The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Sophie and another girl approach their new classroom, joking about how they will behave among the boys.

Scene 67 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 26 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 67

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 64
Michael parks, gets out, and walks purposefully across the street.
Scene 65
At the courthouse, Michael dons his robe and hurries in with Gerhard and an assistant carrying documents.
Scene 66
Michael joins his client just before the judge enters; he sits and drifts into memory.
Scene 67
This scene

67INT. STAIRWAY. SCHOOL. DAY

1958. A sheriff’s posse of sixteen-year old GIRLS, come laughing, blushing towards the classroom. One of them is talking excitedly to the other.

SOPHIE

I’m just going to pretend I’ve been

here for years, I’m not going to

behave in any special way.

GIRL

You just wait. You wait and see.

They smile together and head for the classroom.