A Review of The General, 1926
The General is entertaining, to say the least. Buster Keaton’s performance can be appreciated at an even greater scale in considering his tripartite role of not only lead actor, but as both writer and director of the film as well. The lack of dialogue scarcely matters, the plot moves quickly by means of slapstick comedy while the protagonist, Johnnie Gray, races to rescue his two loves. The fast pace is aided by technical aspects such as the use of jump shots and long shots and also by the incidental music, or underscoring, that influences the mood of each scene.
The General exhibits all the traditionally classic Hollywood film guidelines and despite the stock, predictable storyline, in 1926 this film pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. From the dangerous scenes on the train, with no stuntman and only one take to get the shot, to exploring camera angles and movement. The point of view shots during the scene where Keaton is hiding under the table demonstrate the attempt to explore alternate camera angles and the effects that these different points of view can produce. The point of view that frames Annabelle through the hole in the tablecloth emphasizes the character and the reverse close up of Johnnie’s eye serves as a reaction shot, emphasizing his surprise in seeing Annabelle in enemy hands. These reaction shots are consistent throughout the film, Keaton’s deadpan expression in regards to his circumstance add to the comedic experience. Aside from a few noticeable errors in continuity and some less noticeable anachronisms, The General represents a milestone in the film industry.
All technical aspects aside, one thing I found most interesting, in relation to the theme of the class, was that the hero, Johnnie Gray, is a Confederate soldier. The audience wants the protagonist to succeed and, thus, thwart the Unionist victory. In reality, I am assuming, most viewers do not hold Confederate sympathies, but the hero in film distorts our alliances and allows us to explore perspectives contrary to our own. Stories and films provide a platform where we allow ourselves to connect to the character and their story, despite whose side they represent in realistic terms. The General is an ideal representation of our ability to relate to the human condition through film.
~ Alison Ames