Tom Cruise May have done some typical stunt work, but his art still stands buster keatonThe immeasurable contribution of the generally. Keaton’s love of carnage and thrills has made him one of the most famous figures in film history. By 1926, his charisma had mesmerized audiences left and right. What few people know, however, is that the Civil War-set romantic comedy, which is Keaton’s proudest film, has yet to be at its best.
Buster Keaton’s shoot was inspired by his eventual co-director Clyde Brookman after the latter told him locomotive chase, Memoirs of a Union Army Soldier William Pettinger. Since the comedian was interested in trains, he decided to continue the project but changed the point of view of the novel. Instead of making the protagonist a Union soldier, Keaton decided to make him a member of the Confederate States, which sparked national controversy.Finally found an area in Oregon with vintage railroads, companies supplying vintage locomotives, producers Joseph Schenk Production was approved and Keaton’s team was awarded $400,000 in collaborative funding. While that was a huge number, especially at the time, it was just the tip of the iceberg of how much a movie cost.
What is “The General” about?
generally tells the story of Johnny Gray and his beloved daughter Annabel Lee (marion mack), and his train during the Civil War, aptly named “The General.” Johnny was essentially compelled by circumstance to join the Confederate Army, but rejected due to his profession. It would be more useful for South to remain an engineer than a soldier, but this draws the ire of Annabelle, her father, and her brother. Frustrated with his current situation, he suddenly finds himself in trouble when a Union Army spy steals his beloved locomotive to sabotage a Confederate supply line. When he finds Annabelle on the train, he musters up his courage and bravely chases after the thieves.most run time generally So they work on the train chase, and they showcase some of Keaton’s best work in his entire cinematic history.
How Much Risk Did Buster Keaton Take When Filming The General’s Stunt?
In the ensuing pursuit, Johnny Gray managed to escape several traps set by Union soldiers. In true Buster Keaton fashion, Gray fell when his cart slid off the tracks. In one of the most iconic action scenes in movie history, he dislodges a log stuck in the middle of a railroad track in time to save his train, one of which is freed by throwing another log over it. was removed, while the other was removed by him with his bare hands. He plays with cannons, firewood and all other objects on the train, to hilarious results.
In an age where computer-generated imagery didn’t exist and everything had to be physically done, Keaton risked everything to show audiences the thrills of real life. The $400,000 job bill slowly ballooned to nearly $1 million due to the cost of numerous stunts. That’s to account for multiple set changes, medical bills for on-set accidents, and the huge wages of the 3,000-plus production crew. This understandably angered the film’s producers, with some tabloids claiming that Keaton was unable to control the chaotic scenes. Despite countless ordeals, these conditions are still considered one of the greatest stunts in film history.
What happens during “The General’s Iconic Train Stunt”?
When Johnny Gray stumbles upon a Union Army camp, he discovers the route taken by enemy trains: the Rock River Bridge. After he rescues Annabelle, they steal back the General and warn the Confederates of their plans. They were pursued by two combined trains, including the USS Texas, setting the stage for an explosive scene. Johnny and Annabelle start setting fire to the bridge with their firewood and wait, in hilarious mishaps, for the arrival of Confederate reinforcements and Confederate trains. When the USS Texas finally passed, the bridge collapsed in fire and fell catastrophically into the river.
The effects of this stunt have been felt throughout the annals of cinema, some of which can still be felt in this day and age. The town of Cottage Grove, Oregon, where the stunt was staged, even declared a holiday so townspeople could witness the spectacle for themselves. This must have put enormous pressure on Keaton’s shoulders. Failing that, the production team doesn’t have the money or time to build a bridge, and dozens of onlookers will revel in the comedian’s already suppressed reputation. He did it with just one shot, and despite all the obstacles, he managed to create a stunt shot that has been around for years. Everyone knew Keaton was adventurous, but this proved he was just as adventurous.
Despite this euphoric opportunity, there were a lot of things that brought him back to reality. From a financial standpoint, it’s huge, even devastating, when you consider what happened next. The train stunt alone cost $42,000 at the time, or about $600,000 when adjusted for inflation. Currently, it remains the most expensive stunt in silent film history. From the name, it sounds fantastic. In fact, it was a blow that Keaton will always feel inside. generally It was a box office failure and failed to receive positive reviews from film critics. As a result, Nicholas Schenk sold the comedian to MGM, essentially killing his creative and financial freedom.While he would eventually revert to being an artist, it was a fiasco for a photo that ended up being the blueprint for a stunt job that would go on to influence the world from jackie chan To Tom Cruise.
How “The General’s Stunts” Continues to Influence Modern Films
Although it was not well received that day, generally is an excellent film that is finally being re-evaluated for its intrinsic worth. It was one of the first films to be preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and was highly praised by critics and filmmakers alike. orson welles Notably, the movie immortalized Buster Keaton as “the greatest clown in the history of cinema.” The train scene, and all its associated aspects, gives us a fascinating look at “Star Keaton” and “Filmmaker Keaton” and the almost inseparable relationship between the two. Using similar strokes, the fusion of these two different characters shapes a product that continues to stand the test of time. Like the remnants of the train wreck that still lingers in the Lo River today, the stunt is still etched in the minds of many. They said Buster Keaton was smiling in the air like a proud father enjoying his Paving the way for the next generation.
