General (SMAK)

Young machinist Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) is rejected by the Confederate army. He is to serve the country from the back by driving a locomotive called the “General”. To make matters worse, his sweetheart Matty accuses him of cowardice. One day, the locomotive is hijacked by an enemy. Johnny throws himself into a frantic chase.

The general is considered to be one of the peak achievements of Buster Keaton, called the “stone-faced comedian”. The expensive production turned out to be a financial fiasco in its time, the film was also coldly received by critics, and the General's mastery was only appreciated years later.

Video version with recorded music.

Screening as part of the 27th Silent Film Festival | SMAK, or Meeting of Young Cinema Amateurs.

Previously, as part of the 17th Silent Film Festival.