Spring Film Festival Presents: The Keeper

Description

The Keeper tells the extraordinary true love story between a young English woman and a German PoW, who together overcome prejudice, public hostility, and personal tragedy. While visiting a PoW camp near Manchester at the end of WWII, Margaret Friar, the daughter of the manager of the local football team, notices young German soldier Bert Trautmann. Her father is so taken by Bert's prowess as a goal-keeper that he gets him out of the camp to play for his local team. While Margaret and Bert's love blossoms, Bert is noticed by Manchester's City Football Club. Instead of going back to Germany, Bert secures the position of Goalkeeper at Man City, and becomes a footballing icon, all the while struggling for acceptance by those who dismiss him as the enemy, including the city’s many Jewish fans. The film is an excellent tribute to one of the most beloved "foreigners" ever to play the game in England as well as a memorable love story.