The General

1926·Movie
1h 19min·NR
IMDb8.1Rotten Tomatoes92%92%

Where to watch

PrimeJustWatch TVfuboTVMGM+Philo

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The General fingerprint

High energy, striking style.

Energy

Fast-paced and spectacular

Fast from start to finish.

  • Fast Pace8
  • Spectacle8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Nostalgic and moving

  • Nostalgia8
  • Pathos7
  • Hopefulness7

Humor

Plenty of slapstick and satire

  • Physical Comedy8
  • Satire & Parody5
  • Wit & Wordplay4

World

History and war

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion9
  • Rewatchability7
  • Novelty6

Craft

Standout direction and performances

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Intrigue7

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Find more like it

Nostalgic movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Buster drives "The General" to trainload of laughter.

During America’s Civil War, Union spies steal engineer Johnny Gray's beloved locomotive, 'The General'—with Johnnie's lady love aboard an attached boxcar—and he single-handedly must do all in his power to both get The General back and to rescue Annabelle.
Silent FilmCivil War EraPhysical ComedyAction AdventureHistorical SettingRomanceSpectacular VisualsIconic Filmmaking

Crew

Directed by:
Buster Keaton, Edward Hearn, Clyde Bruckman
Written by:
Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, Al Boasberg
Produced by:
Buster Keaton, Joseph M. Schenck, Harry Brand

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Loading video…

Questions about The General

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The General legally?

PrimeJustWatch TVfuboTVMGM+PhiloThe RokuKanopyHoopla

The General is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Philo, and MGM+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV, Kanopy, and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The General worth watching?

88
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 88/100 (IMDb 8.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 92%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The General rated?

NRViolence

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is The General?

1 h 19 min

The General runs 1 h 19 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The General?

Critics92
Audiences87

Yes. Critics average 92 and audiences 87 out of 100, so both groups see The General much the same way.

Was The General a box office hit?

Budget$750,000
Box office$1 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $750,000 to make and earned $1 million worldwide, 1.3 times its budget.

What language is The General in?

Englishxx

It was made in English, with some xx. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The General?

139ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBFBG+125

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The General in 139 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The General use?

Black ComedySure, Let's Go with ThatCut Phone LinesPoor Communication KillsMeaningful NameCloud Cuckoo LanderSarcasm-BlindHeroic BSoDCrouching Moron, Hidden BadassExact WordsEarn Your Happy EndingButt-Monkeyand 36 more

TV Tropes lists 48 storytelling tropes for The General, including Black Comedy, Sure, Let's Go with That, Cut Phone Lines.

HomeDiscoverMoviesShows