violence. - What is the significance of The General in film history?
The movie is considered to be a landmark in silent film and has influenced many filmmakers. - Is The General available to stream online?
Yes, the movie can be streamed on various platforms such as Amazon Prime and YouTube. - What is the overall plot of The General?
The movie follows Johnnie Gray’s journey to rescue his train, The General, from Union spies during the Civil War. - Does The General have any comedic elements?
Yes, the movie is known for its physical comedy and slapstick humor. - What is the significance of The General’s release date?
The movie was released on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. - Is The General considered to be historically accurate?
No, the movie takes many liberties with historical events and details. - What is the budget of The General?
The movie had a budget of approximately $750,000. - Is The General available in other languages?
Yes, the movie has been dubbed and subtitled in various languages for international release. - What is the legacy of The General?
The movie is considered to be a classic and has been preserved in the National Film Registry.
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