Der Mann, den sein Gewissen trieb

A haunting depiction of the moral after-effects of war (in this case, of World War I) on the life of a young French soldier who in a battlefield trench bayonets a young non-resisting German soldier. Reading a letter found on the deceased's body sets him on a trail of guilt in search of forgiveness. The pilgrimage leads him to Germany and the house of the dead man's parents. Though over-shadowed by the more famous "All Quiet on the Western Front", this film is no less poignant in its anti-war sentiment. In a few scenes the camera work is symbolically brilliant, adding a graphic depth to the dialog that follows. I saw it on TV in England; other reviewers report on it from Japan, Brazil, Canada, and the US. But never from DVD or video. Why not? It is a masterpiece worth preserving for generations to come, of those doubting the merits of war; worth buying and sharing.

I am really happy to have this chance to comment about this great movie.I have two reasons for that. One of them is that on doing so I also make a homage to my dear father who since my early day days constantly mentioned Broken Lullaby as being the "best movie he ever saw" and made me listen to his telling of every of its passages, every detail of it. In 1982 I had the opportunity to watch this movie on Tv in Brazil and was finally able to enjoy it with great emotion besides the fact that I could then agree with my father on how great the movie was.The other reason is that this comment may suggest movie industry to show Broken Lullaby today and sell VHS/DVD copies of same so that others can have the priviledge of enjoyng this great war drama. Lionel Barrymore's performance in this movie is somethong to be taken as magnificent. In all aspects the movie should be considered among the greatest ones ever made and be included in a list of the best movie classics for its human content and inspiring message of love and dignity.

What a pleasant surprise! This touching story of the misery visited upon one man by the First World War leads to memorable statement about who is responsible for war. I will definitely share this video with my friends.

Sandwiched as it is between his more usual fair (i.e. saucy operetta), Lubitsch's "Broken Lullaby" has not only been eclipsed, it has been forgotten. This is a crime.

While the subject matter is entirely serious, there are several "Lubitsch touches" that reveal the scope of the message behind "Broken Lullaby," particularly the sequence wherein the wives of the town open their windows to call to the neighbors, passing along a chain of gossip that follows the hero and heroine on their way home. Another brilliant community sequence involves the town elders gathered together to drink beer and pass judgment, which stops cold once Barrymore (who has made the Ftrench soldier a sort of surrogate son) joins them.

The plot of "Broken Lullaby" is doubly suspenseful: for the first half of the film, you wonder how Paul will reveal his secret to the Holderlin family; when he opts to follow a non-confrontational line of masquerade, the new suspense sets in as you wonder when he'll tell them the truth (or will they find out on their own?).

Phillips Holmes is strikingly handsome, and while his performance may seem too old school for modern eyes, he is completely honest as the soldier who is near-to-bursting with guilt (although remorse is a better way to put it). Lionel Barrymore should have received his Oscar nod for this film, and his speech to his peers at the inn is delivered with all the fire of a later Capra idealist. Only Nancy Carroll (so good in the same year's "Hot Saturday) seems out of place as Elsa: she is too American for this tale.

Brilliant details such as a glimpse of a military parade as seen from behind a soldier who has lost one leg, Barrymore adjusting the clock in his dead son's immaculately kept room (shrine?), and the many battle montages overlapping the opening church service culminate in the most understated, moving, and beautiful final moments of any film, one in which dialog is jettisoned in favor of two instruments joining to play one gorgeous song.

"Broken Lullaby" deserves restoration and a release on DVD immediately, not only for Lubitsch fans interested in seeing another side of the master's art, but also for those who embrace the ethos of acceptance and love.

'The Man I Killed', or 'Broken Lullaby' to others, appealed to me right away. There are many great war films out there (though admittedly do prefer slightly other types of films) and its message is an admirable one. It is notable for being an atypical effort for the great Ernst Lubitsch, instead of comedy, romantic comedy and musicals, 'The Man I Killed' is perhaps his most serious film. Seeing Lionel Barrymore in one of his more dramatic roles was interesting too.

While there was no doubt in my mind that it would be good at least, 'The Man I Killed' was more than good. It was very, very good and so close to being great. It was great to see a change of pace from Lubitsch, and just as much to see excel so well at it. Not everybody succeeds when they do something different to usual, some have even failed, but Lubitsch does succeed wonderfully. He never directed a more moving or more emotionally powerful film and in its own right there is so much to recommend.

Am going to get the very few not so good things out of the way. It is a little over-sentimental in places, though there is a big emphasis on in places and on a little.

Despite some excellent moments that do bring a lump to the throat, Phillips Holmes at times overacts and it is at odds with the more subtle acting of everybody else.

Lubitsch however directs impeccably, he directs with a darker touch but it didn't to me get too dark or too heavy generally. Of the performances, which are near uniformly good, Barrymore is particularly magnificent. One of his most subtle performances and one of his most poignant and intense too, especially in one of the most powerful speeches of any film seen recently. ZaSu Pitts is also excellent. The production values have both grit and elegance, with some beautifully crafted and clever shots at the start especially.

Some very effective use of sound too, like with agreed the marching feet which was quite unsettling. The script is literate without being talky and the message is delivered with force and sincerity without being laid on too thick. The story is harrowing and poignant, as well as sensitively handled. If the sentiment was a little less, the storytelling would have been perfect.

In conclusion, very, very good and nearly great with almost everything being outstanding. 8/10