Disc 1. The General (1926) / written and directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman ; adapted by Al Boasberg and Charles Smith ; produced by Joseph M. Schenck ; photographed by Bert Haines and Devereaux Jennings (79 min.). Return of The General (1962) / Blackhawk Films (11 min. color) -- disc 2. Three Ages (1923) / diected by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline ; produced by Joseph M. Schenck ; screenplay by Clyde Bruckman, Joseph Mitchell, and Jean Havez ; photographed by Elgin Lessley and William McGann. (64 min.). Man's genesis (1912) / D.W. Griffith (9 min. excerpt).
Summary:
"Buster Keaton's THE GENERAL is not simply one of the greatest silent comedies ever made, it is one of the greatest films of any era. In restaging the true story of one man s journey behind enemy lines to reclaim his captured locomotive during the Civil War, Keaton stages a series of complex chases, using lumbering trains as comedic props. Keaton s inventive mind is matched only by his physical athleticism, making THE GENERAL a truly breath-taking experience. Keaton's first foray into making feature films, THREE AGES is a parody of D.W. Griffith s Intolerance, dramatizing man s quest for love in three parallel settings a modern city, the Stone Age, and ancient Rome and loading each plotline with amazing stunts and hysterical sight gags."-- Container.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.