Analysing the key sequences of The General.
0:00-1:05 – Backstory and introduction. Text.
1:11-1:20 - An establishing wide shot of the train and location. We are introduced to Buster Keaton with a medium close up shot and then the camera pans along the train to introduce The General the train as it is the second most important character in the film.
1:20-1:30 – wide shot establishes location and the time in which the film was set e.g. Horse and cart shows the time. The General then swipes left to right through the scene destructing the shot (connotes to how the train is always a disruption.) but also connotes how the movement in technology is happening as the horse and cart is in the foreground, presenting the past and then in the background is the train which is connoting the future.
1:38-1:50 – Further develops Keatings characters as he has an encounter with two young boys.
2:03 – Introduced to the two loves of his life “his engine and Annabel” shown with a close up to a frame of her.
2:03-4:03 – Introduced to his love of his life Annabel, goes into her house. Shots are mainly medium static long shots.
4:05-5:00 – Romantic affair between Jonny and Annabel is interrupted by her father and brother opening the two doors simultaneously which shocks bother characters. Has a feel of comedy to it and very similar to much of his early short reel’s work.
5:00-5:20 – Dialogue between Annabel’s father and her brother helps to give context and progress the narrative and lets the shot to lead on nicely to the recruiting office.
5:20-6:00 – After Annabel’s brother and father leave, she feels like Johnny should enlist by saying “aren’t you going to enlist?” Johnny feels in order to impress her/”be a man” he should enlist.
6:00-8:30 – Johnny enlists at recruiting office. He adds his own comedic twist by running cluelessly to be the first to recruit. He then is denied his enlist due to his occupation. He then tries again another time by wearing a different hat (disciused) he is then denied again. He then try’s to take another person’s application. Application fails and he feels as if he has let down Annabel.
9:18 – Annabel’s father and brother tell him to come into line with them but he denies – creates a miscommunication later on as they think he doesn’t try and applies. Destroys Annabel’s and Johnny relationship.
10:58 – Annabel says to Johnny “don’t speak to me until you are wearing that uniform”
11:35 – Flash forward a year later with more dialogue explaining recent events. Planning to steal the general.
14:08 – People are offloaded from the general including Annabel.
14:23 – the enemy are walking around the train and then they steal the train and kidnap Annabel.
15:24 – Johnny alters everyone that the train has been stolen. He starts chasing the train as the rest stop and stand and watch as they almost feel as if it is impossible to get the train back.
16:00 – Enemy’s cut down the communication line.
16:14 – Johnny realised that he is alone chasing the train and at this moment we and him know he can be the hero of the film. But also shows a problem that needs to be resolved.
16:30-18:27 – continues trying to chase the general but each time it fails. He ends up in the next army camp and alters them that the enemy has stolen his train.
18:29 – loads up the new train with men but again another Keating comedy moments results in the train detaching from the caradgfe.
19:04 – Continuity editing shows the enemy train and what they are doing. At this point he also picks up a cannon to tow along from his train.
19:34 – The general is loading up with more wood they see the Texas and Johnny chasing them. This is when the chase begins as the thing there is a train filled with army behind chasing them.
20:00 – More comedy moments from Keating as he tries to fire the cannon at the general.
25:05 – The general and enemy start offloading cargo to slow him down.
26:01 – 26:21 – Iconic sequence of Johnny taking a dislodge railroad and then does a stunt of him sitting on the front of the train.
32:12 – Enemy drop wood onto Johnny from the bridge. They also realise that there is only one man on the train, it is the vital point where they realise they can attack him and win.
32:52 – Johnny jumps off the train after bringing it to a halt after he realised, he has no chance against the enemy.
33:30-38:14 – Becomes night, Johnny sneaks into the enemy house where Annabel is. While at the dining table he takes some food then quickly hides beneath the table. While he is hiding under the table, they are discussing new battle plans and there are numerous times when he is almost caught. Annabel enters the room, and the general explains who she is to his captain. Johnny the looks through a small hole in the tablecloth and sees Anabel. She is then given a room and locked in there, from johnny’s facial expressions we can foreshadow that he is planning in his head to save her.
38:14 – Johnny knocks out a guard in a comedic way.
38:43-39:53 – Johnny sneaks into Annabel’s room and rescues her, they then sneak out the window together and run for the bushes.
41:52 – Johnny and Annabel both agree to hide out for the night and wait for morning to make for further moves. Annabel also expresses her feeling and how she thinks he is so brave to go and save her.
42:42-44:16 – Morning has come, and Johnny goes to look around to only find the General. He is reunited with the two loves of his life as we were shown in the opening sequence.
44:16-46:11 – Annabel is hidden into a cargo bag. Johnny stands next to the carriage and distracts the captain as Annabel detactces the hook to the carriage so once they steal the General back there will only be one carriage. Annabel is then loaded onto the train with the rest of the cargo.
46:41 – Johnny steals back the general.
48:46 – Chase begins.
49:11 – Johnny releases Annabel from the carriage cargo
53:26 – Johnny offloads cargo onto the railroad to an attempt to slow the chasing trains.
58:07 – Johnny dislodges the train turner this is a massive turning point as it drastically slows the enemy.
1:00:00 – They come to the bridge and Johnny sets it alight in order to destroy the pathway for the enemy. They then enter back to home territory and warn them of the plans that are coming. They get their army together and get ready for war.
1:06:07 – Annabel is reunited with her father and Johnny takes no credit but instead picks up a gun and goes and joins his men.
1:07:52 – The enemy see the burning bridge and realise they cannot cross safely. However, orders force them to cross resulting in the most expensive shot in film history at that time. The bridge collapses and the train falls into the water below.
1:09:00-1:13:27 – War kicks off and there is a long fight scene and again Johnny saves the day leading them to victory.
1:13:52 – They return to the town and Johnny takes a seat while the rest of the army are praised for the work and johnny is very humble. (Reflective of Keatings personality as he puts his name at the bottom when the cast are shown at the end but also when he signed for MGM and was being paid 3k a week to suddenly less than $100 and he replied “Once I am worth more to the company they will pay me more”)
1:15:57 – 1:17:37 – Johnny meets the two captains and he his then given a new uniform and an enlisting to the army because of his brave hard work.
1:18:22 – Now Annabel is please as she finally sees him in his uniform, she is happy then again they finally have their first romantic moment I the film it is very “and they lived happily ever after”
1:18:44: The End.
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