The dynamism of Buster Keaton’s silent-film comedy arises from the coordination of physical movement with the spatial and temporal manipulation of editing. The plot of The General (Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, 1926) is set in motion when Union soldiers steal Keaton’s character’s steam engine, the General.
Discussion Questions
After watching this clip from The General, consider the questions below. Then submit your response.
1. Count and then time the shots in the sequence. How does the rhythm of the editing in the sequence contribute to the film’s mood or meaning?
2. How is the gag set up by editing?