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Movies / On DVD / The General
The General

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The General (1927)

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Reviews Counted:36

Fresh:33

Rotten:3

Average Rating:8.8/10

Rated: U

Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:03-02-2006

Synopsis: The two things engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) loves most in the world are his Southern belle sweetheart and his locomotive. When Northern spies steal the latter, the intrepid Confederate... The two things engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) loves most in the world are his Southern belle sweetheart and his locomotive. When Northern spies steal the latter, the intrepid Confederate single-handedly takes on the entire Union army in order to get it back. Against a backdrop of magnificently photographed Civil War battle scenes unfolds one of the great chases in movie history. Set almost entirely aboard moving trains, Keaton's THE GENERAL is physical comedy refined to elegant perfection and widely considered to be the actor-director's greatest film. [More]

Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Charles Smith, Frank Barnes

Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Charles Smith, Frank Barnes, Joe Keaton

Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman

Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The General

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Among the finest comedies of all time, it wears its greatness lightly.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
04/02/08
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

Spectacular chases, fires and explosions are captured with fluid camerawork. There are no stunt doubles for Keaton and of course no digital effects.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
04/02/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The birth of slapstick.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/02/08
Simon Braund
Simon Braund
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Amongst the greatest of all silent comedies, The General isn't just important, it's bloody hilarious.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
04/02/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Only superlatives will do to describe Keaton’s hilarious Civil War dramatic comedy.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Newcomers will doubtless be surprised at the excellent pacing of the action.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/17/02
Almar Haflidason
Almar Haflidason
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Keaton proves as endlessly clever and athletic as his screen surrogates...chock-full of hilarious sight gags, including bits of business that incorporate moving trains, cow-catchers, a bear (and bear trap), and a misbehaving cannon. [Blu-ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
11/25/09
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

The General isn't likely to be the favorite opus of the star's purist fans, but it's the one with the trappings of ambition and historical poesy

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
11/11/08
Bill Weber
Bill Weber
Slant Magazine

The result is a flop.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 2 Comments
01/11/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An almost perfect entertainment.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/11/08
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

This is by no means so good as Mr. Keaton's previous efforts.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
03/25/06
Mordaunt Hall
Mordaunt Hall
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the greatest comedies ever produced. It is Keaton at his inventive best.

comment Comment
01/27/06
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
03/27/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
07/09/04
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

Silent classic is one of Keaton's best

comment Comment
05/20/04
Daniel Eagan
Daniel Eagan
Film Journal International

No review available.

comment Comment
05/06/04
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Keaton's genius has never found more perfect expression.

comment Comment
05/02/04
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

Begins with a single, brilliantly sustained premise and works it into an engaging story with edge-of-your-seat excitement and stunningly conceived stunts and sight gags.

Full Review Source: Decent Films Guide | comment Comment
03/22/04
Steven D. Greydanus
Steven D. Greydanus
Decent Films Guide

Vastly overrated; moderately charming but I think I laughed once.

comment 1 Comment
12/22/03
Gabe Leibowitz
Gabe Leibowitz
eCinemaCenter.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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