12 Best Buster Keaton Films: The Great Stone Face

Buster Keaton turned physical comedy into precise visual storytelling. His impassive screen persona—the Great Stone Face—is only one part of the appeal: the best films build jokes through framing, geography, machinery, and escalating cause and effect.

This selection ranges from feature-length landmarks such as The General, Sherlock Jr., and The Navigator to compact shorts including The Goat and The Paleface. Watching both formats shows how Keaton could sustain an elaborate chase across an entire film or construct a complete comic mechanism in a few minutes.

Best Buster Keaton Films

Let’s jump (pun intended!) into the top Buster Keaton movies.

Filmmaker quote

“My God, we ate, slept and dreamed our pictures.”

The full list

1. The General (1926)

The General is a classic silent film directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman. It was released in 1926 and is considered to be one of the greatest silent films ever made.

The film tells the story of a train engineer named Johnnie Gray (played by Keaton), who is rejected from serving in the Confederate army during the American Civil War.

When his beloved train, The General, is stolen by Union soldiers, Johnnie sets out to retrieve it and rescue his girlfriend who is on board.

The film is notable for its stunning visuals and action sequences, which were accomplished with minimal special effects and relied heavily on Keaton’s physical comedy skills.

The train chase scenes in particular are some of the most impressive in cinematic history.

On release, The General was a commercial failure, and most critics thought it less funny than Keaton’s earlier work. It was not widely seen again until it was reissued in the 1950s.

However, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece of silent cinema and has influenced generations of filmmakers.

Overall, The General is a thrilling adventure story with a charming and sympathetic protagonist, breathtaking action sequences, and a timeless sense of humor. It is a must-see for fans of silent cinema and anyone interested in the history of film.

2. Sherlock Jr. (1924)

Sherlock Jr. is a 1924 silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton. The film follows a projectionist (played by Keaton) who aspires to become a detective like Sherlock Holmes.

When he is accused of stealing a watch, he falls asleep and dreams that he is the great detective, trying to solve the crime and clear his name.

The film is renowned for its innovative use of special effects, including a sequence where Keaton’s character enters the film within the film, seamlessly transitioning from the real world to the world of the movie.

If you like Buster Keaton’s work, on our sister site AuteurGraph we have a profile page, a visual film timeline, and a ratings page that gives a tonne of info and data about their career in a visualized form.

This groundbreaking technique was achieved with precisely matched cuts and careful positioning, and is still admired by filmmakers and audiences today.

The film is also notable for its inventive visual gags, physical comedy, and Keaton’s impeccable timing and athleticism.

He performs a number of dangerous stunts throughout the film, including riding on the handlebars of a motorcycle and jumping onto a moving car, demonstrating his remarkable skill as a physical comedian.

Overall, Sherlock Jr. is a timeless classic that showcases Buster Keaton’s unmatched talent as a filmmaker, actor, and physical comedian. It remains a beloved and influential film in the history of cinema, and is a must-see for fans of classic silent comedies.

3. Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Steamboat Bill, Jr. is a 1928 silent comedy film directed by Charles Reisner and starring Buster Keaton.

The film tells the story of a young man named William Canfield Jr., nicknamed Steamboat Bill, who returns home to reconcile with his estranged father, a gruff and tough steamboat captain.

The film is notable for its impressive stunts and special effects, including the memorable hurricane sequence, which features a house collapsing around Keaton while he stands in the perfect spot to avoid getting crushed.

The scene is considered one of the most iconic in Keaton’s career and is often cited as an example of his inventive use of physical comedy.

In addition to the memorable stunts, Steamboat Bill, Jr. also features Keaton’s trademark deadpan humor and clever visual gags.

The film is also notable for its depiction of a changing America, as the steamboat is slowly being replaced by more modern forms of transportation.

Overall, Steamboat Bill, Jr. is a classic example of Keaton’s unique style of physical comedy and inventive storytelling.

