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.

This early-sound film appeared fourteen years after the end of the "Great War." Lionel Barrymore, as Dr. Holderlin, the father of Walter, a German soldier killed in that war, provides a stirring metaphorical introspection into the militaristic bravado that inspired so many young Germans to march, and caused so many to die. Dr. Holderlin's comments at his "Stammtisch" (a cafe table reserved for town notables) are, for the time, surprisingly deep and revealing. He confesses he was caught up in the romance and pageantry of flags, trumpets and columns of uniformed young men marching off to meet the enemy. He believes he, together with others who shared those views, was as much responsible for his son's death as the enemy.

But it turns out the enemy, in the form of Paul, the French soldier who killed Barrymore's son, is as remorseful as the good doctor. Paul and Walter knew each other before the War. Paul's guilt that he was the cause of Walter's death drove Paul to Germany in an attempt at closure. There he met Walter's family and Elsa, Walter's sweetheart. Everyone's guilt and grief create in Paul a kind of eerie substitute for Walter. The film ends with Paul playing on the violin a lullaby similar to those Walter had played before the War.

*Broken Lullaby* is an excellent anti-war film, much in the *All Quiet on the Western Front* genre. It is unfortunate that it has not over the years received the critical attention it deserves.

Armistice Day 1919 is celebrated by most French citizens, but handsome veteran Phillips Holmes (as Paul Renaud) is haunted by the face of a German soldier he killed during the Great War. After consulting with a Priest, Mr. Holmes decides to visit the man's family, in Germany. Holmes intends to confess his act, and clear his Christian conscience. But, the dead soldier's family mistake Holmes for friend of the deceased, after learning he's been bringing flowers to Mr. Holderlin's grave. Eventually, the dead man's father, Lionel Barrymore (as Dr. Holderlin),accepts Holmes as almost a replacement son. Then, Holmes falls in love with pretty Nancy Carroll (as Elsa),the fiancée of the man he killed…

Ms. Carroll and Holmes were more memorable in "The Devil's Holiday" (1930); and, Carroll was runner-up in the "Academy Award" for "Best Actress" for the 1929-30 eligibility period. But, here, Carroll doesn't have anywhere near the screen time or script she needed to make a like impression. The more focal relationship is between "son" Holmes and "father" Barrymore. Holmes is the lead actor; and, with direction from Ernst Lubitsch, performs in a manner that sometimes seems over-the-top, but was favored by many "serious" actors during the early 1930s. Still, Mr. Lubitsch contributes memorable moments, and the opening montage is terrific. The film's thesis is out of fashion is some ways, but is nevertheless interesting.

****** Broken Lullaby (1/19/32) Ernst Lubitsch ~ Phillips Holmes, Lionel Barrymore, Nancy Carroll