8mm Forum: The General....sound vs silent version

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Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on November 29, 2017, 06:48 PM:

I have both Blackhawk versions of this film and I have the silent version on a full 1600' reel/spool. I bought the sound version some time ago and it was in the OB. Although the prefix numbers on the box were 860 which indicates silent. So I was going to put the sound version on the 1600' and put the silent version in its original box. Anyway the sound version was only 3 reels. After watching the sound version I watched the silent version and was surprised that the sound version was edited so much (about 20-25 mins), losing most of the gags. The sound version had some moments but was a much more straight forward war story than comedy. The silent version, according to the opening info on screen was noted as being as it originally appeared on screen back in the late 20's.

The sound version was more consistent throughout as far as contrast and the silent version was a mixture of light/dark picture quality. Also the sound version had annoying dialog from Paul Killian (I think that is his name) like the Columbia stuff. It would work as commentary but doesn't fit trying to watch as the story unfolds.

I did put the sound version on a 1200' but I left the silent version all together because I like it better.

Is there a sound version of this film that is not an edited version and has no commentary track?

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Joseph Randall (Member # 4906) on December 01, 2017, 07:19 PM:

For some reason Blackhawk never released a scored version of this film. Niles was silent I think as well.

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on December 02, 2017, 02:56 AM:

The Killiam shows,one of the earliest tv series dedicated to the silent film, used condenced versions of the features shown,I guess to fit the tv programming standards!

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on December 02, 2017, 08:34 AM:

Thanks guys... I spoke to a friend who also said it was likely a TV edit. It's to bad they didn't make an unedited sound version for 8mm. That's what I thought I was getting with the sound version. I can put both versions in one can and I can consider the sound version a special feature with commentary.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on December 02, 2017, 10:33 AM:

Slightly abridged, culled from "Hour of Silents - If you have the chance to catch "Movie Museum", you will see and hear Killiam 5-minute cuts that are very interesting - Keaton's GENERAL is complete in silent form, but I prefer the scored edition on this or any other - Carter or Perry were outstanding composers - Shorty

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