Summer of My German Soldier (TV film)

Infobox Film
name = Summer of My German Soldier


caption =
director = Michael Tuchner
producer = Linda Gottlieb
writer = Bette Greene (novel)
Jane-Howard Hammerstein
narrator =
starring = Kristy McNichol
Robyn Lively
Esther Rolle
Barbara Barrie
Bruce Davison
Michael Constantine
music = Stanley Myers
cinematography = Peter Sova
editing = Michael Taylor
distributor = National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
released = 1978
runtime = 100 min
country = flagicon|USA USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id = 47642
imdb_id = 0078341

"Summer Of My German Soldier" is a 1978 made-for-TV movie based on a novel of the same name written by Bette Greene.

The film is about a Jewish girl named Patty Bergen who lives in Jenkinsville, Arkansas during World War II. Patty's family own the local grocery and general supplies store, which Patty occasionally works in. Patty's cruel father and uncaring mother have little time for her, instead favouring her younger sister Sharon, however Patty does have a friend in the family's black, middle-aged housekeeper, Ruth.

The U.S. government open a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp for captured German soldiers in the town, and one day she meets one of the POWs: Frederick "Anton" Riker (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 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.

Eventually, Patty tells Ruth about Anton, who does not approve but agrees to keep her secret and helps by giving Anton food. 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. Eventually, Anton decides that he cannot stay in Patty's garage forever and tells her he must leave town. However, whilst trying to leave, the FBI find Anton and he is shot dead trying to escape. Patty is virtually disowned by her family 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 during her grief. Ruth tells the townsfolk to leave Patty alone as only God has the right to stand in judgement of her.

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 Rolle was nominated and won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Ruth.