The Railrodder

  “what a treat!!”

  “another great nfb memory film.....thks nfb for marking my childhood.....the making of the film was good also..i recommend it....”

  “Pure genius! The great Buster Keaton and the outstanding cinematography makes this one of my all-time favorite films (short or long)! This is a rare find and somewhat pricey to own. What a wonderful gesture to offer it here! I could not be more appreciative! ”

  “Really excellent. I recognized several places: the view from Levis across the Saint Lawrence to the Chateau Frontenac, the Montreal electrfication, but most thrilling was the approach to Ottawa Union Station. I believe it was in '65 when Union Station closed, the tracks torn up, and the service banished to Ottawa's outskirts, where today's VIA station stands. Who would've thought Buster Keaton was still active in the mid 1960s; and this work turned out to be just like a silent movie, with no dialogue and lots of sight gags. As I watched the film, I was constatntly reminded of a pre-talkie movie, Keaton's The General from 40 years earler. Equally wonderful was the obvious extensive cooperation of CN. Of course back then, CN was still a crown corporation so maybe it wasn't so hard for the National Film Board to pull some political strings and get this project done.”

  “If I knew Keaton was in a film on NFB I would have watched it a long time ago. Huge Keaton fan. Loved this! A friend on facebook gave me the link and I was surprised because I signed up along time ago. Long way around to see this but it's worth it. Thank you. PS. Did'nt know NFB was on facebook.”

  “I always liked this film, I worked on the railroad in Northern Alberta for 10yrs on the section, then CN bought us out and about 95% of us lost our jobs, I have driven those speeders like the Mr. Keaton is on it was a "Roadmasters speeder", and they could cruise 30mph no problem, a nice cushon seat to sit on, on a beautiful day it was wonderful driving down the tracks, something you don't ever forget. I remember one of his earlier movies called " The General" where a train was used for some of the sequences, truly a masterful talent at work, doing his own stunts, I also have seen a film on the making of this movie, listening to Mr. Keaton set up shots and directing it was worth the view.”

  “It's awesome to see Buster Keaton in such good form after all those years. And living it up with one his great loves: trains. Wow, I totally want to cross Canada by railway speeder!”