MovieChat Forums > Summer of My German Soldier (1978) Discussion > Making SOMGS into a motion picture

Making SOMGS into a motion picture

posted 18 years ago by rack_focus
3 replies | jump to latest

I have loved this book since I was in fifth grade. I have read it at least once every year, and I cry every single time I read it.
Last night, after reading it from cover to cover in a span of about two hours (my roommate was not pleased), I thought that it would make an excellent movie. I have never seen the made for tv movie, but I figured there had to have been SOMETHING made about this book. My spirit rose a bit when I saw it was not only a made for tv movie, but it is also 20 odd years old.

So what do you think, those who have seen the movie? Would a motion picture be good- one well written of course- or just come off as one more chessy remake?

And just for fun, who would you like to see cast?

(BTW I am a college student studying to be a filmmaker)

Mocking Greenly Productions

[–] HalfBloodPrincess1967 17 years ago

I haven't seen this or read the book in a REALLY long time. I would like to see a motion picture remake of this. I would cast Dakota Fanning as Patty, not sure about anyone else though. Maybe Alfre Woodard or S. Epatha Merkerson for Ruth the housekeeper.

Spiders! They want me to tapdance! I don't wanna tapdance!

[–] abbynormal9889 17 years ago

Making Summer of My German Soldier into a motion picture (a good one, of course) would be the best Love Story of the century! Who can resist a little Jewess falling in love with a German soldier? I sure can't! I'd go see that movie in a heartbeat! :)
I just finished reading the book, and I was very inspired by it as well. I was actually planning on writing my own Historical Fantasy novel somewhat based on this storyline (with the forbidden love and whatnot).

A motion picture would definitely inspire people all over the world.

Casting? I'd have to say:

Patty Bergen -- Maya Ritter
Anton Reiker -- Ewan McGregor
Ruth -- Gloria Foster
Harry Bergen -- Philip Seymour Hoffman
Mrs. Bergen -- Uma Thurman

Those are the actors/actresses I'd pick. I don't want to try to find someone for every character in SOMGS... that would get me a little carried away :-P
You'd have to kinda "beat down" McGregor, Hoffman and Thurman (especially McGregor) to get them into their characters, especially since this movie is based on one of the most miserable times of the century.

[–] jezzdogg 16 years ago

I saw the TV movie as a teenager when it premiered. I remember being struck with a numbing fear and depression at the fate of Kristy McNichol, thinking it was the most horrible punishment anyone could endure.

I don't know who I'd cast, but they'd have to be able to perform the agony of that scene to perfection, or remaking this movie would be a travesty.