Kino Video is set to release Buster Keaton's silent-cinema masterpiece '
The General' on Blu-ray on November 10, making it the first silent feature film on BD in America (although the absolute record is for the UK release of '
Sunrise', which comes out September 21). This release has been mastered from a 35mm archive print struck from the original camera negative.
On the audio side, three different musical scores will be available: music composed and conducted by Carl Davis, performed by The Thames Silents Orchestra (in 5.1 or 2.0); music arranged and directed by Robert Israel; and theatre organ score by Lee Erwin.
Special features include:
- A video tour of the authentic General, presented in association with The Southern Museum
- A tour of the filming locations, presented by John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes
- Behind-the-scenes home movie footage
- Filmed introduction by Gloria Swanson
- Filmed introduction by Orson Welles
- “The Buster Express,” a brisk montage of train gags from throughout Keaton's Carreer