The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

In 1995, Michael reopens his old notebook, sees poems and reading lists, then puts it away.

Scene 61 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · First scene of act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 24 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 61

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 58
At a church, Michael tries to show Hanna their route; she refuses, and they hear a choir inside.
Scene 59
Hanna is absorbed by a family choir singing Bach in the church while Michael watches her.
Scene 60
Hanna wades in the river as Michael writes a poem about her; she asks to hear it, but he says it is unfinished.
Scene 61
This scene

61INT. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT. BERLIN. DAY

1995. MICHAEL, now 51, is standing by his desk. He opens a drawer. He takes out the recognizable notebook. He opens its yellowing pages and looks at the poetry. Then flips the pages, to some handwritten lists - the words ‘Odyssey’, ‘Schnitzler’, ‘Chekhov’, ‘Zweig’ with numbers beside them. MICHAEL flaps it shut, puts it back and turns to go out.