The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

Outside Mannheim town hall, Michael asks why police are present; Rohl says authorities expect demonstrators for and against.

Scene 96 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Michael
Rohl

Act oneAct two

Begins 36 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 96

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 93
At law school in 1966, Rohl welcomes a small seminar on the Third Reich legal system; Marthe corrects his greeting to include women.
Scene 94
Marthe finds Michael working in his room, asks whether he is serious about working, then leaves after they smile at each other.
Scene 95
The seminar group rides a train together; Michael and Marthe exchange smiles.
Scene 96
This scene

96EXT. TOWN HALL. MANNHEIM. DAY

The STUDENTS are having a cigarette in front of the huge building. Two black vans with barred windows come by, carrying prisoners. The first one veers close to MICHAEL on the pavement, then disappears into the inner courtyard. ROHL smiles at MICHAEL.

MICHAEL

Why all the police?

ROHL

They’re worried about

demonstrators.

MICHAEL

For or against?

ROHL

Both.