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IMDbPro

The General

  • 19261926
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 7m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
93K
YOUR RATING
Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
Trailer for The General
Play trailer1:03
2 Videos
91 Photos
ActionAdventureComedy
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 ... Read allAfter 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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
93K
YOUR RATING
    • Clyde Bruckman
    • Buster Keaton
  • Writers
    • Buster Keaton
    • Clyde Bruckman
    • Al Boasberg(adapted by)
  • Stars
    • Buster Keaton
    • Marion Mack
    • Glen Cavender
    • Clyde Bruckman
    • Buster Keaton
  • Writers
    • Buster Keaton
    • Clyde Bruckman
    • Al Boasberg(adapted by)
  • Stars
    • Buster Keaton
    • Marion Mack
    • Glen Cavender
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 340User reviews
    • 122Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #187
    • Awards

    Videos2

    The General
    Trailer 1:03
    Watch The General
    BUSTER KEATON: 3 FILMS [Masters of Cinema] Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set
    Trailer 1:34
    Watch BUSTER KEATON: 3 FILMS [Masters of Cinema] Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set

    Photos91

    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    "The General" Buster Keaton 1926 MGM
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton and Marion Mack in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    Buster Keaton in The General (1926)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Buster Keaton
    Buster Keaton
    • Johnnie Gray
    Marion Mack
    Marion Mack
    • Annabelle Lee
    Glen Cavender
    Glen Cavender
    • Captain Anderson
    Jim Farley
    Jim Farley
    • General Thatcher
    Frederick Vroom
    • A Southern General
    Frank Barnes
    • Her Brother
    Charles Henry Smith
    • Her Father
    • (as Charles Smith)
    Joe Keaton
    Joe Keaton
    • Union General
    Mike Donlin
    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)
    Keith Fennell
    • Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Budd Fine
    • Raider
    • (uncredited)
      • Clyde Bruckman
      • Buster Keaton
    • Writers
      • Buster Keaton
      • Clyde Bruckman
      • Al Boasberg(adapted by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scenes with the opposing armies marching, Buster Keaton had the extras (which included 500 Oregon National Guard troops) wear the gray uniforms of the Confederacy and march in one direction past the camera, then he had them change uniforms to the Union blues and had them march past the camera in the other direction.
    • Goofs
      Annabelle gets drenched when she and Johnnie stop for water, but as they return to the engine, her dress is dry.
    • Quotes

      Johnnie Gray: [to the recruiter who rejects him] If you lose this war don't blame me.

    • Crazy credits
      Although Buster Keaton is the star of this film, he is listed last in the on-screen credits.
    • Alternate versions
      In 2003, 'David H. Shepard' produced 75-minute video version with music by The Alloy Orchestra.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Golden Age of Buster Keaton (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      The General
      Written by William P. Perry

    User reviews340

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    The Greatest Comedy Ever Made
    THE GENERAL represents the greatest achievement screen comedy ever accomplished. From the brilliant gag construction to the sheer excellence of the filmmaking technique, THE GENERAL is a hilarious and amazing journey into comedy. Written and directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, Keaton brings brilliant gags into the story. The film begins when Keaton is told he is of no use to the South as a soldier, but as a train engineer. However, his girlfriend refuses to talk to him until he is in uniform. After the war has started, the girl is kidnapped by some Union raiders on Keaton's train, and so begins the greatest (and funniest) chase ever filmed. For the next 75 minutes, the viewer is in Keaton's world. His gags, routines and amazing slapstick serve to make this the greatest screen comedy ever filmed.

    -Matt, age 16
    helpful•61
    39
    • CHARLIE-89
    • Nov 20, 2000

    FAQ9

    • A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
    • Why do the two little boys follow Johnnie Gray around?
    • What's the name of that thing Buster Keaton is sitting on?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 2, 1927 (United States)
      • United States
      • None
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA
    • Production companies
      • Buster Keaton Productions
      • Joseph M. Schenck Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 7 minutes
      • Silent

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