During a university film class a few years ago, I watched Buster Keaton’s ‘The General’ that was inspired by the same event that this next film is based on. While Keaton’s film was a comedy, Walt Disney’s version is dramatic, intense, and moving. For this project, I’m focusing on the story itself, including dialogue, character development, any subplots, how a story presents itself, the speed at which it moves, if it slows down unnecessarily, etc.
Update: In February 2022, I started a video version of the DFP on Tiktok. You can find the video below. Thoughts expressed in the video may be different than what are expressed in the blog post, due to the time difference in posting.
A Brief Summary
In the midst of the Civil War, Union spies (also called Andrews Raiders) steal a train in order to destroy the railroad from Atlanta, Georgia to Chattanooga, Tennessee and possibly bring an early end to the war. Unfortunately, the stolen train’s persistent conductor is following close behind with a growing group of Confederate soldiers. Includes a fried chicken dinner, lots of men from Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and a priest.
What works
- So the film starts off, not at the beginning of the chase, but after its over. In fact, the majority of the film is told through flashbacks and narrative voice-overs by William Pittenger (one of the Union spies). It works because it helps ease the audience into what is to come, rather than just play out the events as they happen. Of course, it sets a bittersweet tone to the film as it mentions the loss of several of the group and of the leader, Andrews.
- One fun thing that I liked was that at the beginning of the film, the men are presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor (the first time such an honor has been bestowed) and in flashback, Pittenger points out in a newspaper about a new award being created, the Congressional Medal of Honor. One of his companions says that that type of award isn’t for them. (I just love a good use of foreshadowing…or reverse-shadowing since we already know it happens?)
- Story-wise, Pittenger makes a much better narrator than Professor Arronax in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. While Arronax was a bit slow in a few of his voice-overs, there was a lesser sense of urgency than in this film. Because the main action for this story involves a chase, Pittenger’s voice-overs were much more straight-forward, with a lot of telling action happening on the screen during the different narrations.
- Something that worked very well was the official meeting of Union group leader, James Andrews, and The General‘s conductor William Fuller. At this point, Andrews is fully in his spy mode, impersonating a government official, or at least carrying a forged letter from Brigadier General Beauregard himself. Fuller is suspicious of the large group of men aboard the train (as he should be, they’re all Union spies), and he starts a conversation with Andrews since he picked up that Andrews was with the group. Their conversation actually feels one-sided a bit, not in a bad way, but in a sad way. Andrews, because he’s fulfilling a job, is lying through his teeth and Fuller is open and honest. There was this really telling moment when Fuller mentions his desire to serve for Beauregard and Andrews tells him that he already is, emphasizing how important that specific railroad is to the Confederacy (and the reason he has to destroy it). Fuller’s look of encouragement at Andrews’ words is only more heartbreaking to the audience when combined with later scenes where Andrews and Fuller meet once again.
What may or may not work
- I would say the ending was hit-or-miss. When I say hit-or-miss, I mean as far as audience reactions go. Its bittersweet finale was moving, with Andrews and Fuller coming together once final time, prior to returning to the meeting at the beginning of the movie. But men died, men who have been part of the focus for the film, that viewers have come to recognize and even appreciate. I did enjoy the ending, especially the Andrews/Fuller scene, but it might not satisfy other viewers.
Honorable Mentions
- Six songs are sung throughout the film, my favorites include: “Dixie”, “I Stole a Locomotive to Take a Ride ’cause my Daddy was a Railroading Man”, and “Roll Jordan Roll, I want to go to Heaven when I die”
- Every time Fuller comes across someone during the chase, he always talks about “the Yanks that stole my train!” I mean, obviously he would have to, but I just feel bad for the guy because that was his train, his responsibility and now his problem that he has to fix.
Side Questions
- Pittenger, Andrews, and three other raiders spend a rainy night at an inn with several proud Confederates. At least the innkeeper knew who Andrews was (but didn’t know he was a Union man), but I would love to know what their reactions would be on finding out the results of the train chase and Andrews’ death.
What I learned from watching this film
- Andrews and Fuller were the two most prominent characters in this film and I can’t side against either of them. Normally when I watch a chase film, my emotions and reactions are tied to one particular group (usually the good guys) and I want them to make it through and succeed. Here, however, I can’t do that. Andrews was doing what he had to do to help the Union’s efforts. Fuller was trying to do his job and putting 1000% (I’m pretty certain) into his pursuit. I just can’t pin black or white on either man. Rather than a cartoonish effort to portray one side or the other, there is a level of realism that provides depth and strength to both characters, and making the film that much more intense all-around.
If you’ve seen The Great Locomotive Chase, what are some of your thoughts? Share in the comments below!
Rewind to the beginning of the Disney Film Project
Skip back to the previous film with The Littlest Outlaw
Fast Forward to the next film with Davy Crockett and the River Pirates
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