The general silent film

Watch films by luis bunuel and salvador dali, charlie chaplin, dziga vertov, d. It was inspired by the great locomotive chase, a true story of an event that. In the first johnnie pursues the general and everything goes wrong. Buster keaton the general 1926 silent movie action comedy. The general, as roger ebert describes it, is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a civil war episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous. Today the general is considered one of the best silent feature length films, and one of the few silent films to not only be on dvd but to get the blu ray treatment. It is set during the american civil war 186165 and highlights the theme of personal redemption. What was the general state of filmmaking in each of these periods, and how and why does that explain the way movies were made. Hollywood great buster keaton directed and starred in the general. Griffith, alfred hitchcock, sergei eisenstein, fritz lang, f. I have been given the green light for my project and while i have many thoughts of my own i was wondering what silent film would you play first to really grab people to spark an interest so t. History of the motion picture the silent years, 191027.

The carthage wind orchestra from carthage college in kenosha, wis. The general is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a civil war episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous stunt sequences, and an actual locomotive falling from a burning bridge into a gorge far below. The oyster river middle school jazz band and orms eighth grade concert band present. The 1926 silent film will be screened friday accompanied by a soundtrack by organist bob salisbury. Arguably, the finest film of the silent era, but quite certainly, the most beautiful pictorially, according to william k. Nov 18, 2008 kino initially released a dvd of the general in 1999, which looks like every other version ive seen in theaters or at homethe focus is soft, and the tinted film stock is faded, scratched.

Buster keaton stars as johnny gray in his 1926 silent film the general, which was filmed in cottage grove, oregon. The general is an american silent comedy film released by united artists inspired by the great locomotive chase, which happened in 1862. Johnnie and the conspirators switch uniforms, roles, and levels of competency so fluidly that any conventional notion of valour, heroism or even rightness of purpose is undermined. The general buster keaton film analysis senses of cinema. The years before sound came to the movies are known as the silent era among film scholars and historians. Greetings all, i work in small theater and i have decided that i want expose more people to silent films. The silent film was filmed in rolls of 35 mm and at slower speeds than the films with sound, it is for this reason that they tend to seem artificially fast, which emphasizes its unnatural aspect. The moment in which the exasperated johnnie feigns strangling his dream girl and then swiftly kisses her is one of the more memorable romantic gestures in silent film. Built around a majestic prop that becomes a character in its own righta locomotive steam engineit is still filled with intimate moments. Silent era home page psfl the general 1926 a growing source of silent era film information.

How buster keaton filmed the general chaplinkeaton. If a minus mark was available then presentation of this film deserves it. Charlie chaplin in the 1931 silent film city lights, released after the first talkies. The general is a civil war tale, the fictionalized account of an attempted hijacking of a confederate train called the general by union spies in 1862. The simplest approach to film history is to divide it into eras of silent and sound production. It was inspired by the great locomotive chase, a true story of an event that occurred during the american civil war. The general, american silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian buster keaton, and cited by many film. The copies previously uploaded here were either incomplete or too blurry.

Kino initially released a dvd of the general in 1999, which looks like every other version ive seen in theaters or at homethe focus is soft, and the tinted film stock is faded, scratched. The general then gives him an officers coat and the yankees surrendered sword. It was shot on july 23, 1926 the most expensive single shot in silentfilm history. Buster keaton stars in the general 1926, the silent film comics epic tale about a confederate train engineer during the u. Union solders have stolen the general, a confederate train manned by johnnie gray, who was unable to enlist in the confederate army because he is needed as an engineer.

Commonly considered to be one of keatons masterpieces. He poses for annabelle and is enlisted as a lieutenant. A silent film is a film which consists of only the picture, that is, it has no sound. Aug 22, 2018 buster keaton stars in the general 1926, the silent film comics epic tale about a confederate train engineer during the civil war. Travel back to the golden age of silent films, as the oyster river middle school jazz band and eighth grade concert band accompany the classic 1926 buster keaton film, the general. The civil war adventureepic classic was made toward the end of the silent era.

