影片采用冷静的艺术视角。影像修复技术让历史重新展现，全彩处理增强画面细节，画面技术提升观看维度。技术运用保持低调，整体色彩追求真实。整体场面注重思想内涵。色彩运用体现严谨精神，声音创作追求自然风格。HauntedbythememoryofWalterHolderlin,asoldierhekilledduringWorldWarI,FrenchmusicianPaulRenard(PhillipsHolmes)confessestoapriest(FrankSheridan),whograntshimabsolution.Usingtheaddressonaletterhefoundonthedeadman'sbody,PaulthentravelstoGermanytofindhisfamily.　　Asanti-FrenchsentimentcontinuestopermeateGermany,Dr.Holderlin(LionelBarrymore)initiallyrefusestowelcomePaulintohishome,butchangeshismindwhenhisson'sfiancéeElsaidentifieshimasthemanwhohasbeenleavingflowersonWalter'sgrave.Ratherthanrevealtherealconnectionbetweenthem,PaultellstheHolderlinfamilyhewasafriendoftheirson,whoattendedthesamemusicalconservatoryhedid.　　Althoughthehostiletownspeopleandlocalgossipsdisapprove,theHolderlinsbefriendPaul,whofindshimselffallinginlovewithElsa(NancyCarroll).WhensheshowsPaulherformerfiancé'sbedroom,hebecomesdistraughtandtellsherthetruth.SheconvinceshimnottoconfesstoWalter'sparents,whohaveembracedhimastheirsecondson,andPaulagreestoforegoeasinghisconscienceandstayswithhisadoptedfamily.Dr.HolderlinpresentsWalter'sviolintoPaul,whoplaysitwhileElsaaccompanieshimonthepiano.　　Thefilm'soriginaltitle,TheManIKilled,waschangedtoTheFifthCommandmenttoavoidgivingwrongimpressionsinthemindsofthepublicaboutthecharacterofthestory.ItultimatelywasreleasedasBrokenLullaby.