A Buster Keaton silent classic – with piano accompaniment

The best way to watch a silent movie is with live music, ably provided here by Mike Hatchard, an award-winning musician whose track record encompasses just about every genre you can think of.

The General (1926), directed by and starring Buster Keaton, is a landmark silent film blending physical comedy with elaborate action set pieces.

Set during the American Civil War, it follows Keaton’s character, Johnnie Gray, a railroad engineer who pursues Union spies who have stolen his beloved locomotive, “The General”—and, unwittingly, his fiancée.

Drawing on all his professional experience Mike Hatchard provides the perfect accompaniment to this legendary film whose popularity hasn’t diminished in over a century with a special performance for his friends and friends of Bexhill Museum.

Keaton’s meticulous craftsmanship is on full display: he performs dangerous stunts with deadpan precision, often atop a moving train.

In one scene an entire train was sacrificed to get the perfect shot – still breathtaking. Who would have thought audiences would still be entranced all this time on?

And what better venue to rekindle the cinematic past than Bexhill Museum?

Come along and join in the magic.

With live piano accompaniment and an original score by Mike Hatchard.

Bexhill Museum
Friday 16th May 2025
Door time: 7:00pm Start time: 7:30pm 7.30pm
Tickets £8 from WegotTickets.com or on the door.