Could someone explain what happens until the moment Paul is confessing to the priest? Possibly something involving the violin music played at the end? I normally don't watch a movie if I can't see it from the start, but it was a rare opportunity to see this film.
shareDuring the opening titles there's a variaton on Beethoven's Eroica 1st and 2nd movements.
Right after the opening titles there's military parade during the celebration of the first anniversary of the armistice after World War 1 (Notice the irony) There's one particular brilliant shot in which the parade is seen from behind a soldier with an amputated leg.
At one point the parade marches past a sign that says something like: "Keep silence. Hospital"
Then we see the people inside the hospital (which is a mental hospital) twisting in their beds with the scandalous sound of the parade. Then some cannons start shooting and one of the sick men gets ups in his bed and starts screaming.
Then we see the cathedral. Inside a mass is being celebrating on the same ocassion, while the priest talks about peace, we see that all the people there are soldiers, and we see their swords, medals, spurs, pistols (The irony continues) Then there's another shot of a cannon firing and it cuts to the camara moving very violently towards a crucifix inside the cathedral, and as we see the crucifix there's sounds of guns and cannon firing.
The mass ends, all the soldiers walk out, and the only man that remains there is Paul, who is kneeling and looks desperate. Then he sees the priest in the confessionary and goes to him...
The violin music played at the end is heard first when Dr. Holderlin enters his son's room and looks at the violin. Therefore this music has a direct connection to Walter (It may suggest that he used to play that particular piece) And that's why his parents are so touched when they hear it played by Paul, because he's really taken Walter's place in the family.
I hope this helps!