It was a box-office failure, the biggest money-loser among his United Artists features, but it remains a beloved classic of the silent era.

4. Seven Chances (1925)

Seven Chances is a silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton. It was released in 1925 and is based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue.

The film follows the story of a young man named Jimmie Shannon (played by Keaton), who stands to inherit a fortune from his grandfather’s will, but only on the condition that he gets married by 7:00 PM on his 27th birthday, which happens to be that same day.

Desperate to get married and claim his inheritance, Jimmie proposes to his girlfriend, but she rejects him.

Jimmie then embarks on a series of comical misadventures as he tries to find a bride in a hurry, including a memorable chase scene in which he is pursued by a large group of women.

Seven Chances is a classic silent comedy with a great deal of physical humor and slapstick comedy.

Keaton’s performance is especially noteworthy, as he displays his characteristic deadpan expression and acrobatic physicality throughout the film.

The film also features some impressive stunt work, including a dangerous sequence in which a large boulder chases Keaton down a hill.

Overall, Seven Chances is a classic example of Keaton’s unique brand of humor and is a must-see for fans of silent comedy and early cinema. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and Keaton’s comedic genius.

5. Go West (1925)

Go West is a 1925 silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton. The film follows a young man (played by Keaton) who leaves the city to head west and make his fortune as a cowboy.

He eventually finds work on a cattle ranch, but his lack of experience with the animals leads to a series of mishaps and disasters.

He befriends a cow, Brown Eyes, after pulling a stone from her hoof, and she stays with him for the rest of the film.

The film is noted for its inventive and physically demanding stunts, including a sequence where Keaton tries to milk a cow and his attempts at bronco-busting.

As with many of Keaton’s films, Go West contains a number of memorable visual gags and comic set pieces, including the finish, in which he leads a cattle herd through Los Angeles wearing a red devil costume.

The film also features stunning scenery and impressive cinematography, capturing the wide-open spaces and rugged terrain of the American West.

Overall, Go West is a classic silent comedy that showcases Buster Keaton’s unique brand of physical comedy and humor.

It remains a beloved and influential film in the history of cinema, and is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood comedies.

6. Three Ages (1923)

Three Ages is a 1923 silent comedy film directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline. The film is a parody of D.W. Griffith’s epic film Intolerance and tells three parallel love stories set in the Stone Age, ancient Rome, and modern-day America.

The film features Keaton’s trademark deadpan humor and inventive visual gags. In each of the three eras, Keaton’s character is a hapless lover who must compete for the affections of his true love against other suitors.

The film features some impressive set design, including a large-scale recreation of ancient Rome, and showcases Keaton’s talents as a physical comedian and stuntman.

One of the most memorable scenes in Three Ages involves Keaton trying to win his love’s heart by playing football in the modern-day segment of the film.

The scene features some impressive physical comedy and has become a classic example of Keaton’s unique style of humor.

Overall, Three Ages is a charming and inventive film that showcases Keaton’s talents as a comedian and filmmaker.

The film’s exploration of love and courtship throughout history provides a unique and entertaining viewing experience, and its clever parody of Intolerance adds an extra layer of humor for fans of film history.

7. The Navigator (1924)

The Navigator is a silent comedy film directed by Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp and starring Keaton, released in 1924.

The film tells the story of wealthy Rollo Treadway (played by Keaton), who decides to take a trip around the world on his own, and finds himself aboard a steamship that is adrift at sea.

Along with his crush, Betsy O’Brien (played by Kathryn McGuire), Rollo must figure out how to survive on the ship, which is completely devoid of crew and other passengers.

As they navigate the ship together, Rollo and Betsy have to run the empty liner by themselves. The ship later grounds near an island, where a tribe of cannibals captures Betsy.

The Navigator is a classic example of Keaton’s unique brand of physical comedy and slapstick humor.

The film features several of his signature gags, including a hilarious scene in which Keaton attempts to cook a meal in the ship’s kitchen, with disastrous results.

