the general

First off, The General is a perfect mix of comedy and action, which was rare back then, and still hard to pull off today. It’s based on a real Civil War story, but Keaton turns it into this incredible, fast-paced adventure full of clever gags, jaw-dropping stunts, and perfectly timed physical comedy.

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And speaking of stunts, Keaton did all of them himself. That includes running across moving trains, jumping between cars, and standing on top of a speeding locomotive. No special effects, no stunt doubles - just pure, old-school bravery and precision. It’s amazing to watch even now.

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What’s also cool is how cinematic it feels. Keaton wasn’t just a great physical comedian; he was a brilliant director. The camera work, the scale of the production (especially the famous train crash scene!), and the way he builds the tension all feels surprisingly modern. You can see how it influenced generations of filmmakers, from Jackie Chan to Wes Anderson.

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On top of that, The General shows Keaton at his most expressive and resilient. He plays a train engineer who’s considered too "valuable" to fight in the war. But when his train (and his girl) get taken by Union spies, he goes after them alone. It’s a story of determination, resourcefulness, and underdog charm, and Keaton plays it with his signature deadpan brilliance.

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So yeah, The General is worth watching because it’s funny, exciting, visually stunning, and historically important. Even if you’re not usually into silent films, this one has a way of pulling you in and making you forget there’s no dialogue. It’s that good.