Joseph Roth

The disabled ex-soldier Andreas Pum lost a leg for emperor and father land. After leaving the army he receives a license and a drehorgel. One day he gets into a controversy with a welldressed gentleman, disturbs the public order, and hits a policeman. Andreas Pum goes to jail, loses his license and becomes toilet guard in the Cafe Halali after his release. Only at the moment of death he recognizes that he was always too decent and too obedient. (imdb)

1918. The young lieutenant Theodor Lohse witnesesses the end of World War 1 and the downfall of the German monarchy. It is a time of politicial change and turmoil. After the war Theodor Lohse's military carreer comes to an end. Since mass unemployement and the different political movements of the time make it difficult for him to find a place in society, he joins a right extremist organization and betrays political dissidents to the police. (festival-cannes.fr)

The subject of this bleak German historical film is the deterioration of the life of a man who failed to adapt to the changes in Austria after the World War I. Trotta (Andras Balint) is a minor nobleman, who, along with his peers, cheers the advent of the war. The war causes many financial reverses for his family, and his marriage becomes chaotic; his wife leaves him to live with a woman, though she comes back to his bed from time to time. (allmovie.com)

Austrian church bell ringer Freyman loves music and wants his two sons (both played by Ameche) to love it too. The first goes to America and the second is born deaf-mute but gains hearing during WWI bombing. (imdb)