One of my new favourites as soon as I saw this. It is rare that I can sit at home with a laptop, and still laugh out loud watching a film. Keaton's acrobatic stunts are breathtaking and beautifully timed. I was wishing I had a working knowledge of steam engines, but it seemed that the actions are based on the way a train really worked, not on contrivances to further the plot or create a gag.
I know some people object to the film because Keaton's character is on the side of the Confederate army. This is a technicality; Keaton is not taking sides. The Union soldiers in the film are never shown as villains or buffoons. In fact, the movie works all the better because his adversaries are intelligent, competent men. The film would work equally well whichever side Keaton took, however the real-life incident which inspired the film involved Union soldiers stealing a Confederate train, so that is the plot. As there would have been survivors on both sides alive in the theatres when this film was made, a degree of neutrality would have been expected.
I recommend leaving the history aside, seeing the armies as representing "Side X" and "Side Y", and just enjoy watching Buster Keaton perform at the height of his art.
I know some people object to the film because Keaton's character is on the side of the Confederate army. This is a technicality; Keaton is not taking sides. The Union soldiers in the film are never shown as villains or buffoons. In fact, the movie works all the better because his adversaries are intelligent, competent men. The film would work equally well whichever side Keaton took, however the real-life incident which inspired the film involved Union soldiers stealing a Confederate train, so that is the plot. As there would have been survivors on both sides alive in the theatres when this film was made, a degree of neutrality would have been expected.
I recommend leaving the history aside, seeing the armies as representing "Side X" and "Side Y", and just enjoy watching Buster Keaton perform at the height of his art.