One of the most brilliant motion pictures ever made that hardly anyone has ever heard of. It's an absolutely riveting story of post-World War I Germany where a French soldier, feeling painful depressing guilt over having killed a young German soldier desperately wants to atone.
Phillips Holmes, best known for his leading role in the first film version of "An American Tragedy" (in the role Montgomery Clift played in 1951's more well known "A Place in the Sun"), gives a heartfelt performance who shows up in the dead soldier's home town, wanting to put flowers on his grave. The grieving father (Lionel Barrymore) is initially antagonistic to him as a Frenchman, and yet comes to welcome him into his home, introducing him to his son's fiancee (Nancy Carroll).
An emotional film on so many levels, covering guilt and atonement as well as an anti-war sentiment, this is a rare serious drama from the legendary Ernst Lubitsch, best known for art decco romantic musicals and drawing room comedies. Louise Carter is memorable as Barrymore's wife, absolutely taken with Holmes which adds to his guilt.
Lucien Littlefield is the epitome of uppity sleaze as a rich man who tries to bribe Carroll into marriage, and Emma Dunn as the mother of another dead soldier is moving in her scene, being comforted by Carter. Zasu Pitts as the maid is amusing but plays the role without her trademark mannerisms. Barrymore can be a bit theatrical, but for where he uses those techniques, it's brilliant. Once you see this film, you'll never forget it. Up there with "The Fighting Sullivans" for the dramatization of how war impacts the families facing tragedy.
Phillips Holmes, best known for his leading role in the first film version of "An American Tragedy" (in the role Montgomery Clift played in 1951's more well known "A Place in the Sun"), gives a heartfelt performance who shows up in the dead soldier's home town, wanting to put flowers on his grave. The grieving father (Lionel Barrymore) is initially antagonistic to him as a Frenchman, and yet comes to welcome him into his home, introducing him to his son's fiancee (Nancy Carroll).
An emotional film on so many levels, covering guilt and atonement as well as an anti-war sentiment, this is a rare serious drama from the legendary Ernst Lubitsch, best known for art decco romantic musicals and drawing room comedies. Louise Carter is memorable as Barrymore's wife, absolutely taken with Holmes which adds to his guilt.
Lucien Littlefield is the epitome of uppity sleaze as a rich man who tries to bribe Carroll into marriage, and Emma Dunn as the mother of another dead soldier is moving in her scene, being comforted by Carter. Zasu Pitts as the maid is amusing but plays the role without her trademark mannerisms. Barrymore can be a bit theatrical, but for where he uses those techniques, it's brilliant. Once you see this film, you'll never forget it. Up there with "The Fighting Sullivans" for the dramatization of how war impacts the families facing tragedy.