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IMDbPro

Summer of My German Soldier

  • TV Movie
  • 1978
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
492
YOUR RATING
Bruce Davison and Kristy McNichol in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
DramaRomanceWar

A young American girl meets a German prisoner of war.A young American girl meets a German prisoner of war.A young American girl meets a German prisoner of war.

  • Director
    • Michael Tuchner
  • Writers
    • Bette Greene
    • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
  • Stars
    • Kristy McNichol
    • Bruce Davison
    • Esther Rolle
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    492
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Tuchner
    • Writers
      • Bette Greene
      • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
    • Stars
      • Kristy McNichol
      • Bruce Davison
      • Esther Rolle
    • 17User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos8

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    Top cast23

    Edit
    Kristy McNichol
    Kristy McNichol
    • Patty Bergen
    Bruce Davison
    Bruce Davison
    • Anton Reiker
    Esther Rolle
    Esther Rolle
    • Ruth
    Michael Constantine
    Michael Constantine
    • Harry Bergen
    Barbara Barrie
    Barbara Barrie
    • Mrs. Bergen
    Margaret Hall
    • Sister Parker
    Anne Haney
    Anne Haney
    • Mrs. Benn
    James Noble
    James Noble
    • Pierce
    Sonny Shroyer
    Sonny Shroyer
    • McFee
    Robyn Lively
    Robyn Lively
    • Sharon Bergen
    Jane Hickey
    • Edna Louise
    Mary Nell Santacroce
    • Gussie Mae
    Roy Morris
    • Freddy
    William Duell
    • Mayor Holderness
    J. Don Ferguson
    J. Don Ferguson
    • Mr. Jackson
    Charles B. Jenkins
    • Private
    • (as Charles Jenkins)
    Richard Mitchem
    • Gas Attendant
    G.W. Bailey
    G.W. Bailey
    • Corporal
    • Director
      • Michael Tuchner
    • Writers
      • Bette Greene
      • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.7492
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    Featured reviews

    9edwagreen

    Summer of My German Soldier-A Love Story to Remember

    This movie should have easily qualified as a film

    that best promotes human understanding among people.

    It may be rather annoying to even try to comprehend that a young Jewish southern girl could would give shelter to an escaped German prisoner of war.

    Kristy McNichol depicts an amazing portrait of the unhappy, young girl thirsting for acceptance and love. Michael Constantine gave a remarkable performance as her difficult father and Esther Rolle, as the maid, Ruth, gave a superb Emmy-winning performance as an understanding maid caught up with these events.

    Bruce Davison portrays the German who is supposedly not guilty of Nazi atrocities. This is how his role appears. He has escaped, but he joined the German army and he might have been a member of the Hitler youth movement.

    The action takes place in 1944 Georgia, in a rural area. The townspeople are filled with prejudice. Even the FBI inspector acts as if he would like to get something on the Jews. Notice the opposite interpretation that as McNichol is in bed, Davison is hunted down and ultimately shot. It is interesting to see that society views McNichol as a traitor for harboring an escaped prisoner of war. The film also deals with an extremely complex relationship that exists between father and daughter. Constantine's outburst at his daughter at the end is some acting. As the mother, Barbara Barrie, is given little to do. It was annoying that she is stereotyped as the typical Jewish mother with that loud shade of lipstick on her lips.

    Memorably done and well worth viewing.
    10niccy666

    A story of a town full of prejudice.

    This film is a study piece for my english class, but it's depth and meaning has amazed me. Since we're looking closely into all the facts and characters in this film, its and interesting tale of love, hate, war, and prejudice. Well Recommended!

    Story: A girl named well-off jewish Patty Bergen meets an escaped prisoner of war, she then hides him in her playhouse in her huge gardens, and as they get to know each other, they begin to see the others qualities, and they earn each others love. Patty's father despises her and treats her like dirt. Anton (the prisoner of war) almost blows his cover to protect her, but patty manages to stop him before he is seen by anyone.
    7moonspinner55

    Sentimental tale with an uncompromising ending...

    A touching story told with tenderness: awkward young Jewish girl in WWII America befriends an escaped German POW who is hiding out in her clubhouse. They discuss their lives and beliefs (he's anti-Hitler), she sneaks him food, he becomes her only friend and ally. All this reminded me of the much-better theatrical film "Whistle Down The Wind", where Hayley Mills befriends convict Alan Bates, but you certainly can't fault the direction here, which is smooth, or the performances, which are sterling. Mature in her pre-teen years, Kristy McNichol carries most of the picture and never hits a false note. Suddenly, when the prisoner is discovered (and Kristy is found out as well), the movie gets very tough. Her father, shocked and ashamed that his child would consort with "that Nazi", lays into her with a quiet fury I have seldom seen before (he tells her "You are dead to me," which must be devastating for a little girl to hear). The final scenes don't cop out; there are no big reunions, no hand-holding climaxes. The girl has to face the world, and in doing so learns a bitter lesson about neighbors, friends, and family. A startling film.
    10fries29

    What a GREAT MOVIE!!!!

    This movie was one of the best I have ever seen. Just the other day I was reminded of this movie by something on TV. It came back to me like a dam flooding over. I have never been more touched by a movie than by this one. After the movie was over I actually could not quit crying for about 2 hours. No movie has ever moved me that way before. I was 15 at the time of the movie and have not seen it since but am hoping I can find a copy to buy so that I can watch it whenever I want to. If someone suggests you see this movie with them, GO....you will not be disappointed.

    Peggy Fries
    10suessis

    An old favorite

    When I was in 7th grade(back in 1977), I was asked to read the novel that this was based on as part of my English class studies. I can remember being very touched by it and excited when a TV version came out a year later.

    Kristy McNichol was a popular TV actress when this film was produced and was already playing a daughter in a dysfunctional family on the hit TV series "Family". It was clear that she had the range and ability to pull off this part. I recall her as being a bit "stiff" at times, but over all she does a good job. She carries the movie well.

    Esther Rolle is fantastic as the domestic who appears to be the only one in the household that seems to truly care for her. Barbara Barrie as the somewhat frightened and slightly neurotic mother is also good, as is young Robin Lively (who would eventually appear as the black widow Lana Milford in "Twin Peaks")as the sweet younger sister who seems to be the focus of the parent's affection. Bruce Davidson is also appropriately appealing as the German soldier of the title

    The best performance, however, belongs to Michael Constantine. It is truly powerful and merited more recognition than it got at the time. The bitterness and coldness he expresses makes the scenes in which he appears difficult to watch, but makes it much easier to understand the quiet desperation of the rejected daughter. Constantine gives everything the right intensity and seems to have a good understanding of the underlying psychological motivations.

    The film differs from the book only in some small ways. It is wonderful and inspiring to watch, and I hope that it gets released again on to video or DVD.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Anne Haney's first TV performance.
    • Quotes

      Patty Bergen: [watching Anton leave] I love you, Anton. I love you now. I'll love you forever.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive
      (uncredited)

      Music by Harold Arlen

      Lyrics by Johnny Mercer

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 30, 1978 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mein deutscher Soldat
    • Filming locations
      • Crawfordville, Georgia, USA
    • Production company
      • Highgate Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 40m(100 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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