The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Hanna opens the book, stops Michael’s tape, then uses a pencil to sound out letters from the title.

Scene 164 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Michael’S Voice

Act oneAct two

Begins 1:07 into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 164

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.
Scenes 106–137
Testimony reveals Hanna’s role; Michael’s discovery of her illiteracy cannot prevent her conviction.
Scene 155
Michael records himself reading the Odyssey aloud onto tape.
Just before
Scene 161
Hanna listens to Michael’s recording of Chekhov’s “The Lady with the Little Dog.”
Scene 162
During an exercise walk, Hanna stops as an idea occurs to her.
Scene 163
Hanna asks the prison librarian for Chekhov’s story and waits among the shelves, newly alert to books.
Scene 164
This scene

164INT. CELL. DAY

HANNA is back in the cell. She puts down a new parcel and a book. She puts the parcel to one side, then opens the book. She then winds back the tape which is already in the recorder.

MICHAEL’S VOICE

The Lady with the Little Dog, a

story by Anton Chekhov. The talk

was...

She turns off the tape. She runs her finger along the title ‘The Lady with the Little Dog’. She gets down a small decorated metal tin, and takes a pencil from it. She starts making the sounds. ‘The’, ‘the’, ‘the’... L, L, L, etc.