The Railrodder

Those of us who watch good cinema would agree that we have all grown up watching a lot of Buster Keaton's American films.However,there are not many of us who have been aware of his appearance in a Canadian film.

The Railrodder (1965) ** (out of 4)This here isn't a particularly good film but at the same time it's worth watching due to its star. The Railrodder (Buster Keaton) is a man living in Europe who reads about how great Canada is so he goes there and travels the railway system where he takes in the wonderful visuals.

I would almost rather not give The Railrodder a rating because this isn't really a pure film, nor is it a straightforward commercial, but something in-between: it has the overall structure of a promotional film but the charm of a work of art.Nominally created to promote Canada as a travel destination, Railrodder takes a completely leftfield approach from its very beginning, where Keaton's Londoner spontaneously jumps into the Thames and swims all the way to Canada.

"The Railrodder" is a Canadian 25-minute movie from over 50 years ago written and directed by Gerald Potterton. But the star here is obviously the lead actor.

"The Railrodder" is one of Buster Keaton's last films and, oddly, it's a travelogue of sorts made for the National Film Board of Canada. I've been a member of a Buster Keaton Facebook group for some time and heard several folks saying how good it was...

The Railrodder is one of the last films and very last silent film Buster Keaton made. Although gained some weight and lost some hair and flexibility The Great Stone Face didn't lose any of his comedic timing.

Their are a few different types of people who will enjoy The Railrodder. Fans of Buster Keaton (one of his last film appearances), train enthusiasts, proud Canadians, and those who, like myself, first saw it as childern, and were delighted by it.

*Spoiler/plot- 1965, A film produced by the Canadian railway system to promote their rail service with a world famous silent star, Buster Keaton. Buster has always been a rail fan.

Just watched on the National Film Board of Canada site as linked from Mark Evanier's this latter day short of Buster Keaton's near the end of his life. In it, he travels from London, England, to the Canadian countryside before riding on a railcar he stumbles into.