I had the honor of introducing buster keatons 1926 masterpiece the general at the san francisco silent film festivals inaugural a day of silents festival held in 2014. History of silent movies silent film resources octane. Of the three great american clowns of the silent era, charlie chaplin, buster keaton and harold lloyd, keaton has emerged, by and large, as the cinephiles favourite over chaplin, who was the greater star of his day and held the preeminent position in critics eyes for the first half of the last century. Preceding the show, these informational slides below prepared by the festivals artistic director anita monga, ran on a loop as people took their seats. It is set during the american civil war 186165 and highlights the theme of. Buster keaton plays johnny gray, a southern railroad engineer who loves his train engine, the general, almost as much as he loves annabelle lee marion mack. Three or four thousand local people from all over the area had gathered on that hot summer day to witness what would be the single most expensive shot of the silent era. From nosferatu to the general why the 1920s is my favourite film decade chaplin and keaton made millions laugh, but silent cinemas greatest classics were the fruit of wild european fancy. Youthful locomotive engineer johnnie gray of the watern and atlantic railroad has two loves in his life, his train engine, which he has named the general, and his girl friend annabelle lee. Still, for anyone who has never seen a silent picture or, worse, seen only. Royalty free music and creative commons music from kevin macleod. The monumental task committee press conference and demonstration by descendants of general p. In this silent film, a confederate engineer fights to save his train and his girlfriend from the union army. Including some of the most important films ever made.

The general is a 1926 silent film starring buster keaton and codirected by keaton and clyde bruckman. How buster keaton filmed the general chaplinkeatonlloyd. After a brief explanation, the general has johnnie remove the uniform that does not belong to him, as annabelle and her father watch. The general, perhaps the greatest film ever made, and 20. Media for the 1926 united states silent film the general. Brilliantly filmed and fueled with classic physical comedy, the general captures buster keaton at his timeless best. Nov 09, 2017 greetings all, i work in small theater and i have decided that i want expose more people to silent films. Oh dear, the picture had a scar running down one side of the frame throughout most of the film and it suddenly finished before the end. The generalis a 1926 americansilentcomedy filmreleased byunited artists. Apr 06, 2020 the general, american silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian buster keaton, and cited by many film historians as one of the greatest american movies. In 1862, after spies steal his locomotive, the general, he wages a oneman battle to recover it. Buster keatons oregonfilmed the general tours state. In silent films for entertainment, the plot may be conveyed by the use of title cards, written indications of the plot and key dialogue lines. The story was adapted from the memoir the great locomotive chase by william pittenger.

Ironically, though often named one of the best films of the silent era as well as keatons personal best film, the general is not keatons most characteristic film, and was a critical and boxoffice flop in its own day. That is the reason there are so many versions of the general out there today, often with poor video and hideous musical accompaniment. The title writer became quite a silent film professional, even got to be mentioned in the credits just like the screenwriter. Silent film or silent cinema were basically that, films that had neither voice nor music. But now its up to gray and his love, annabelle lee, to reclaim the general, recross enemy lines, and warn the confederates. It was adapted by al boasberg, bruckman, keaton, charles henry smith uncredited and paul. Use the handy links below to get started on your free music odyssey. Buster keaton stars in the general 1926, the silent film comics epic tale about a confederate train engineer during the civil war. No silent moviemaker ever engaged with the machinery of modern life as resourcefully as buster keaton did. Nov 08, 2018 buster keatons masterpiece and one of the greatest silent movies of all time was filmed in the cottage grove area in the summer of 1926. After making three features of a more modest scope, the general 1926 marked his return to filmmaking on an ambitious scale.

