WatchTree Recommendations
What to Watch After The General
From Steam Engines to Steel Fists: Why Modern War Thrillers Echo Keaton’s Classic
If you loved the blend of slapstick bravery and historic backdrop in Buster Keaton’s 1927 classic The General, you’ll find a thrilling counterpart in the freshly minted Prisoner of War. This 2025 action‑war spectacle follows a British RAF commander thrust into a brutal Japanese POW camp, where his martial‑arts prowess turns the tables on his captors. Both films place a single, resourceful hero against overwhelming odds, using ingenuity and physical skill to reclaim what’s theirs—whether it’s a beloved locomotive or a stolen radio.
While The General remains a beloved silent‑era masterpiece, Prisoner of War offers a modern, pulse‑pounding take on wartime adventure, complete with hand‑to‑hand combat, covert resistance, and a daring escape timed to an Allied air raid. Together, they illustrate how the timeless appeal of courageous underdogs can be reimagined across decades, satisfying fans of classic cinema and those craving fresh, adrenaline‑filled storytelling alike.
Why these movies are similar to The General
During America’s Civil War, Union spies steal engineer Johnny Gray's beloved locomotive, 'The General'—with Johnnie's lady love aboard an attached boxcar—and he single-handedly must do all in his power to both get The General back and to rescue Annabelle.
These recommendations branch out from The General with similar tone, themes, genre elements, or audience appeal.
Prisoner of War
MOVIE • 2025
action • war • thriller
Why Watch Next
Prisoner of War delivers high‑octane combat and daring escapes set against WWII, echoing the daring heroism of Buster Keaton’s locomotive chase while updating the conflict for contemporary audiences.
Overview
British RAF Wing Commander James Wright is captured by the Japanese during WWII and forced to fight in brutal hand-to-hand combat. The Japanese soldiers get more than they bargained for when Wright’s years of martial arts training in Hong Kong prove him to be a formidable opponent.
