Did Any Of You Read The Book???
I Did And I Think It Was 10 Times Better then the movie.
share[deleted]
MovieChat Forums > Summer of My German Soldier (1978) Discussion > Did Any Of You Read The Book???
Yes I did, I was suprised at how closely the movie followed the book, of course, some of the parts were left out that could have bogged down a movie and they were of no consequence. I don't think it missed the main point, a teenage girl who is no longer the apple of her parent's eye since she grows up and makes decisions about what she wants out of life.... she rejected what her parents told her was ideal and she chose to love someone who is an enemy of her people to spite the years of her cold parents upbringing.
shareI saw this movie but I missed the beginning and when Patty met Anton. How did they meet exactly? Like what was said and what were their reactions to each other?
"Ignore the ignorance."
I haven't had a chance to see this movie, but I read the book, and was weeping all the way from the point where they show Patty the shirt until the very end. So sad!! And this was right around the time when the Dixie Chicks' "Traveling Soldier" song came out, so every time I heard it, I thought about this book.
shareYes, I read the book and saw the movie. I must say I enjoyed the movie's every last bit. As always, the book was most definately better, however the movie's interpretation of the book wasn't half bad. This book was so touching-- I usually like books based on the Holocaust or something around that-- and this was one of the best books I have ever read on that topic. After reading this, I became to know and understand both sides.. and that the German's were people too.
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn.. is to love.. and be loved in return"
Well books are typically better than the films (Cujo, Pet Semetary and Christine immediately come to mind). I remember seeing this film on tv when I was in junior high and fell in love with Bruce Davison. After reading the book, I was a bit sad that the film had condensed so much. But I'll always remember when I was a dorky pre-teen swooning over Davison's Anton. A great film.
share[deleted]
I read the book after I saw the film. I thought the romance was more poignant in the book than in the movie, it was rather touching. Interestingly, "The History Detectives" on PBS is investigating the history of German Nazi POW camps in Hearne, Texas, and I immediately thought of this movie.
share[deleted]
yeah!
i loved it!
-Stay gold -
I just finished reading the book, and I was truly inspired by it. So much that I'm considering writing my own Historical Fantasy novel. I've always been interested in the Holocaust and German soldiers and the Nazis because I've always wanted to know THEIR side of the story, and this book gives it. Not every German is bad. Most are brainwashed, some are unaffected, and some fight it, like Anton did.
When I read this story, I think I fell in love with Anton as well (move over Patty, he's mine!). Everytime they mentioned his name in the book, I'd always get excited about it. I'd always want to read about Patty and Anton (especially Anton).
I felt kind of bad when I read the book though. I felt like they didn't focus on Anton and Patty's time together enough... like, they didn't write too much about it, and they made the meetings somewhat short, like, before changing the scene or the next chapter popped up. The longest time you read about them is the chapter where Anton and Patty are talking right before Anton leaves. That may be a full chapter, but I didn't think it was enough.
It was also kinda heartbreaking when Anton left (I cried when I read that chapter). I was a little upset, also, that there was a significant amount of the book left after Anton went away. It made me wonder if he was ever coming back, but that theory kinda blew out of the window (I think you know what scene I'm talking about!). Yeah, I cried there too...
Anton! I wish you were REAL!! :(
I read the book as well as the next chapter which was A morning is a Long Time Coming.
I was also an extra in Summer of My German Soldier as well as Bruce Davidsons stand in. It was filmed in Crawfordville Ga and Madison Ga.
I read both books and felt that the sequel was far inferior to the original. I don't understand why in "Summer" Patty's sister Sharon was a small child (age 5 or 6) and in "Morning" she was suddenly a vain, self-absorbed teenager. "Morning" was supposed to take place just 5 years later when Patty was 18 and graduated from high school.
shareThis book is taught in my school system. Fantastic book and a great film version. If any high school teachers out there are reading this please get a copy of the book and encourage your school system to purchase a set so it can be taught in your building. A truly terrific book.
share