The General - Characters & Cast

Johnnie's primary motivation is his profound love for two things: his fiancée, Annabelle Lee, and his locomotive, "The General." When both are taken from him by Union spies, his singular focus becomes their rescue and recovery. This personal quest drives him to perform incredible, death-defying stunts and to single-handedly take on the Union army.

Johnnie begins as a skilled but unassuming train engineer, ostracized and deemed a coward by his love and community for failing to enlist in the army. His arc is one of vindication. Through his perilous journey to rescue his two loves, Annabelle and his locomotive, he transforms from a social outcast into an undeniable hero. He proves that courage is not determined by a uniform but by action and ingenuity, ultimately earning the respect of his peers and the love of Annabelle, as well as a commission as an officer.

Initially, her motivation is to see Johnnie conform to the societal expectation of enlisting in the Confederate army. After being kidnapped, her motivation shifts to survival and escape. She becomes an active, if sometimes comically inept, participant in the escape with Johnnie, motivated by a newfound respect and love for him.

Annabelle starts as a fairly conventional Southern belle who initially rejects Johnnie based on societal pressure and a misunderstanding of his failure to enlist. Her character arc involves realizing the true nature of heroism. After being kidnapped and witnessing Johnnie's incredible bravery and resourcefulness firsthand, her perception of him completely changes. She moves from disdain to admiration and deep affection, recognizing that his courage far exceeds that of the uniformed men she once admired.

As a Union Captain, his motivation is purely military. He aims to execute a strategic raid by stealing the train and burning bridges to cripple the Confederate army's infrastructure and aid the Union war effort. His actions are dictated by duty to his side of the conflict.

Captain Anderson is the leader of the Union spies who steal "The General." He serves as the primary antagonist driving the conflict. His character does not have a significant arc; he remains a determined and capable enemy agent throughout the film, focused on his mission to disrupt Confederate supply lines. He represents the formidable, faceless opposition that Johnnie must overcome.