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.
Patty Bergen is a teenager in a Jewish family living in the American South during World War II. Patty feels like an outcast even in her own family and is unable to understand why her father can't seem to love her. Her town eventually becomes host to a prisoner of war camp. A young german soldier escapes from this camp, and Patty finds him hiding in her secret places in the woods outside of town. After getting to know him she ends up harboring him from his captors, and, in the way of many adolescents, falls in love with him. Patty knows what she is risking to help him, but in his company she feels important, special, and respected as she has never been. In the end, his regard lifts her self-esteem and helps her to face the heartbreaking events to come. Written by C.D.
