In the movie The General Johnnie Gray, a simple engineer, tries to win the heart of his girlfriend by enlisting in the army. Although he is refused, he eventually takes on a group of Northern soldiers who hijack his train. Not only does he rescue his beloved Anabelle (and General), but he also helps defeat a Northern army in battle. Yet, his methods are hardly standard derring-do. Is Johnnie just lucky or a true hero? Does this film endorse standard ideas of military heroism or make fun of them? Or does this movie redefine a hero? What does this movie tell us about heroism (or related concepts of machismo, chivalry, or militarism)?
In the 1927 Buster Keaton film, The General, the protagonist, Johnnie Gray, is indeed a hero because of his perseverance and ambition. Throughout the films, there are occasions where everyone else gave up and Johnnie kept trying. An example of this is at the beginning of the movie where his general is stolen. People run after it and quickly give up, but Johnnie continues to run after the train and even gets on a hand car to kick off his journey into Northern territory. Even though there is also a large factor of luck involved in his accomplishments, like destroying the dam, killing a sniper by accident with a broken sword, or firing a mortar shot at an enemy train right around a bend, there was still intention behind his actions, though they may have gone wrong along the way. Despite his luck, this intention get retrieve the love of his life depicts Johnnie as a hero. This film uses the character of Johnnie to redefine a hero, not as a tall, strong man that can fight for his country in war, but a person with extraordinary resilience and a desire to complete a goal. In Johnnie’s case, he wishes to get his girlfriend back, demonstrating his bravery and being rewarded for his accomplishments along the way. Furthermore, all his great war-time feats are done in a comedic way, indirectly making fun of war through ridiculous circumstance. Examples of this are when he hides under a table surrounded by educated war generals, or when a general makes the order to send a locomotive across a burning bridge, resulting in an extravagant debacle.
ReplyDeleteDespite Johnnie Gray turning out to be a hero at the end of the film The General, I do not believe his actions are acts of heroism. He has good intent throughout the film. But, all of his heroic actions only happen by chance. Yes, he had positive intentions to defeat the opposing side. But, freak accidents don’t make someone a hero. I think that he should be acknowledged for his actions but not deemed a true hero. For example, when he killed the sniper from the other side, it was only successful due to a malfunction with his sword. He would only be considered a hero here due to chance. If anyone in the film should be considered a hero it should be Marion. Marion made logical decisions that helped survive and defeat the other side. An example of this is when she tied the rope between the trees. This ended up holding back the other train for a good amount of time. She was successful because of her thoughtful actions. While Johnnie’s main reason for success was by coincidence. In order to consider Johnnie a hero you also have to consider Marion. This leads to the concept of machismo. This film is a clear example of machismo because Marion never got the credit she deserved. At the end of the film when Johnnie was promoted to a General, Marion was once again the damsel in distress-like character waiting for Johnnie. This display of machismo is unfortunate considering how much Marion helped Johnnie get to this opportunity.
ReplyDelete"The General" is a silent film that was released in 1926, and it presents a unique take on heroism and military heroism. The film's protagonist, Johnnie Gray, is portrayed as a simple engineer who is eager to prove his worth and win the heart of his girlfriend, Anabelle. Despite being rejected by the army, Johnnie eventually finds himself in a position to save his girlfriend and the Confederate army, and he rises to the occasion, using his wit, determination, and technical know-how to achieve his goals.
ReplyDeleteThe film does not depict Johnnie as a traditional military hero. He is not depicted as brave, heroic, or dashing, but rather as a resourceful and cunning individual who uses his skills and his knowledge of trains to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Johnnie is not a typical hero in the traditional sense, but he is a hero in his own right. He is a hero who, through his determination and resourcefulness, is able to achieve great things, even in the face of adversity.
It is also worth noting that "The General" subverts many of the standard ideas of military heroism and chivalry. The film is set during the American Civil War, a period in history that is often associated with bravery, heroism, and military prowess. However, the film takes a more humorous and lighthearted approach to the subject, poking fun at the grandiose ideas of heroism and chivalry that were prevalent at the time. Johnnie's actions are not depicted as brave or heroic, but rather as absurd and comical, and his attempts to save his girlfriend and the Confederate army are portrayed as bumbling and hapless.
In this sense, "The General" can be seen as a commentary on the idea of heroism and military heroism. The film challenges the notion that heroism is solely a matter of bravery and physical prowess, and instead suggests that heroism can also be found in determination, resourcefulness, and cleverness. The film is not making fun of heroism, but rather challenging traditional ideas of what it means to be a hero and redefining the concept in a more modern and inclusive way.
Finally, "The General" can also be seen as a commentary on militarism and the romanticization of war. The film is set during the American Civil War, a time of great political and military upheaval, and it portrays the war in a lighthearted and humorous way. The film does not take a stance on the morality of the war, but it does question the notion that war is an inherently heroic endeavor. Johnnie's actions are not depicted as heroic because he is fighting in a war, but rather because he is determined to save his girlfriend and protect the Confederate army.
In conclusion, "The General" is a film that challenges traditional ideas of heroism and military heroism. The film depicts its protagonist, Johnnie Gray, as a simple, bumbling engineer who rises to the occasion through his determination, resourcefulness, and cleverness. The film takes a humorous and lighthearted approach to the subject of heroism and military heroism, subverting traditional ideas and redefining the concept in a more modern and inclusive way. Through its portrayal of Johnnie and its commentary on militarism and the romanticization of war, the film suggests that heroism is not solely a matter of bravery and physical prowess, but rather a matter of determination, resourcefulness, and cleverness.