The Incredible Stunts of Buster Keaton

Of all the amazing things about Buster Keaton, the fact he wasn't killed during any of these stunts is up there.

This is what you call total dedication to one's art....we love Buster.

Having spent 40 years working in HOLLYWOOD as both a writer and studio historian I congratulate you along with so many others here, on your outstanding presentation of the genius of BUSTER KEATON! I was proud to have been consulted on John Bengston's 1999 book SILENT ECHOES... and I can well imagine the hard work and research you employed making this great salute to the legendary stunts of Buster Keaton. HOLLYWOOD never gave him the credit he deserved for being a pioneer, it wasn't until the 1960's that film scholars and fans alike began to appreciate his great contribution to the art of film. Keaton's mathematical approach in planning and timing his stunts, was a template for so many stunt legends that followed like Richard Talmadge, Yakima Canutt, Hal Needham and my late friend Loren Janes. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing so many stuntmen over the years, and they all owed a debt to Keaton because he really wrote the book on their profession... he really understood how to make a stunt more dangerous than it was by simply understanding the importance of camera trickery and editing. He calculated the risks and reduced the danger as best he could, but you can never plan for everything as demonstrated in this video when the best laid plans can go wrong real quick... his instructions to the cameraman to keep rolling were well founded, after all if you're going to risk your life over a movie stunt, you at least want something to show for it -right!

Every time I watch one of these YT videos on Buster Keaton I just shake my head in amazement. His stunts are incredible for any era of film, not just the silent era. This video goes beyond the others I've seen on YT and gives excellent insight into how he pulled them off. Buster Keaton - What a legend!

I was a 13 year old "Extra" on a Western pilot that starred Ernie Kovacs in the 1960s. I noticed Mr. Kovacs had driven a Bugatti sports car and was admiring it when I heard the assistant Director yell "Ouiet", the cameraman then stated "rolling" and then "speed" then the Director yelled "action". The camera was aimed at the swinging doors of a Western saloon when a man dressed in a fringed leather jacket and leather pants came flying backwards, out through the swinging doors, over the walkway and tumbled onto the street in front of the saloon. The Director yelled "cut" and the actor stood up, turned around so I could see his face, and behold, it was Buster Keaton who must have been in his middle seventies at the time. I then realized why he was called "Buster". The "Pilot" was never sold probably because Ernie Kovacs died in an automobile accident 3 or 4 days later while driving his wife's station wagon.

This is seriously one of the best short Keaton Documentaries I’ve ever seen. Thank you so much! I love Keaton so much!

Rarely you find people with the greatest devotion to their work. Rarest in Film industry. Keaton is the rarest of rare. Man put his life on line just to make us laugh. There is no one like him and there will never be..

There'll never be another like him....Wow!!!

Such a face he had, Buster Keaton. As made for film. The greatest of all time.

My Grandfather, born in 1906, always said he preferred Keaton's comedy to Chaplan's. Said Chaplan's movie had more snickers, but Keaton's had more full-on belly laughs. His favorites were Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, and the Marx Brothers. Two generations later, they were mine, too. What a testimonial to these comedians, that their comedy would remain funny, and relevant for that long! I wonder if any of the movie comedians now, will still be considered funny 80 years from now?

He was one of a unique individuals that we still talk, see, admire and enjoy even after 100 years has passed ❤LEGEND❤Buster Keaton Live Long❤

Keaton was the best, by far. We will never see the like again.

Buster is truly one of my heroes and should be considered a national treasure!

When I was 12 my neck was broken in 5 places. I walked around like that for three days and finally woke up on the hospital. Buster is the only other person that I can totally relate to because he's been there and done that.

They dont make actors like that anymore. Back then they actually had to have talent. Thank you Mr. Keaton for all of the wonderful laughs and exciting entertainment.

At 3:27...is that a picture of Keaton smiling??? Yes!

Great job! And so many stunts you just didn't have time for. One that staggers my mind is when he grabbed a passing car one-handed in the 1922 short "Cops." Cartoon characters can do it, but humans have things like shoulder joints and arm muscles that are supposed to provide limits. Truly amazing.

Well deserved praise in all the comments. Chaplin and Harold Lloyd did some wonderful stuff that wow'd you, but Keaton's stuff was just jaw dropping. A remarkable athlete who's pure genius created some of the greatest scenes EVER. Thank you for this delightful vid.

He was truly one of the greats.

Very cool, in less than 20 minutes, I now have even more appreciation for Buster. Very impressive man.