The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

The court convicts Hanna of 300 murders and sentences her to life; Michael cries while she looks toward the gallery.

Scene 137 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 59 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 137

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.
Scene 115
Michael recognizes Hanna cannot read while she faces scrutiny over the report.
Just before
Scene 134
A guard escorts Hanna through the prison.
Scene 135
The seminar group enters the courthouse, but Michael hangs back outside to watch the prison vans arrive.
Scene 136
Hanna is led into court as people shout insults; she walks to her place.
Scene 137
This scene

137INT. COURTROOM. DAY

Everyone rises as the JUDGES come in to take their places. HANNA’s face is resigned, without expression. The JUDGES sit. The whole court goes quiet.

JUDGE

The court finds guilty the

defendants Rita Beckhart, Karolina

Steinhof, Regina Kreutz, Angela

Zieber, Andrea Luhmann jointly

aiding and abetting murder in three

hundred cases. The court finds the

defendant Hanna Schmitz guilty of

murder in three hundred cases.

There are tears in MICHAEL’s eyes as he watches.

JUDGE

The court sentences the accused as

follows. Rita Beckhart, Karolina

Steinhof, Regina Kreutz, Angela

Zieber, and Andrea Luhmann, you

will each serve a total sentence in

prison of four years and three

months.

ROHL, MARTHE, DIETER and the students are looking down on the sentencing. MICHAEL is crying.

JUDGE

Hanna Schmitz, in view of your own

admissions and your special role,

you are in a different category.

The court sentences the accused

Schmitz to imprisonment for life.

HANNA is impassive, not reacting. Then she turns and looks up to the gallery.