The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Ilana identifies Hanna and other guards, describing Hanna’s favored readers and asking whether selecting vulnerable women for death was kindness.

Scene 106 of 196 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act two

Prosecutor
Ilana
Judge

Act oneAct two

Begins 45 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 106

As a law student, Michael sees Hanna, his former lover, on trial for war crimes and must face the secret that shaped their teenage relationship.

Scenes 1–6
In 1995, Michael prepares breakfast for Brigitte, then is alone in his apartment and looks out the window.
Scenes 7–24
The sick schoolboy Michael accepts Hanna’s help and returns to her.
Scenes 25–35
Michael enters an intimate relationship with Hanna, organized around his reading to her.
Scenes 36–96
Michael alternates between time with Hanna and school; their reading ritual and cycling trip continue while he also spends time with friends.
Scenes 97–104
At the trial, Michael finds Hanna among the defendants and hears her admit involvement in selections.
Just before
Scene 103
Rohl challenges students’ assumptions about justice and inherited guilt, arguing the law is narrow; Michael says he is no longer sure.
Scene 104
Hanna admits joining the monthly prisoner selections and says new arrivals meant the guards had to move others on because there was not room.
Scene 105
Michael waits in the lobby as a clerk calls Ms. Mather into court.
Scene 106
This scene

106INT. LOBBY & COURTROOM. DAY

MICHAEL is alone in the now-deserted lobby, unwilling to go back. Then he goes to the door. He opens it a little. The sound of the trial. He opens the door fully. MICHAEL can see that it is ILANA who is testifying. The court is conspicuously packed. Large black-and-white photographs of the labour camp now dominate the room. MICHAEL comes quietly into the back of the room as the trial goes on.

MICHAEL has pushed past a couple of people to sit down near ROSE who is sitting in the body of the court. He looks across to the DEFENDANTS. RITA BECKHART, a large older woman, is one of a couple who isn’t bothering to listen.

PROSECUTOR

In your book you describe the

process of selection...

ILANA

Yes. You were made to work and

then, when you were no longer any

use to them, then they sent you

back to Auschwitz to be killed.

PROSECUTOR

Are there people here today who

made that selection?

ILANA

Yes.

PROSECUTOR

I need you to identify them. Can

you please point them out?

ILANA points with her finger at the DEFENDANTS.

ILANA

Her. And her. And her. And her. And

her. And her.

The last finger has been to HANNA. MICHAEL watches, but HANNA does not react.

ILANA

Each of the guards would choose a

certain number of women. Hanna

Schmitz chose differently.

JUDGE

In what way differently?

ILANA

She had favourites. Girls, mostly

young. We all remarked on it, she

gave them food and places to sleep.