May 7, 2024 • 47 mins
One of the highest regarded silent films, The General appears as #18 on AFI’s most recent list of the greatest American films of all time. Yet, the film flopped in its initial release, fell into the public domain in 1954 when the studio didn’t even bother to renew the copyright, and didn’t appear anywhere on AFI’s original list.
Why was this seminal comedy neglected so long, only to end up canonized as one of the greatest films ever? And is it being forgotten all over again?
The General’s action sequences inspired scores of modern action masters including Jackie Chan, Tom Cruise and George Miller, but is its own extended chase scene still inspiring? And how about its apolitical treatment of the Civil War – is that a non-starter in today’s politically polarized world?
Find out what our panel of young film-lovers think after seeing The General for the very first time, on Film Generations.
An ElectraCast Production.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_General_(1926_film)
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017925/
On Roger Ebert’s Top Ten Greatest Films Ever list.
Sight & Sound 10th Best Film of All Time (1982 survey).
American Film Institute 18th Best American Film of All Time (2nd best silent film).
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