The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael climbs to Hanna’s apartment and finds her ironing; she invites him inside.

Scene 14 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Hanna

Act oneAct two

Begins 5 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 14

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.
Scene 7
Hanna finds and comforts Michael while he is sick, creating their first connection.
Just before
Scene 11
A doctor diagnoses Michael with scarlet fever and orders months of isolation; his mother keeps his sister away.
Scene 12
Recovering in spring 1959, Michael tells Carla that a woman helped him and asks if she knows her address.
Scene 13
Michael returns with flowers but cannot identify Hanna’s entry among numbered bells; workmen emerge from the yard.
Scene 14
This scene

14INT. STAIRS & LANDING. BANHOFSTRASSE. DAY

MICHAEL comes up the stairwell, once grand, now in decay - green linoleum and faded red paint. The sound of a sentimental song at the open door of a small apartment. Inside, HANNA is ironing in a sleeveless smock, blue with red flowers. Her hair is fastened in a clip. She looks at him a moment.

HANNA

Come in.