The One Buster Keaton Film You Need To See
With no doubt, Buster Keaton's film, The General, is the best film he'd ever made. The action, the stunts, the cinematography, the sets, it was all incredible.
Buster Keaton was born Joseph Frank Keaton on October 4th, 1895. His parents were traveling performers, and at the age of four, he joined them on stage. Keaton was thrown around the stage by his dad, trampled on, and kicked into the audience for laughs. Harry Houdini, who traveled with Keaton and his parents, gave Keaton his life-long nickname, Buster, after he had a nasty fall down the stairs, but was not injured during the fall; Keaton wasn't "busted up" like Houdini said he should be.
Buster learned at a young age that the jokes were not as funny when he smiled at them, but the audience did think them more amusing when he did not react to them; this is how he became to be known as "the great stoneface." In his films, he never smiles; he always has a serious, almost emotionless look on his face.
Buster became an actor for films after meeting Fatty Arbuckle and also became Arbuckle's chief joke writer. He was soon given a personal production unit, the Buster Keaton unit, and started making his own films as writer, producer, director, and lead actor.
The General
In 1926, Buster set out to make his masterpiece that would be called "The General." This feature-length film, set during the civil war, portrayed a confederate railroad engineer setting out to rescue his lover, who the Union had kidnapped.
This film used 3.7 miles of film (I think that is so interesting!).
Today, The General is recognized as one of the greatest films ever made; indeed, Buster Keaton's masterpiece. However, when it first came out, it did not get the same reviews. The audience thought it was "the least funny thing he'd ever made." It was considered a failure. The film's budget was $750,000, but it barely made back $475,000 in the box office. This caused Buster to lose his independence as a filmmaker; his production company, United Artists, told him he'd have to have a production manager to monitor and control every film he made to ensure the production was as cheap as possible.
Fun fact: the most expensive shot in silent cinema history was in this film
Nowadays, old movies are fun to watch and see how cheesy and funny they are. Even more recent films, films with sound and color, can be fun to look back at. Silent films, however, seem to have been left in the dust; no one wants to watch a silent film these days.
But think about it; these films told an entire feature-length story with almost no words (they would use title cards). How cool is that when you really think about it? Being able to tell a story in an entertaining way in silence...that's pretty impressive, to say the least.
It's hard for people nowadays to watch silent films because they have no dialogue and that makes it seem so disinteresting (I think it makes it more interesting).
Why bother watching silent films at all?
"These movies laid the foundation for everything Hollywood gives us today. So watch them and appreciate them."(Jason Hellerman).
If you truly are a movie lover then you should watch a few silent films. These films were the original products of this art form we call filmmaking. It is so interesting to see how things were done when they had limited technology to work with. Silent films should be appreciated.
Why Do You Need to Watch The General?
The reason you need to see this silent film is not only because it is a classic, but also because it is still considered to be one of the best films ever made (this is including films made today). This film was revolutionary. Keaton was able to tell a story that wasn't all just crazy stunts and jokes, but a real serious story that had a real plot (still with stunts and jokes, of course).
Keaton created an absolute masterpiece with The General and it should still be recognized today.
You can even watch the film on YouTube! Check it out below.
Opinions and Perspectives
Its amazing how much story he tells through pure visual comedy. Truly a master of the craft.
I always notice something new each time I watch it. Such attention to detail throughout.
Reading about the production really makes you appreciate the film even more. Such an ambitious project for its time.
What impresses me most is how he manages to make such complex sequences look completely effortless.
The technical achievement alone makes this worth watching. Add in the comedy and its perfection.
Sometimes I forget Im watching a silent film because the story is so engaging.
Love how natural all the physical comedy feels. Nothing seems forced or overly choreographed.
Those train stunts still make me nervous even after multiple viewings. Cant imagine filming those today.
The way he incorporates historical accuracy while still keeping it entertaining is brilliant.
Its incredible how much planning must have gone into each sequence. The logistics are mind-boggling.
The train sequences must have required such precise timing. One mistake and the whole shot would be ruined.
His ability to tell such a complex story without words is remarkable. Real visual storytelling at its finest.
Finally watched this after putting it off for years. Now I understand why its considered a masterpiece.
The way he uses depth in his shots is incredible. Always something happening in both foreground and background.
I keep trying to spot the camera tricks but then realize most of it was actually done for real.
Not many films from the 1920s still feel fresh today, but this one definitely does.
The sequence where he sits on the train coupling is still nerve-wracking even though I know he survives!
Really wish modern comedies would study films like this instead of relying on dialogue for every joke.
