The Case of Sergeant Grischa (film)

The Case of Sergeant Grischa is a 1930 American PreCode drama film directed by Herbert Brenon, based on the German novel of the same name by Arnold Zweig. The film was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Sound Recording John Tribby.

After leaving Babkas, on his way back to his home in Russia, he stops at a friend of Babkas, who lives in Mervinsk. When a German soldier arrives at the house, Grischa hides in the basement. As he is about to leave, the soldier notices the Russian soldiers cap which Babka has dropped on his way to the cellar. Babka is captured, after which it is discovered that his false identity is that of a Russian spy, for which he is sentenced to execution.While in captivity, Babkas real identity is uncovered, but the German command refuses to reverse his sentence. Babka and her friends make plans to help him escape once again, at the same time as a powerful general in the German army, von Lychow, hears about his case and decides to intercede on his behalf. Grischa refuses the help of Babka, putting his trust with von Lychow. When von Lychow meets with the German CommanderinChief, General Schieffenzahn, they argue over Grischas case, von Lychow pleading for leniency, while Schieffenzahn wanting the execution to go forward as soon as possible. They end their argument without seeing eyetoeye, but after von Lychow departs, Schieffenzahn changes his mind and sends an order to cancel the execution. However, a storm has caused the wires to be down, and the message never arrives. Grischa is executed by firing squad. ........

Source: Wikipedia