THE FILM: THE GENERAL

THE GENERAL, 1926

Unitaed States of America, Georgia (American civil war)

The silent area

Director: Buster Keaton
Co-director: Clyde Bruckman

Cast:

• Buster keaton - Johnnie Gray (main character railroad engineer)
• Marion Mack - Annabelle Lee (Johnnie's girl)
• Glen Cavender - Union Captain Anderson
• Jim Farley - General Thatcher
• Frederick Vroom - Confederate General

Music:
Carl Davis (1987)
Robert Israel (1995)

The story:

     Johnny and Annabelle had almost a relationship but when the war was coming Johnny was not allowed to enlist so Annabelle didn´t want to hear anything from him untill he enlisted.
     One day, Johnny's train was stolen and Annabelle was kidnapped because she was in there. Johnny went after the rivals in comic action scenes. Johnny arrived till the soldiers without being seen and as he Heard some strategies of them he tried to rescue Annabelle and return to Georgia.

Analysis:

Of course my favourite character was the engineer, Buster Keaton, because he was amazing as much as actor and director. The film is pretty short and the main character's interpretation was great so anyone could see this film without big problems.

The story doesn't have any philosophical meaning because Keaton did this film just to have a good time and laugh. I think Keaton did it very well because I enjoyed the film more tan I expected and this is awsome considering the films we have nowadays.

The pitch:

- The war starts and the main character is not allowed to enlist
-  His train is stolen and he goes after it
- He catches them and he tries to return without being seen

The story pattern:

1. YOU: Johnny is a railroad's engineer
2. NEED: seduce Annabelle and get in uniform
3. GO: his train is stolen
4. SEARCH: Johnny steals another train and goes after his train
5. FIND: he finally arrives to his train
6. TAKE: his return home is very difficult with a lot of obstacles
7. RETURN:  he comes back and he is accepted
8. CHANGE: Annabelle falls in love with him and Johnny enlists