The film is also notable for an underwater sequence in which Rollo, in a diving suit, patches a leak and tangles with a swordfish and an octopus.

Overall, The Navigator is a delightful and hilarious film, and is considered to be one of Keaton’s best works.

Its inventive humor and impressive visuals have made it a favorite among audiences and film historians alike. It is a must-see for fans of silent comedy and early cinema.

8. The Goat (1921)

The Goat is a 1921 silent comedy film directed by Buster Keaton and Malcolm St. Clair. The film follows Keaton’s character, who is mistakenly identified as a dangerous criminal on the loose, leading to a series of misadventures and comic mishaps.

Throughout the film, Keaton’s character tries to evade the police and the actual criminal, often with the help of a young woman who he meets along the way.

The trouble starts when escaped murderer Dead Shot Dan tricks a police photographer into using Keaton’s face on the wanted poster.

One of the most memorable images in the film is Keaton sitting on the cowcatcher of a locomotive that stops inches from the camera.

The chase is a testament to Keaton’s athleticism and fearlessness as a performer.

Overall, The Goat is a classic silent comedy that demonstrates Buster Keaton’s unique talents as a physical comedian and filmmaker.

Its inventive gags, witty humor, and daring stunts continue to delight audiences nearly a century after its initial release, cementing its status as a timeless classic of the silent era.

9. Battling Butler (1926)

Battling Butler is a 1926 silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton.

The film tells the story of a wealthy young man named Alfred Butler. On a camping trip he falls for a mountain girl, and his valet tells her family that Alfred is the professional boxer “Battling Butler.”

Alfred then has to keep up the charade, including a comic training regimen, after the real champion turns up.

Battling Butler is notable for its inventive visual gags and clever use of physical comedy. The climax comes in the locker room, after the real Battling Butler has already won the scheduled bout. The champion starts beating Alfred, who finally fights back and knocks him out.

10. The Balloonatic (1923)

The Balloonatic is a silent short film directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline and starring Keaton, released in 1923. The film follows the story of Keaton’s character, who is a hapless young man that sets out on a balloon ride but ends up crash-landing in a remote wilderness.

There, he encounters a beautiful young woman (played by Phyllis Haver) who is also stranded in the wilderness. The two of them set out to explore the area, encountering various obstacles and misadventures along the way.

As with many of Keaton’s films, The Balloonatic is a masterclass in physical comedy and slapstick humor.

The film features several memorable sequences, including a hilarious scene in which Keaton and Haver attempt to cross a lake by walking across a series of logs, only to end up falling into the water.

The film also features some impressive stunts, such as a sequence in which Keaton uses a tree branch to propel himself through the air.

Overall, The Balloonatic is a charming and entertaining film, and is a great showcase for Keaton’s unique brand of humor and physicality.

Despite its relatively short runtime, the film manages to pack in a lot of laughs and memorable moments. It is a must-see for fans of silent comedy and early cinema.

11. The Paleface (1922)

The Paleface is a 1922 silent comedy film directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline. Oil men have cheated a Native American tribe out of its land and ordered the tribe to leave. The chief tells his people to kill the first white man who comes through the gate.

Keaton plays a butterfly collector who wanders in while chasing a butterfly. The tribe ties him to a stake. He survives the fire in asbestos underwear, and they adopt him as Little Chief Paleface.

He then helps the tribe confront the oil men. After a chase and a clothes switch, he finds the deed to the land and, as his reward, chooses a young woman from the tribe.

As with many of Keaton’s films, The Paleface is noted for its inventive physical gags and comic set pieces, including the stake sequence and the pursuit that follows.

Overall, The Paleface is a classic silent comedy that showcases Buster Keaton’s unique brand of physical comedy and humor.

Its inventive gags, stunning visuals, and daring stunts continue to entertain audiences nearly a century after its initial release, cementing its status as a timeless classic of the silent era.

