The General
If you lose the war, don’t blame me. – Johnnie Gray
Think about the circumstances of you call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. – 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
What does it take to be a hero? It’s a title that gets thrown around a lot both in film and in everyday life. And part of its overuse means that we have lost a lot of its meaning. In film we often refer to the main character of the story as “the hero” whether they have admirable qualities or not. In life we are quick to equate the term with athletes, actors, social media influencers, politicians, and really anyone that has any modicum of fame. But what makes someone truly a “hero”? Just a quick Internet search tells me that the definition of a hero is an elusive one for us. After a quick classification of the term hero, Merriam-Webster states, “Opinions on what makes a true modern hero vary widely among people.” When definitions are based on opinions we are left with not only ambiguity, but unfortunate opportunities of misapplying important ideas. Anything goes, meaning anyone and anything can be a hero, no matter their actions or qualities.
But we know deep down that heroism isn’t just a participation trophy. And we know that many famous people and famous characters in stories are not “heroes” just because they are well-known. We recognize that heroism comes through bravery, self-sacrifice, and protecting others. We have countless examples throughout human history and movies that prove we deeply understand these ideas. But what we often forget is that each and every one of us has what it takes to be a hero. We understand heroism because we desire to be the heroes ourselves, but often feel like we don’t have what it takes, or don’t have the opportunity. I’m here to tell you that you can, even if you are not saving the day from invading army.
Heroism is baked into storytelling, and storytelling through film is no different. The General was the blockbuster of its time over 100 years ago along with one of its greatest stars, Buster Keaton. I often say that there are two types of people in this world: Charlie Chaplin people and Buster Keaton people. (If you are ignorant of these film titans then I suggest you watch a Chaplin film like City Light or Modern Times to get you sufficiently educated along with this current film.) While I admire the talents of both, I am unabashedly a Buster Keaton person. Chaplin was a classic silent film actor, wearing his emotions on his sleeve with bombastic body movements and facial expressions. Buster Keaton was every bit and more of the stunt performer but was much more restrained and subtle in his acting. If a modern comparison helps, Chaplin is Jim Carrey. Keaton is Tom Cruise.
Buster Keaton’s most ambitious movie tells the story of Johnnie Grey, a diminutive train operator who desperately wants to impress his crush when suddenly news of an attack on Fort Sumter sparks the beginning of the American Civil War. Everyone is enlisting, and Johnnie is first in line. The powers that be want Johnnie to remain in his position as train operator and mechanic because they think he is much more valuable in that role than as a common soldier. His rejection is swift and the rumors spread that Johnnie is dodging the war, that he is a coward for not enlisting. A year goes by as the fight rages on, with Johnnie on the sidelines, no one believing that he can be the hero.
Johnnie seems like an unlikely hero. He’s not big or strong. He makes mistakes which is central to the comedic genius of the film. But when the enemy commandeers his train in an effort to both steal equipment and destroy key supply routes, Johnnie does not hesitate to jump into action. Even though he does not need further motivation, his crush finds herself aboard the stolen train and taken hostage. While he seeks another train and armed help to assist in his chase, a lack of attention to detail finds Johnnie chasing after the armed captors all by himself.
This is where most heroism is exemplified. Are we willing to stand for what is right even though its difficult? Are we willing to stand alone? Even more are we willing to stand for what is right when we feel like no one is watching? When no one would be the wiser?
God outlines what true heroism looks like in Matthew 16:24-25. Jesus tells us to “deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” When you actively put others before yourself, when you deny your lust, pride, and selfishness, when you completely surrender to God’s will for your life, you become the hero. The Christian life is nothing less than the training ground, occasion, and culmination for a hero. If you were told anything else, then you have been sold short.
Johnnie Gray has the opportunity to run down the enemy in what I still think are the greatest train scenes in cinema history. Just remember that Buster Keaton is doing these stunts without CGI and definitely without OSHA approval. It’s not always a smooth process, but he proves something that we all want to be true: the fortitude of one man can change the tide.
I want you to be able to have that same confidence in your own life. The apostle Paul calls us to “be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:56). A life fully pursuing Christ is not in vain. When it feels like everyone is against you, it’s not in vain (2 Timothy 4:16-17). When it feels like your spiritual growth is arduous or stagnant, it’s not in vain (Hebrews 12:1). When you feel trapped in the same situation, when you are called to be kind to the same annoying person, when you are called to discipline your kids consistently, when you are called to keep investing into the lives of others that seem to not care at all, it’s not in vain (Galatians 6:9). Paul claims that our life in Christ is not in vain because of the ultimate heroic effort displayed by Christ through his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:26-27).[1] If Christ proved victorious over sin and death, then we have every indication and every confidence that not only can we be victorious, but that every simple act of heroism is not wasted.
I admit that it’s mentally difficult at times to envision my life as heroic. Today I did yardwork, wrote this paper, exercised, and recorded a podcast episode. These things would hardly be described as heroic. But they are no less heroic because they are “ordinary.” They are heroic because I can do them not only for the sake of others, but in full obedience to God with the expectation that he can use my simple faithfulness for great things. The enemy wants to discourage us from doing the simple, faithful things because he knows they are not only the training ground for great things, but that there are heroic in the hands of a good God. But the enemy knows that he is playing a losing game.
This brings me to one of my favorite scenes in all of cinema. After Johnnie is able to reclaim “The General” and begins the counter chase back home, he attempts to start a fire on a bridge so that his pursuers cannot follow. When the commander meets up with the train, he confidently tells them that the bridge is still fully functional and sends them across. The bridge folds and the train crashes into the ravine, a stunt that cost $1 million dollars in 1926.[2] While that crash is something to behold, the following scene is what always strikes me. The commander that just sent the train to its destruction doesn’t muster any great emotional outburst. There is no crying, no yelling, or wincing. There is just the smallest sign of despair. We can almost see the gears turning as he comes to grip with what he just did. All he can do is command the army to continue forward in the chase.
All the enemy can do is continue in the chase. He has no real power over you. He’s already been defeated. His best technique is to continue to throw lies in your direction to see what sticks. One of the biggest lies is that you can’t be a hero. The God of the universe, the God of our salvation, the God who heroically died in our place and rose again says otherwise. You don’t need credentials to be a hero. All you need is the courage to stop trusting in yourself and put your faith in Christ. “He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:14-15). Being a hero means denying yourself and doing what you were created to do. That all starts with realizing who Jesus is. I dare you to take a look for yourself and see if the call of the hero doesn’t ring true in the pages of the Gospels.
Should I Watch This Movie? - This is one of the greatest movies ever made. Go watch this movie, and if for some reason you don’t like it, then watch it again, because there’s something wrong with you.
Should This Movie be in the Top 250? – It should even be higher than it is right now. It actively annoys me that people don’t realize the cinematic genius of this film.
[1] Many stories can’t help but use this as a template. They are even called “Christ-figures.” Chances are you will see them in movies on this page.
[2] If you are wondering, that equates to about $19 million today. All for a scene that lasts less than 10 seconds.