The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Michael sees Hanna conducting the tram and smiles; she makes no acknowledgement and turns away, leaving him bewildered.

Scene 39 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct two

Begins 16 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 39

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.
Just before
Scene 36
In the bath, Hanna praises Michael’s reading; he admits he is surprised to be good at anything.
Scene 37
Michael plays handball confidently with Holger and Rudolf; the game ends at the whistle.
Scene 38
An empty tram crosses the eerie dawn streets as Michael walks alongside and boards it.
Scene 39
This scene

39INT. TRAM. DAWN

MICHAEL is sitting in the second carriage. He looks up. The CONDUCTRESS is HANNA. At first, she does not notice him. MICHAEL watches, waiting to be noticed. She turns round and looks at him. He smiles in greeting but she makes no acknowledgement at all. She turns away. He frowns, bewildered.