The General (1926)
with the original 1926 orchestral score performed live by the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra
Experience one of cinema’s greatest achievements as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen, with its original score performed live. Buster Keaton’s The General is a thrilling blend of romance, comedy, and high-stakes adventure, as Keaton races to rescue both his beloved locomotive and the woman he loves from enemy spies.
Celebrated by legends and institutions including Orson Welles, Roger Ebert, and the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films ever made, this silent-era masterpiece returns to life with the 12-piece Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra performing the original 1926 score, compiled by James C. Bradford.
Using period instruments, the original 1926 cue sheet, and historic orchestral scores, the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra delivers a perfectly synchronized performance that heightens every daring stunt and comedic moment. The result is more than a screening—it’s a time-traveling theatrical event that captures the energy, artistry, and wonder of early cinema at its peak.