Summer of My German Soldier (TV film)
Encyclopedia
Summer Of My German Soldier is a 1978
made-for-TV movie based on the novel of the same name
written by Bette Greene
. It stars Kristy McNichol
as a Jewish-American girl and Bruce Davison
as the German prisoner of war
whom she befriends.
, during World War II
. Patty's family owns the local clothing and general supplies store, in which Patty occasionally works. Patty's abusive father and uncaring mother have little time for her, instead favoring her younger sister Sharon. However, Patty does have a friend in the family's black, middle-aged housekeeper, Ruth.
The U.S. government opens a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp for captured German soldiers in the town, and one day Patty meets one of the POWs: Anton Friedrich Reiker (one of the few prisoners able to speak English) when the POWs are allowed to buy supplies from her family's store. Soon after, Anton escapes from the POW camp and is on the run. He is about to escape on a train when Patty sees him and scuppers his plans. Rather than inform the authorities, Patty hides the young soldier in some abandoned rooms above the family's disused garage and brings him food. The two become close friends, Anton showing Patty a warmth and respect that she never had from her cold family.
Anton nearly gets exposed when he sees Patty's father beating her one day and nobly runs out of hiding to protect her, but she shouts for him to go back before he is seen. However, Ruth sees Anton. She does not approve but agrees to keep Patty's secret and helps by giving Anton food. Before long, the FBI begin conducting a thorough search of the town looking for Anton. When they call at the Bergens' home, Patty runs out to the garage to warn Anton that he must leave immediately or he will be caught. Anton flees from the garage after thanking Patty for her help and gives her a valuable ring that belonged to his grandfather. However, whilst trying to leave town that night, the FBI find Anton and he is shot dead trying to escape. Patty is virtually disowned by her father, who tells her that she is dead to him, and by all of the townsfolk, who view her as a traitor for aiding a German prisoner. The only person who still talks to her is Ruth, who has now been fired from her job as housekeeper, and who tries to comfort Patty in her grief. Ruth tells the townsfolk to leave Patty alone as only God has the right to stand in judgment of her.
was nominated and won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Ruth.
1978 in film
The year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
made-for-TV movie based on the novel of the same name
Summer of My German Soldier
Summer of My German Soldier is a book by Bette Greene first published in 1973.The story is told in first person narrative by a twelve-year-old Jewish girl named Patty Bergen living in Jenkinsville, Arkansas during World War II. The story focuses on the friendship between Patty and an escaped German...
written by Bette Greene
Bette Greene
Bette Greene is the author of several books for children and young adults, including Summer of My German Soldier, The Drowning of Stephan Jones, and the Newbery Honor book Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe...
. It stars Kristy McNichol
Kristy McNichol
Christina Ann "Kristy" McNichol is an American actress.McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol...
as a Jewish-American girl and Bruce Davison
Bruce Davison
Bruce Davison is an American actor and director.-Early life:Davison was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Marian E. , a secretary, and Clair W. Davison, a musician, architect, and draftsman for the Army Engineers. His parents divorced when he was three years old. He was raised by his...
as the German prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
whom she befriends.
Plot
13 year old Patty Bergen lives in Jenkinsville, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Patty's family owns the local clothing and general supplies store, in which Patty occasionally works. Patty's abusive father and uncaring mother have little time for her, instead favoring her younger sister Sharon. However, Patty does have a friend in the family's black, middle-aged housekeeper, Ruth.
The U.S. government opens a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp for captured German soldiers in the town, and one day Patty meets one of the POWs: Anton Friedrich Reiker (one of the few prisoners able to speak English) when the POWs are allowed to buy supplies from her family's store. Soon after, Anton escapes from the POW camp and is on the run. He is about to escape on a train when Patty sees him and scuppers his plans. Rather than inform the authorities, Patty hides the young soldier in some abandoned rooms above the family's disused garage and brings him food. The two become close friends, Anton showing Patty a warmth and respect that she never had from her cold family.
