Open ClassicCINEMA
Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 790

Three Ages

192364 minUnited States
ComedyRomance
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs
63:59
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Buster Keaton / Edward F. Cline · Public domain

Synopsis

A slight, resourceful suitor competes with a much more imposing rival in three different eras: prehistoric times, ancient Rome and the modern city. The costumes and obstacles change, but the same struggle for love returns in each setting. Keaton moves between the parallel adventures, finding comic inventions in everything from primitive weapons to contemporary machinery.

Cast

DirectorsBuster KeatonEdward F. Cline

Behind the scenes

Keaton and Edward F. Cline organize the feature as three interwoven stories, with Keaton, Wallace Beery and Margaret Leahy returning as the central trio in each period. The structure carries the rapid invention of his shorts into a longer format.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 12, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Audience rating

Loading ratings…

Keep exploring

Collection