"The General" (1927) is Keaton's most outstanding masterpiece and is considered one of the best silent films in the United States. In 1977, the Motion Picture Association of America included it among the 50 best films in film history. For Keaton, this film brought him a huge honor, but it was also the film that lost the most money in his career as a director. It can be said to be a turning point in his life's career.
The story of the film is based on the book "The Great Chase of the Locomotive" about the Civil War. Keaton took over many important tasks such as screenwriting, director, starring, editing, and subtitles. In the film, Johnny, the train driver he plays, only loves two things in his life, one is his "General" locomotive, and the other is his girlfriend Anna. He was rejected for enlistment and was misunderstood and scorned by Anna, who thought he was a coward. However, when "General" and Anna were taken abducted by the Northern Army, Johnny spared no effort and pursued the enemy indefinitely and embarked on a thrilling rescue operation.
With the development of the movie to this day, almost any unconstrained imagination can be realized by computer special effects. At that time, all the shocking spectacle effects were created with real shots and real shots. And Keaton used Jackie Chan's life-threatening shooting method, all the shots were personally put on the battle, refused to use the double. His improvisational talent is also fully revealed in the movie, and he blends the gag comic scene with the advancement of the storyline. At first glance, the film seems to be a pure chase film. As time progresses, it can be seen that it has surpassed the films of the same period and presented as an intricate narrative whole.
There is a plot in the film presented as precise and symmetrical beauty: the enemy is driving the General, Johnny chases after him, and the enemy uses every means to hinder him. Later, Johnny drove the General and used the same method to hinder the enemy, and all the scenarios were repeated. At the climax of the film, Johnny led the enemy to a wooden bridge on the Rock River, and then set the bridge on fire. The arrogant enemy decided to take the risk and drove over the flaming bridge. In the end, the bridge collapsed and the car fell. A real locomotive fell into the river with scorching steam. The shot alone cost $42,000. , This may be the most expensive lens at the time.
Keaton is more obsessed with expressing his personal style in the film, rather than blindly conforming to the preferences of the audience at the time. After the release of "General", the critics at the time were not optimistic, and the audience's response was mediocre. The film was not rediscovered until many years later. However, the active image of the "General" jumping up and down has long been fixed in the hearts of movie fans. When the whole world leaned forward and backward for his comical performance, he still looked calm and indifferent, and concentrated on his love. .
btw. Orson Wells likes this film very much and thinks Keaton is more creative than Chaplin.
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