Anton nearly gets exposed when he sees Patty's father beating her one day and nobly runs out of hiding to protect her, but she shouts for him to go back before he is seen. However, Ruth sees Anton. She does not approve but agrees to keep Patty's secret and helps by giving Anton food. Before long, the FBI begin conducting a thorough search of the town looking for Anton. When they call at the Bergens' home, Patty runs out to the garage to warn Anton that he must leave immediately or he will be caught. Anton flees from the garage after thanking Patty for her help and gives her a valuable ring that belonged to his grandfather. However, whilst trying to leave town that night, the FBI find Anton and he is shot dead trying to escape. Patty is virtually disowned by her father, who tells her that she is dead to him, and by all of the townsfolk, who view her as a traitor for aiding a German prisoner. The only person who still talks to her is Ruth, who has now been fired from her job as housekeeper, and who tries to comfort Patty in her grief. Ruth tells the townsfolk to leave Patty alone as only God has the right to stand in judgment of her.
Cast
- Kristy McNichol as Patty Bergen
- Bruce Davison as Anton Reiker
- Esther RolleEsther RolleEsther Rolle was an American actress. She was perhaps best known for her portrayal of Florida Evans on the CBS television sitcom Maude and its spin-off series Good Times.-Biography:...
as Ruth - Michael ConstantineMichael ConstantineMichael Constantine is a Greek American actor.He is probably now best known for his portrayal of Gus Portokalos, the Windex bottle-toting Greek father of Toula Portokalos , in the 2002 surprise hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding.Prior to that, he was well-known for his extensive TV work, especially...
as Harry Bergen - Barbara BarrieBarbara BarrieBarbara Barrie is an American actress and author of children's books.-Personal life:Barrie was born as Barbara Ann Berman in Chicago, Illinois, of Jewish heritage, the daughter of Frances Rose and Louis Berman. She was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from University of Texas,...
as Mrs. Bergen - James NobleJames Noble (actor)James Noble is an American actor best known for his portrayal of the slightly daffy Governor Eugene Gatling on the 1980s sitcom Benson. He began his career in soap operas, most notably, The Brighter Day; As the World Turns, The Doctors and A World Apart...
as Pierce - Robyn LivelyRobyn LivelyRobyn Elaine Lively is an American actress. Lively is best known for her role in the film Teen Witch, as well as for her roles in the TV shows Doogie Howser, M.D., Twin Peaks, and Saving Grace.-Early life:...
as Sharon Bergen - Margaret Hall as Sister Parker
- Anne HaneyAnne HaneyAnne Haney was an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles as social worker Mrs. Sellner in Mrs. Doubtfire, Greta the secretary in Liar Liar, and for her unique, low-octave voice.-Career:...
as Mrs. Benn - Sonny Shroyer as McFee
- Jane Hickey as Edna Louise
- Mary Nell Santacroce as Gussie Mae
- Roy Morris as Freddy
- William Ovell as Mayor Holderness
- J. Don FergusonJ. Don FergusonJ. Don Ferguson , sometimes credited as "Don Ferguson", was an American film actor, stage actor and television actor....
as Mr. Jackson
Awards
Summer Of My German Soldier was nominated for three Emmy awards in 1979, including Best Drama or Comedy Special, Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Special, and actress Esther RolleEsther Rolle
Esther Rolle was an American actress. She was perhaps best known for her portrayal of Florida Evans on the CBS television sitcom Maude and its spin-off series Good Times.-Biography:...
was nominated and won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Ruth.
Differences from the novel
The film differs from the original 1973 novel in various ways:- In the novel, Jenkinsville is set in Arkansas. In the film, the town is set in Georgia.
- At the end of the novel, Patty is sent to reform schoolReform schoolA reform school in the United States was a term used to define, often somewhat euphemistically, what was often essentially a penal institution for boys, generally teenagers.-History:...
for aiding an escaped POW. In the film, it is stated that she will be released into the custody of her parents following her trial.
- At the end of the novel, Patty plans to one day go and visit Anton's mother in Germany after the war is over (and she sets out to do just that in the novel's sequel). In the film, Anton tells Patty that his mother died when she was visiting Dresden.
- In the novel, Anton escapes from Jenkinsville and makes it to New York City where he is discovered and shot whilst trying to escape. In the film, Anton is shot before he even manages to leave Jenkinsville.
- The novel introduces more of Patty's family, including her grandparents. However only her parents and sister are seen in the film.