20s Film
Flesh and the Devil (1926) IMDb
Directed by: Clarence Brown
(John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, Lars Hanson, Marc McDermott, Barbara Kent)
A story about very little other than love, passion and friendship. Its portrayal is considered all the more effective due to the real life love affair between its two main stars at the time; however, what's really noteworthy is the film's cinematography, particularly the scene with Gilbert and Garbo walking through the snow. A lovely introduction to silent film.
The General (1927) IMDb
Directed by: Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman
(Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender)
Keaton at his finest. Plenty of the renowned stunts, carried out with the acrobatic agility of a circus performer, his confidence in his every move ensures the action and gags match the pace of the locomotive of the title. The scene where he is astride the front of the engine, hurling railway sleepers with such last minute accuracy is particularly impressive.
Buster Keaton was very good at not over-emphasising his gags; once the point was made, subtle or slapstick, he would move on. You are still smiling from the previous gag when the next one comes up, and that's why he was a master of his art.
