Remordimiento

it is easy to define it as pathetic. but it has the virtue to be one of the most convincing anti-war film. not only for the touching speech of the character of Lionel Barrymore front to his friends, for the need of Paul Renard to correct a terrible sin or for the final lullaby, but for the status of message between the two World Wars. this is the detail who gives more value to an exercise to define the need of peace than many others films about the same theme. because the ordinary recipes has fascinating nuances in this case. nuances who gives to it a special beauty. and a profound expression of compassion. the delicacy of feelings , the strong emotions, the preconceptions and the image of the other in dark nuances are covered in a real inspired eulogy of humanity.

In the sense that this film's post-WW I pacifist yearnings are naive and unsupported by philosophic or practical consideration, this film is dated, there's no denying that. In that sense it's tied to its time in a way that many other films of the early thirties are not. But still, it's a wonderful film! A simple story: A Frenchman is overcome with guilt for killing a single German in battle in WW I. The church gives him no solace, so he decides to seek the forgiveness of the German soldier's family. The family jumps to the conclusion that he was a friend of their son, and he hasn't the courage to tell them the truth.

The performances are straightforward, and Lionel Barrymore is superb, as he nearly always was in his early years. When appropriate, Lubitsch uses all the showy techniques of his personal style. The opening scenes are a bravura series of brilliant visual bits, particularly the tracking shot down the church aisle at an armistice service, showing a belted sword extended from each pew. At other points, too, his special touch is evident, especially with the use of sound. When the German girl strolls with the Frenchman, the scandalous news travels from shop to shop to shop, and their walk is punctuated by the sound of the tingling bells on the shop doors. And the ticking of the clock, which the old man faithfully winds in his dead son's room, is adroitly used in the final scenes. One of the most telling uses of sound is when Barrymore hears the sound of marching feet. He looks toward an archway and the militaristic sound grows louder, but the sequence ends before the soldiers appear in the arch. It's a chilling moment that reminds the audience that Hitler is just off-screen, that perhaps the film's ideas are already out-of-date.

But Lubitsch also shows his greatness by the ABSENCE of obvious Lubitsch technique throughout much of the film. He's aware that his characters are the essence of the film, and for long stretches he lets his players act their story in plain, unbroken two-shots, without cinematic embellishment. It's a film by a master, and it's shameful that the failure of this film prevented Lubitsch from ever undertaking another drama.

'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

Most Definitely holds up and shows the intellectual capability, both Ideally & artistically. I strongly believe it will be better than some movies in 2032.

Lionel Barrymore had a beautiful/responsible speech that should be a household ideal because it definitely challenged me on my stance to the matter.

Broken Lullaby is a story in the vein of All Quiet on the Western Front. Paul Renaud (Phillips Holmes) is a soldier for France during WWI. He does his duty and kills an enemy, but the ordeal scars him painfully. He becomes obsessed with his victim, discovers his name is Walter Holderlin, and even goes to Walter's hometown to visit with his family. He intends to tell them of his crime, to apologize and explain himself. However, when he goes to their home and meets with his father (Lionel Barrymore), he finds he cannot go through with it. He decieves them into thinking he was friends with Walter, and that he came to offer himself as a replacement for their son. In a way, he does take over Walters life, and even falls in love with his fiancée (Nancy Carroll).

A highly sophisticated but atypical Lubitsch film, Broken Lullaby has many memorable scenes and great photographic elements. The camera is hardly static, even for such an early talking picture. The major flaw with it is Holmes' acting style. While the others are more subdued and natural, his stagy performance is a bit offputting.