The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Hanna condemns the sexual passage Michael reads from Lady Chatterley’s Lover, then tells him to continue.

Scene 51 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Act oneAct two

Begins 20 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 51

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 48
While Hanna bakes bread, Michael reads her the Odyssey and describes it as a journey.
Scene 49
Michael reads a Shakespeare sonnet to Hanna in the bath; she pulls him in with her.
Scene 50
Michael acts out Huckleberry Finn while Hanna sews; they laugh together.
Scene 51
This scene

51INT. HANNA’S APARTMENT. DAY

MICHAEL is at the bottom of the bed. HANNA is lying inside. He is reading Lady Chatterley’s Lover.

MICHAEL

“Lady Chatterley felt his naked

flesh against her as he came into

her. For a moment he was still

inside her...

HANNA

This is disgusting. Where did you

get this?

MICHAEL

I borrowed it from someone at

school.

HANNA

You should be ashamed. Go on.