12. The Love Nest (1923)

The Love Nest is a 1923 silent comedy short directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline, starring Keaton alongside Joe Roberts and Virginia Fox.

After the girl played by Virginia Fox breaks off their engagement, Keaton sets out in a small boat and is taken aboard a whaling ship called the Love Nest. Joe Roberts plays the captain, who throws crewmen overboard for small offenses and sends a funeral wreath after them.

Keaton is made the replacement steward and keeps narrowly avoiding the same fate. He eventually scuttles the ship and escapes in a lifeboat. The voyage is a dream: he wakes still tied up at the dock.

The Love Nest, Keaton’s final silent short, is notable for those dark visual gags and for his deadpan reactions to the captain’s violence.

Overall, The Love Nest is a charming and hilarious film that showcases Buster Keaton’s talents as a physical comedian and filmmaker.

Its combination of clever gags, inventive set pieces, and impressive stunts make it a classic of the silent era and a must-watch for fans of comedy and film history.

3 Characteristics of Buster Keaton Films

Physical Comedy: Buster Keaton was known for his acrobatic abilities and his ability to perform dangerous stunts. Many of his films are full of physical comedy and slapstick humor, with Keaton often performing his own stunts and executing complex gags with precision and grace.

Deadpan Expression: Keaton was famous for his deadpan expression, often remaining stoic and unemotional in the face of chaos and mayhem.

This understated approach to comedy was a key part of his appeal, and helped to make him one of the most beloved comedians of his era.

Inventive Visuals: Keaton was also known for his inventive use of visuals, often using props and special effects to create surreal and fantastical imagery.

His films frequently feature elaborate sets and clever camera work, as well as a wide range of special effects, including stop-motion animation and forced perspective.

This creative use of visuals helped to make his films stand out from other comedies of the time, and remains a key part of his legacy today.

3 Reasons Why You Should Watch Buster Keaton Films

Unique and Inventive Physical Comedy: Buster Keaton was known for his incredible athleticism and fearlessness as a performer, and his films are full of unique and inventive physical gags and stunts.

From scaling tall buildings to performing daring jumps and falls, Keaton’s physical comedy was a major influence on later comedians like Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville.

Timeless Humor: While many of Keaton’s films were made nearly a century ago, their humor and wit still resonate with modern audiences.

Keaton’s films often rely on universal themes and timeless gags, making them just as funny and engaging today as they were when they were first released.

Historical Significance: Buster Keaton is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the silent era, and his films represent an important chapter in the history of cinema.

Watching Keaton’s films can give viewers a deeper understanding of early Hollywood and the development of film as an art form.

Additionally, Keaton’s influence on comedy and cinema continues to be felt today, making his films a must-see for anyone interested in film history and culture.

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Best Buster Keaton Films – Wrapping Up

Buster Keaton was a master of physical comedy and an innovative filmmaker whose work has stood the test of time. His films continue to be celebrated for their clever gags, impressive stunts, and inventive visual storytelling, and they remain popular with audiences of all ages.

Some of Keaton’s most popular and acclaimed films include The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr., Sherlock Jr., and Our Hospitality. These films are widely regarded as classics of the silent era and are essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of cinema.

Other notable Keaton films include The Navigator, Seven Chances, College, Go West, and The Cameraman.

These films showcase Keaton’s unique talents as a physical comedian and filmmaker, and they are beloved by audiences for their humor, wit, and creativity.

In addition to his work in film, Keaton also made significant contributions to the development of visual effects and camera techniques.

His use of multiple exposures, stop-motion animation, and other techniques helped to push the boundaries of what was possible in early cinema.

Overall, Buster Keaton remains a legendary figure in the world of film, and his work continues to inspire and entertain audiences nearly a century after its creation.

Whether you’re a die-hard Keaton fan or a newcomer to his work, there’s no better time to discover the magic of his films and the enduring legacy of his artistry.

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