The Goat (1921)

Don't Believe the Hype

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Frequent readers of my comments know that I believe movies can change you, can hurt or build. At least I make a pretty good case when it comes to heavy films. There are some very competent ones of these, "good" by many measures... that depending on how you are building yourself should be avoided.But what about comedy? Shouldn't it just be taken as it comes? Isn't the whole idea about the flow?Well, I know that some films make me laugh and later feel bad about it. And some amuse in different trivial ways, But when I think of funny, real funny that lasts, its gotta be the Marxes and this guy Keaton.This humor is physical, but instead of pain, it is based on the unexpected. Cinematic surprise. And this movie, to my mind is one of his best because he relies less on his sad character and more on the movement of the thing.Was this the first filmmaker who mastered it all, writing, directing, editing, acting? The thing about this is how it builds and builds. The pacing of the episodes, for sure. That doesn't seem so remarkable today. But the pacing of the stunts within that framework is remarkable in how the energy is compounded: setup, burst and faster and faster with the trigger.Its really something to see. And at the end, after you've seen it the first time and been surprised — and laughed, then you can wonder whether comedy can be as powerful as the other film experiences. Maybe so.Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

This is an extremely funny short feature, filled with good material and executed with perfect timing. It's a fine display of Buster Keaton's comic skill, and it's also an enjoyable example of the way his characters stoically and resourcefully face the most bizarre and unexpected of developments.The story starts with a silly mix-up (in a very clever scene that is also nicely executed) that sees Buster mistaken for notorious criminal 'Dead Shot Dan'. From then on, it is non-stop chases, stunts, and general chaos.It's all inspired silliness, with Keaton's creativity and sense of the absurd both in full force. If you enjoy Keaton's comedies, you should love "The Goat". In fact, you have to watch it more than once to catch all of the good material, and it's just as funny the second (or third) time through.

This is one you can watch over and over and laugh just as much each time. We have been on a Keaton fest around here after purchasing some of his films. In this one Buster is mistaken for an escaped murderer and there are lots of chase scenes and crazy scenes but also what is best about Buster - his creativity. The opening scene is really funny and it just keeps going from there.

Along with Cops, The Goat is one of Keaton's two funniest shorts. Which makes it one of the best shorts ever made. This has an decent "plot" for a short, and it forms a perfect line on which to hang some great gags. Keaton is mistaken for an escaped convict (how the mistake happens is a classic) and then must elude the authorities. Best gags - the bread line and t he "elevator".