The General

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance, War, Silent

Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is in Marietta, Georgia to see one of the two loves of his life, his fiancee Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack)—the other being his locomotive, The General—when the American Civil War breaks out. He hurries to be first in line to sign up with the Confederate Army, but is rejected because he is too valuable in his present job.

A year passes, and Annabelle receives word that her father has been wounded. She travels north on the General to see him. When the train makes a stop, the passengers detrain for a quick meal. As planned, Union spies led by Captain Anderson (Glen Cavender) use the opportunity to steal the train. Annabelle becomes an inadvertent prisoner.

Johnnie gives chase, first on foot, then by handcar and boneshaker bicycle, before reaching a station in Chattanooga. He alerts the army detachment there, which boards another train to give chase, with Johnnie manning the locomotive, the Texas. However, the flatcars are not hooked up to the engine, and the troops are left behind. By the time Johnnie realizes he is alone, it is too late to turn back.

At nightfall, Johnnie stumbles upon the Northern army encampment. He overhears them discussing their plan to launch a surprise attack; Johnnie learns that securing the Rock River Bridge is essential for their supply trains. He then sees Annabelle brought in; she is taken to a room under guard while they decide what to do with her. After the meeting ends, Johnnie manages to knock out both of the guards and free Annabelle. After sneaking Annabelle, hidden inside a sack, onto a boxcar behind the General, Johnnie steals his engine back.

Reaching friendly lines, Johnnie informs the local army commander of the impending attack. Confederate forces rush to defend the bridge. As a reward for his bravery, Johnnie is commissioned as a lieutenant in the army and given the captured officer's sword. (Wikipedia)

Movie Info

Directed by: Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack
Screenplay by: Al Boasberg, Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton
Based on: The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger
Music by: Carl Davis (1987), Robert Israel (1995), Baudime Jam (1999), Joe Hisaishi (2004), Timothy Brock (2005)

Release dates: 1926
Running time: 75 minutes
Country: United States
Language: Silent film, English intertitles

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