Always impressed by how he makes such dangerous stunts look effortless.
Interesting to see how this influenced later action-comedy films. You can see its DNA in modern movies.
The scene transitions are so smooth for a film of this era. Really advanced for its time.
Just discovered this film recently and cant believe I waited so long to watch it. Pure cinematic gold.
Im still amazed by how they managed those tracking shots with the technology available then.
Each time I watch it I notice new details in the background. The level of detail is amazing.
The more you know about early filmmaking techniques, the more impressive this movie becomes.
Its remarkable how much emotion Keaton conveys without changing his expression. Truly earned his Great Stone Face nickname.
The chase sequences still hold up against modern action films. Really shows how timeless good filmmaking can be.
Fascinating how losing independence after this film affected his later work. Such a shame given how brilliant this was.
The way he uses the entire frame for comedy is masterful. Modern comedies often miss this kind of visual humor.
I appreciate how the film doesnt rely on cheap gags. Every stunt serves the story.
That famous shot of the train falling into the river still looks impressive today. Cant believe they actually did that!
Having no dialogue really makes you focus on the visual storytelling. Modern films could learn from this.
The scene where he clears the track of obstacles while the train is moving is pure choreographed perfection.
Been showing this in my film studies class for years. Students are always surprised by how much they enjoy it.
The way he incorporates the trains as both props and co-stars is genius. Each machine has its own personality.
Took me a while to get used to the pacing of silent films, but now I really appreciate the artistry.
My favorite part is when he uses the cannon. His timing and expression are absolutely perfect.
I read somewhere that Keaton insisted on authenticity with the Civil War details. Really adds to the film.
Never realized how much planning must have gone into these elaborate train sequences. The logistics are mind-boggling.
The stunt where he sits on the cowcatcher still makes me nervous every time I watch it.
Watched this with live orchestra accompaniment last month. Completely different experience from watching it at home.
The romance subplot is actually quite sweet. Adds nice depth to what could have been just an action comedy.
Just watched it for a film class and was surprised by how modern some of the humor feels.
Learning about the 3.7 miles of film used makes me appreciate the editing process even more. Imagine cutting all that by hand!
I find it interesting how much physical comedy relied on timing back then. You really had to nail it in one take.
Its amazing to think they filmed this without any safety measures we have today. Modern insurance companies would have a fit!
The scene where he throws railroad ties to clear the tracks while running is just perfect comedy timing.
Watching Keaton work with real trains makes modern CGI look kind of silly in comparison.
I love how the film balances comedy with genuine dramatic moments. That was pretty innovative for its time.
The restoration work done on this film is incredible. The version available now looks so crisp and clear.
My grandfather introduced me to Keaton's films when I was young. The General was always his favorite, and now I understand why.
Hard to believe they spent $750,000 on this in 1926. That would be millions today. The train crash alone must have cost a fortune.
The story behind his nickname Buster is fascinating. Imagine surviving such a fall as a kid that even Houdini was impressed!
I respectfully disagree about it being his best film. Personally, I think Steamboat Bill Jr has some of his most innovative work.
Keaton learned his craft the hard way from childhood. Pretty wild how his early vaudeville experience shaped his later film career.
Anyone else catch the influence this film had on modern action movies? Those chase sequences were way ahead of their time.
The Civil War backdrop adds such an interesting historical element to what could have just been a simple comedy.
I showed this to my kids last week and they loved it! Really proves that great physical comedy is timeless.
What amazes me most is how they filmed those complex train sequences with such limited technology. Must have taken incredible planning and precision.
You should give it another chance. Try focusing on the visual storytelling and amazing cinematography. It took me a second viewing to really appreciate it.
Not sure I agree with everyone praising this movie. I tried watching it but found it really hard to stay engaged without dialogue. Maybe I'm just too used to modern films.
The way Keaton maintains his deadpan expression throughout the most dangerous stunts adds so much to the comedy. Modern comedians could learn a thing or two from him.
I actually prefer silent films to many modern movies. There's something so pure about telling a story primarily through visual means rather than dialogue.
Just learned about the train crash scene being the most expensive shot in silent film history. Imagine dropping a real locomotive into a river for one scene! They sure don't make them like this anymore.
Am I the only one who finds it sad that this film was considered a failure when it first came out? It's fascinating how audience tastes have changed over time.
The fact that Keaton did all his own stunts is mind-blowing. That scene where he sits on the train's connecting rod while it's moving? Pure genius and absolutely terrifying.
I finally watched The General last night and I'm absolutely blown away by Keaton's physical comedy. Those train sequences were incredible considering they were done without any special effects!