AS WITH ANY Walt Disney Production, we boomers felt that we had an obligation to see it. Just the same responsibility was inherent in an picture that was previewed & promoted on ABC TV's DISNEYLAND Show as was attending Sunday Mass.
BUT THEN, ALTHOUGH we are having a little fun in reliving those days, it was in so many ways superior to these days of bizarre change and extreme uncertainty. Sure, we were just kids; but we knew that we were expected to behave and toe the line, or else. Walt Disney entertainments, be they animated, live action or the new area of Theme Parks all showed the way.
AS FOR THE story of THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE, Mr. Disney turned to American History and our Civil War/War Between the States or whatever name that you prefer. This incident really occurred. It was the story of a plan by raiders of the Union Army to destroy railroad lines and hence disrupt supply lines to the West of the Confederate States. The leader was one James Andrews; who was executed as a Spy by the Southern forces.
AS WE HINTED earlier, the story had been adapted to the Silver Screen once before; albeit in a far different genre and mood. It was "the Great Stone Face" of Silent Film iconic Comedian, Buster Keaton who wrote, produced and co-directed THE GENERAL (Buster Keaton Prod./Joseph Schenck Prod./United Artists 1927).
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE so many differences between the two (including 30 years of Hollywood), they are both worth watching and re-watching and comparing.
WHEREAS BUSTER KEATON chose to do the highly fictionalized story from the point of view of the Southern cause and the heroic actions of the railroad engineer who pursued the Yankee Train-nappers, the Disney production played it both close to Historical Fact and from the side of the Union loyalists.
ONE POINT THAT we must make for the Keaton version (outside of his dry, dead-pan humor) is the spectacular battle scenes that are committed to film and the outstanding use of the Steam Engines; including what was surely a very Expen$I've scene that sacrifices an iron horse attempting to cross a burning bridge, only to fall into the river below.
BUT WE DIGRESS, for our subject is the 1956 production. We do believe and heartily endorse this historical saga. We would all do well to view THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE again and to encourage the young school kids to do the same.
IT MAY WELL serve to whet their young appetites for American History; being a subject that is extremely under-taught these days. Isn't that right, Schultz?
BUT THEN, ALTHOUGH we are having a little fun in reliving those days, it was in so many ways superior to these days of bizarre change and extreme uncertainty. Sure, we were just kids; but we knew that we were expected to behave and toe the line, or else. Walt Disney entertainments, be they animated, live action or the new area of Theme Parks all showed the way.
AS FOR THE story of THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE, Mr. Disney turned to American History and our Civil War/War Between the States or whatever name that you prefer. This incident really occurred. It was the story of a plan by raiders of the Union Army to destroy railroad lines and hence disrupt supply lines to the West of the Confederate States. The leader was one James Andrews; who was executed as a Spy by the Southern forces.
AS WE HINTED earlier, the story had been adapted to the Silver Screen once before; albeit in a far different genre and mood. It was "the Great Stone Face" of Silent Film iconic Comedian, Buster Keaton who wrote, produced and co-directed THE GENERAL (Buster Keaton Prod./Joseph Schenck Prod./United Artists 1927).
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE so many differences between the two (including 30 years of Hollywood), they are both worth watching and re-watching and comparing.
WHEREAS BUSTER KEATON chose to do the highly fictionalized story from the point of view of the Southern cause and the heroic actions of the railroad engineer who pursued the Yankee Train-nappers, the Disney production played it both close to Historical Fact and from the side of the Union loyalists.
ONE POINT THAT we must make for the Keaton version (outside of his dry, dead-pan humor) is the spectacular battle scenes that are committed to film and the outstanding use of the Steam Engines; including what was surely a very Expen$I've scene that sacrifices an iron horse attempting to cross a burning bridge, only to fall into the river below.
BUT WE DIGRESS, for our subject is the 1956 production. We do believe and heartily endorse this historical saga. We would all do well to view THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE again and to encourage the young school kids to do the same.
IT MAY WELL serve to whet their young appetites for American History; being a subject that is extremely under-taught these days. Isn't that right, Schultz?