how this movie could have be leave out of the top 100 flick of all time i will never know . i remember keaton a a grumpy old man in the cinema of the 50 and 60 . it be only later when in college film school that i recogized his true genius . the general be one of the first silent movie that i be ever able to sit though long enough to fully appreciate the medium . it have everything and drama and comedy and action and romance . it be also pretty much true to the real event also . my favorite part be when keaton have rescue the train and his girlfriend and they be escape the federal troop in full pursuit . his girlfriend have run out of wood to stoke the engine hand him a twig . keaton look at the twig and think about hit the girlfriend but instead hug and kiss her . the other thing that i love about the movie be that there be not one second of waste film and every scene have definite purpose and it hold your attention every minute . this be keaton masterpiece always .