The General

The General follows Johnnie Gray as he attempts to save his two loves, his fiancé Annabelle Lee and his train, The General, from Union soldiers. Buster Keaton is the only silent film star to rival Charlie Chaplin, and The General is a shining example of Keaton’s brilliance. It is an epic of silent comedy with set pieces and moments that still shock and awe today. Audiences did not well receive the film upon release but has since gained recognition and respect for its incredible stunts and comedy.

Production

Directed by Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton

Produced by Joseph Schenck, Buster Keaton

Screenplay by Al Boasberg, Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton, Charles Henry Smith, Paul Gerard Smith

Based on The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger

Starring Buster Keaton, Marion Mack

Music by William P. Perry (1926), Carl Davis (1987), Robert Israel (1995), Baudime Jam (1999), Joe Hisaishi (2004), Timothy Brock (2005), Angelin Fonda (2017)

Cinematography by Bert Haines, Devereaux Jennings

Edited by Buster Keaton, Sherman Kell

Production company: Buster Keaton Productions, Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Distribution & Stats

Distributed by United Artists

Release date: December 31, 1926 (Tokyo), February 5, 1927 (New York City)

Running time: 75 minutes (8 reels) (times vary with different versions)

Country: United States

Language: Silent film, English intertitles

Budget: $750,000, ($10,614,192 today)

Box office: $1,000,000 (worldwide)