Just amazing. Really, really impressive scenes with the railway engines and a physically incredible Keaton.
Buster drives "The General" to trainload of laughter.
During America’s Civil War, Union spies steal engineer Johnny Gray's beloved locomotive, 'The General'—with Johnnie's lady love aboard an attached boxcar—and he single-handedly must do all in his power to both get The General back and to rescue Annabelle.
Top Cast
Buster Keaton
Johnnie Gray
Marion Mack
Annabelle Lee
Glen Cavender
Captain Anderson
Jim Farley
General Thatcher
Frederick Vroom
A Southern General
Frank Barnes
Annabelle's Brother
Charles Henry Smith
Annabelle's Father
Joe Keaton
Union General
Mike Donlin
Union General
Tom Nawn
Union General
Henry Baird
Soldier (uncredited)
Joe Bricher
Soldier (uncredited)
Jimmy Bryant
Raider (uncredited)
Sergeant Bukowski
Officer (uncredited)
C.C. Cruson
Officer (uncredited)
Jack Dempster
Raider (uncredited)
Reviews
There's quite a lot going on here - it is certainly comedic, but there is also plenty of action and even some romance in this American Civil War story. Keaton ("Johnnie") has been deemed more important as a railroad engineer so was rejected as a soldier - but this causes his girlfriend "Annabelle" and her family to think he is yella'! When the Yankees concoct a plan to steal his engine "The General" whilst she is…
This is Keaton’s masterpiece, a flawed one, yes. It’s not funny enough and the story could be developed more. But it is significant, flaws and all. The closest a film will ever get to flawed perfection.
FAQ about The General
What is The General about?
During America’s Civil War, Union spies steal engineer Johnny Gray's beloved locomotive, 'The General'—with Johnnie's lady love aboard an attached boxcar—and he single-handedly must do all in his power to both get The General back and to rescue Annabelle.
When was The General released?
The General was released in 1926.
What genres does The General belong to?
The General is categorised as Comedy, War, Romance.
Who stars in The General?
The cast of The General includes Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick Vroom.