In order to impress his girl (Marion Mack), a locomotive engineer (Buster Keaton) tries to enlist in the Confederate army. His request is refused. The army needs trains to transport troops to the front. The girl is unimpressed. Union soldiers infiltrate the Confederate lines and kidnap the girl. Our hero fires up his trusty locomotive, “The General”, and sets off in pursuit.
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The review of this Movie prepared by John Reid
Johnny Gray (Keaton), a train engineer in the Deep South, loves his locomotive, "The General," as much as his girl, Annabelle Lee (Mack). At the outbreak of the Civil War, he is first in line to enlist, but is turned away because he is more valuable to the South as an engineer. He is not told the reason, however, and Annabelle is sure he didn't even try out of cowardice. She says she will never speak to him until she sees him in uniform. Shortly thereafter, Union spies steal The General, and Annabelle happens to be aboard. Johnny must go deep into enemy territory in hot pursuit aboard a similar locomotive, The Texas, to reclaim both his loves. This 1927 classic, shot with much attention to authentic detail -- from locomotives to army uniforms -- is a little silly and tedious at times, but remains a great tale, with a majestic train wreck (which started a real forest fire during filming in Oregon!) at its climax.
The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus
