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IMDbPro

Summer of My German Soldier

  • TV Movie
  • 19781978
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
432
YOUR RATING
Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • War
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.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
432
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Tuchner
  • Writers
    • Bette Greene(novel)
    • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
  • Stars
    • Kristy McNichol
    • Bruce Davison
    • Esther Rolle
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Tuchner
  • Writers
    • Bette Greene(novel)
    • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
  • Stars
    • Kristy McNichol
    • Bruce Davison
    • Esther Rolle
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins & 2 nominations total

    Photos8

    Kristy McNichol and Esther Rolle in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Kristy McNichol and Esther Rolle in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Bruce Davison and Kristy McNichol in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Kristy McNichol in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Bruce Davison and Kristy McNichol in Summer of My German Soldier (1978)
    Summer of My German Soldier (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kristy McNichol
    Kristy McNichol
    • Patty Bergenas Patty Bergen
    Bruce Davison
    Bruce Davison
    • Anton Reikeras Anton Reiker
    Esther Rolle
    Esther Rolle
    • Ruthas Ruth
    Michael Constantine
    Michael Constantine
    • Harry Bergenas Harry Bergen
    Barbara Barrie
    Barbara Barrie
    • Mrs. Bergenas Mrs. Bergen
    James Noble
    James Noble
    • Pierceas Pierce
    Robyn Lively
    Robyn Lively
    • Sharon Bergenas Sharon Bergen
    Margaret Hall
    • Sister Parkeras Sister Parker
    Anne Haney
    Anne Haney
    • Mrs. Bennas Mrs. Benn
    Sonny Shroyer
    Sonny Shroyer
    • McFeeas McFee
    Jane Hickey
    • Edna Louiseas Edna Louise
    Mary Nell Santacroce
    • Gussie Maeas Gussie Mae
    Roy Morris
    • Freddyas Freddy
    William Ovell
    • Mayor Holdernessas Mayor Holderness
    J. Don Ferguson
    J. Don Ferguson
    • Mr. Jacksonas Mr. Jackson
    Charles B. Jenkins
    • Privateas Private
    Richard Mitchem
    • Gas station attendantas Gas station attendant
    G.W. Bailey
    G.W. Bailey
    • Corporalas Corporal
    • Director
      • Michael Tuchner
    • Writers
      • Bette Greene(novel) (screenwriter)
      • Jane-Howard Hammerstein
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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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

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•16
    1
    • moonspinner55
    • Feb 10, 2001

    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

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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