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Broken Lullaby

Play trailer Broken Lullaby Released Jan 24, 1932 1h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Suffering from a guilty conscience, French violinist Paul Renard (Phillips Holmes) confesses to a priest (Frank Sheridan) that he killed a German soldier named Walter Holderin during World War I. He receives absolution, but isn't satisfied, and decides to locate the Holderin family in Germany. When he does, he deceives them into thinking that he and Walter were childhood schoolmates. Things get complicated, however, when he falls in love with pretty Elsa Holderin (Nancy Carroll).

Critics Reviews

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R. Emmet Sweeney Film Comment Magazine [An] extraordinary stylistic experiment. Apr 28, 2014 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...the picture improves immeasurably once Holmes’ character arrives in Germany to seek forgiveness... Rated: 2.5/4 May 23, 2023 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Video Librarian Magazine This unsung Lubitsch drama is just as deserving of attention as the director's stellar comedies, both for its timeless theme and heartfelt presentation. Rated: 3/4 Mar 11, 2022 Full Review Frank J. Avella Edge Media Network Broken Lullaby is a powerful pacifist pre-code film from a truly iconic director that is highly recommended Rated: A Dec 14, 2021 Full Review Anne Brodie What She Said Not only is this a fascinating spiritual study that wouldn't fly now, but Lubitsch's story and eye are unparalleled. Nov 19, 2021 Full Review Roy V. Bailey Sacramento Bee It is a pleasure to recommend Broken Lullaby. It is decidedly different from the conventional film and has a message strongly portrayed that the things that unite humanity together are after all stronger than [our] differences. Feb 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Amin G I love this director. He has been very smart and this is another masterpiece of him focused on anti-war and the importance of emotions and beauty in life. The only weakness for me was Paul's performance Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/23/23 Full Review william d A touching story of redemption and forgiveness. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Frances H Wonderful film that showcases the talent of Lionel Barrymore--his best film, in my opinion. A three hankie movie. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/16 Full Review Audience Member A rather interesting movie about a young French soldier who, after killing his German counterpart during World War I, assuages his guilt by visiting the German's family in order to apologize. Interesting character study with anti war overtones. Fed right into my obsession with the Great War. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member very different for Lubitsch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member An emotional and intellectual critique of war as pointless. The movie is a tear jerker with funny moments. The resolution of the plot has a bit of a twist. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Broken Lullaby

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Cast & Crew

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Ernst Lubitsch

Director

Lionel Barrymore

Dr. H. Holderlin

Nancy Carroll

Fraulein Elsa, Walter's Fiance

Phillips Holmes

Paul Renaud

Lucien Littlefield

Herr Walter Schultz

Tom Douglas

Walter Holderlin, German soldier killed by Paul

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Broken Lullaby

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Movie Info

Synopsis Suffering from a guilty conscience, French violinist Paul Renard (Phillips Holmes) confesses to a priest (Frank Sheridan) that he killed a German soldier named Walter Holderin during World War I. He receives absolution, but isn't satisfied, and decides to locate the Holderin family in Germany. When he does, he deceives them into thinking that he and Walter were childhood schoolmates. Things get complicated, however, when he falls in love with pretty Elsa Holderin (Nancy Carroll).
Director
Ernst Lubitsch
Producer
Ernst Lubitsch
Screenwriter
Reginald Berkeley, Samson Raphaelson
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 24, 1932, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 30, 2015
Runtime
1h 17m