The General (1926) - Train Wreck

Elaborate stunts involving automobiles – particularly locomotives – is a signature element of Keaton’s slapstick comedy. Keaton’s creative genius was at its peak when he made the locomotive comedy, The General. In this epic silent comedy, there are many dangerous yet amusing stunts involving locomotives. The crowning moment was when a 26-ton locomotive moves over a burning bridge and then plunges into the river below. Keaton did it for real without any trick shots. He even built a bridge for this purpose. ()