Go West (1925)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
76% of users liked it
(1,744 ratings)

With this delightful film, Buster Keaton rivals Charlie Chaplin for comic poetry and pathos. Keaton's character, known only as Friendless, is a Midwestern boy who is down on his luck. After an abortive attempt to get by in the city, he follows Horace Greeley's advice to "Go West, young man!" As a… More With this delightful film, Buster Keaton rivals Charlie Chaplin for comic poetry and pathos. Keaton's character, known only as Friendless, is a Midwestern boy who is down on his luck. After an abortive attempt to get by in the city, he follows Horace Greeley's advice to "Go West, young man!" As a result, Friendless winds up on a cattle ranch and is about the most unlikely cowboy imaginable (in fact, he never does trade in his porkpie hat for a ten-gallon). Various bits of comic business abound; standouts include the milking scene and a card game in which Friendless accuses a player of cheating. The sharpie tells The Great Stone Face "When you say that -- smile!" More importantly, Friendless finds true love -- not with the rancher's daughter (Kathleen Myers) but with Brown Eyes, a cow who seems nearly as out of place in the herd as Friendless does on the ranch. Cow and boy become devoted, but Brown Eyes is headed for the slaughterhouse. Friendless resolves to rescue her, sneaking on the train that's taking her and thousands of other cattle to the Los Angeles station. The herd escapes from the cattle cars at the destination and runs amok through downtown L.A.; it is then up to Friendless to round them up. Look closely during the hilarious stampede scene -- Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle plays a part in drag, and Keaton's father also has a bit in a barber shop. With the help of a costume shop, Friendless saves the day...and his cow. Go West is Keaton's most heartfelt film, and certainly one of his most underrated. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Buster Keaton, Eddie Cline
Written By: Lex Neal, Buster Keaton
Genres: Western, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1925 Wide
On DVD: Nov 20, 2001

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Buster's warmest film and his personal favorite.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Keaton's transcendent comedy of inadequacy
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
One of Buster's best, which means one of cinema comedy's best.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Typically inventive and gut busting comedy from the Great Stone Face.
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Buster Keaton's Go West doesn't quite compare to his best films but is an admirable stab at the funny bone nonetheless.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A hilarious western comedy starring Keaton as an amateur cowboy.
Eric B

"Go West" is not as well-regarded as some other Buster Keaton films such as "The General" and "Our Hospitality," but it's certainly worth seeing. And at only 69 minutes, it doesn't require much of a commitment. Down-on-his-luck… More
"Go West" is not as well-regarded as some other Buster Keaton films such as "The General" and "Our Hospitality," but it's certainly worth seeing. And at only 69 minutes, it doesn't require much of a commitment. Down-on-his-luck "Friendless" heads west (Keaton sure did love train scenes) and grabs some work as a cowboy, despite being a complete novice. He can't ride, can't shoot and can't milk a cow. When he pulls a stone out of a limping cow's hoof and the grateful beast becomes devoted to him a la "Androcles and the Lion," it seems like a sweet gag. Surprising that this idea becomes the central plot -- it's not much to hang a movie on. However, the climatic cattle drive through the streets of Los Angeles is a set piece that can't be missed.
Matthew Y

Another minor Keaton accomplishment with College and Battling Butler. Go West does still manage to overcome its shortcomings with, again great perfomances in the physical gags and stunt work. The antics with Keaton and the cow always brings a slight smile to me cheek.
Chris B

Another Buster Keaton masterpiece, Go West was his personal favorite and is a lesser known of his films but nonetheless a wonderful and touching comedy silent. Buster Keaton is portraying the character "Friendless" as he travels out west in search of a livelihood.… More
Another Buster Keaton masterpiece, Go West was his personal favorite and is a lesser known of his films but nonetheless a wonderful and touching comedy silent. Buster Keaton is portraying the character "Friendless" as he travels out west in search of a livelihood. Friendless is hired by a local rancher to help out around the farm and care for the animals. He befriends a cow named "Brown Eyes" that he cares for and protects because she seems to be shunned and ignored by the other steers on the ranch. Both outcasts, Friendless and Brown Eyes stick together through the daily life but hope seems lost upon hearing the cattle are headed to slaughter and the lot includes Brown Eyes. Friendless tries to buy her off the rancher but he doesn't have enough money. As they board the cattle on a train to market, Friendless sneaks in with Brown Eyes. On the journey the train is stopped by a group wanting the cattle themselves but the rest of the rancher's entourage fight them off. However, the train is set in motion while no one is on board, no one except Friendless and the thousand cattle. He is able to get the train to town and the cattle follow him and Brown Eyes, through an insane and hilarious journey through town, to the designated stables. In the end he saves the day and is rewarded by the rancher and given anything he wants, guess what he chooses! Keaton challenges Chaplin here for the poetic means to his routine and his character's likeability due to his misfortunes. What a great piece of comedic cinema! Highly Recommended!