The idea of combining motion pictures with recorded sound is nearly as old as the motion picture itself, but before the 1920s, most films were silent. National catholic register arguably the greatest of buster keatons silent comedies, the general begins with a single, brilliantly sustained premise and works it into an engaging story that combines edgeofyourseat excitement, stunningly conceived stunts and sight gags, spectacular set pieces, touching sentiment, and a rousing finale. The train scene from buster keatons the general is the. To celebrate its 90th birthday, the hollywood theatre has commissioned an. History of the motion picture history of the motion picture the silent years, 191027. Media in category the general the following 32 files are in this category, out of 32 total. A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound and in particular, no audible dialogue. It was inspired by thegreat locomotive chase, a true story of an event that occurred during theamerican civil war. The film stars buster keaton who codirected it with clyde bruckman. Why you really do need to see buster keatons the general. Silent films, usually made with low budgets and few resources, were an important evolutionary stage in the development of movies, since they forced filmmakers to tell engaging narrative stories with actors who could emote with body language and facial expressions. Silent film ideas general discussions tcm message boards.

The union plans to use the train to supply its soldiers in a sneak attack against the confederates. The classic adventure movie, rated among the top films. A typical keaton vehicle spends the first two acts with story gags and plot complications, then goes for broke in the last. The general is a 1927 american silent comedy film released by united artists based upon the great locomotive chase from 1862. Keaton expert noel carroll points out that the film is divided into roughly two parts. T beauregard, new orleans, louisiana, 2017 citrus trees with cross pollination shield, fresno, california, 2019.

This listing is from the progressive silent film list by carl bennett. The general is a 1926 american silent comedy film released by united artists. Royalty free music is what everyone wants, because royalties suck. The general, perhaps the greatest film ever made, and 20 other buster keaton classics free online. I fully expected some picture flaws and i am happy to watch less than perfect picture quality on films of this vintage. Keatons stunts and nonstop predicaments entertain, even in multiple viewings. To learn more about this fascinating time in the history of the theater, please view the following resources, and re. Today the general is considered one of the best silent feature length films, and one of the few silent films to not only be on dvd but to get the blu ray treatment too. Silent comedy classic the general featuring beloit. Silent film what is, characteristics, origin, history. From nosferatu to the general why the 1920s is my favourite. The silent movie provided entertainment to people for decades and provided the industry with a springboard to talking pictures, and the movies we know today.

Johnnie takes annabelle to the general, and they sit together on the siderod. The general film pdf buster keatons masterpiece and one of the greatest silent movies of all time was filmed in the cottage grove area in the summer of 1926. The general 1927 is an imaginative masterpiece of deadpan stoneface buster keaton comedy, generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies and keatons own favorite and undoubtedly the best train film ever made. Inspired by the great locomotive chase, which happened in 1862, the film stars buster keaton who codirected it. Scene from the birth of a nation 1915, the highestgrossing silent film in the united states a silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound and in particular, no audible dialogue.

Silent films, usually made with low budgets and few resources, were an important evolutionary stage in the development of movies, since they forced film makers to tell engaging narrative stories with actors who could emote with body language and facial expressions. The general belongs to at least three movie genres. Other silent actors might mug to get a point across, but keaton remained observant and collected. Silent film accompanist ben models october 2018 schedule includes shows on piano and organ of bela lugosi as dracula, joan crawford as a flapper, and more.

Apr 04, 2018 from nosferatu to the general why the 1920s is my favourite film decade chaplin and keaton made millions laugh, but silent cinemas greatest classics were the fruit of wild european fancy. Buster keaton starred in the film and codirected it with clyde bruckman. Jul 28, 2014 the general is a 1926 american silent comedy film released by united artists. Some record original scores, some carefully piece together a score from public domain sources and some slap on an irrelevant soundtrack. What made alice guyblache noteworthy among the earliest filmmakers, as can be seen in her debut the cabbage. Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Silent film classic the general cresco times plain dealer. The music youre hearing was added by its distributor. The general is a classic film and deserves much better than this dvd can offer. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the general silent film wlive piano near you. Sep 06, 2016 it was shot on july 23, 1926 the most expensive single shot in silentfilm history.