I am no expert on silent films, I've seen maybe 5 my whole life, but I want to better myself as a person... I want to expand my horizons... I don't want to shelter myself from new (old) things. So I decided to take a stab at two silent film heroes. Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. One of the five silent films I've actually watched was Chaplin's Modern Times, which I liked a lot, you can read about if you want... RIGHT HERE. I had heard Keaton is also awesome, if not better, so I'm going to compare the two and let you know where to start... or if you've been there and done that... you'll be able to sit back and feel accomplished.
(1926)
Directors: Clyde Bruckman, Buster Keaton
Synopsis: A train conductor during the civil war goes behind enemy lines to try and save his love interest after she's stolen by The North.
I was extremely impressed with this film. For a movie from 1926 it holds up and was surprisingly entertaining. Its most obvious strength is its action set pieces. Some of the stunts and ideas Keaton unleashes in The General are incredible for the time they were conceived and you can obviously tell this title had a huge impact on other movies that followed. I don't know why, but I expected Keaton to be very goofy, but he plays it more serious than Chaplin, still you'll get those little funny flourishes throughout the movie, which lightens it up. The General would be a perfect movie for someone looking to start with silent films, it's easy, fun and keeps you at bay throughout its run time... which is short.
(1931)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Synopsis: The Tramp stumbles through a series of ups and downs while trying to win the love of a blind flower girl.
I liked The General more than this, but I still think City Lights is a fine movie. It dragged a little at times and I didn't feel as engaged as I did during The General. Like Modern Times (which I also enjoyed more than City Lights) you get tons of funny moments and you can see why Chaplin was considered the innovator that he is. One thing I think he mastered is how to convey a story in an entertaining way, without sound. It's really fascinating seeing what he did when you think about working with that limitation. At the end of the day, I'd recommend this, but I think Modern Times would be the title to start with first.
