The General

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1:43

The General

1927

1h 23m

Comedy

Action

Adventure

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny's fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton's boundless wit and dexterity.

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Critics Consensus

Brilliantly filmed and fueled with classic physical comedy, The General captures Buster Keaton at his timeless best.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

May 27, 2022

4.5/5

The Mad Max: Fury Road of its day.

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Kate Muir

The Times (UK)

Sep 23, 2014

5/5

In these times when all risk is assumed by CGI effects, Keaton's squealing funny, exquisitely timed, death-defying leaps are all the more breathtaking.

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jan 23, 2014

5/5

The film boasts the most sustained passages of virtuoso slapstick genius Keaton ever shot, and an unflagging momentum that lets it get away with being a reel longer than most of his best-known pictures.

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Tom Hutchinson

Radio Times

Jul 22, 2024

5/5

Keaton's genius lay not just in the nuts and bolts of invention, but in the creation of an endearing character.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Apr 8, 2023

... a masterpiece, one of the finest silent films ever made and one of the great film comedies of all time.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

May 13, 2022

3.5/4

It’s hard to imagine Buster Keaton without trains.

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Andrew M

@RT33897781 7 hrs ago

Although admittedly I didn't find it all that funny there was definitely a few moments where I was chuckling to myself. I think this movie is much more if an action epic and Keaton the original action movie hero the stunt work and practical effects in this for a movie that's 100 years old are fantastic

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Kyle L

@RT34381379 3 days ago

Still a classic and one heck of a comedy though the only issue most people will not like its a movie about the civil war about the south. Overall, the movie is still good to watch as a classic.

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Jacob W

@RT17896586 3 days ago

Directed and staring Buster Keaton. With no stunt doubles or CGI this remains one of the greatest comedies ever made

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Janav S

@TheCoolJ92781 Sep 15, 2026

One of the most famous timeless masterpieces in cinema history, Buster Keaton revolutionized film with The General. While probably not for modern audiences, it's got a beautiful narrative and great cinematography.

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Drew D

@Roadwarrior52 Jul 28, 2026

Very innovative and interesting in its stunt work.

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Jayden C

@RT79235533 May 20, 2026

I found the general to be a film that flowed well, especially due to the absence of dialogue. The subtitles and expressions were more than enough to understand and relate.

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Clyde Bruckman

Director

Buster Keaton

Director

Buster Keaton

Johnny Gray

Marion Mack

Annabelle Lee

Glen Cavender

Union Capt. Anderson, Chief Spy

Jim Farley

Gen. Thatcher

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The General: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, this film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny's fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton's boundless wit and dexterity.

Director: Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton
Producer: Buster Keaton, Joseph M. Schenck
Screenwriter: Clyde Bruckman, Al Boasberg, Buster Keaton, William Pittenger, Charles Smith, Paul Smith
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Radio Films S.A.E.S.A. [es], Cineteca S.A., Madacy Entertainment Group Inc. [us], Andrés Vicente Gómez Montero [es], Reel Media International [us], United Artists, Kino Video, Thames Video Collection, Republic Pictures, Aikman Video, LS Video
Production Co: United Artists, Buster Keaton Productions Inc. [us]
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 1927, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 23m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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