Broken Lullaby

Play trailer

Broken Lullaby

Released Jan 24, 1932

1h 17m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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).

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

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

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Shanghai Express

96%

79%

Shanghai Express

Watchlist

It

88%

81%

It

Watchlist

The Devil Is a Woman

56%

70%

The Devil Is a Woman

Watchlist

The Story of Temple Drake

86%

65%

The Story of Temple Drake

Watchlist

The Lost Weekend

97%

90%

The Lost Weekend

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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
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