The Reader (2009)

Cast and Crew

Director

Producer

Screenwriter

Starring

• Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz
• Ralph Fiennes as Older Michael
• David Kross
• Alexandra Maria Lara
• Bruno Ganz
• Karoline Herfurth
• Linda Bassett
• Susanne Lothar
• Hannah Herzsprung

Movie Story

"The Reader" opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair.

Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn," and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken.

Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives. "The Reader" is a haunting story about truth and reconciliation, about how one generation comes to terms with the crimes of another.

Watch Video (3 videos)

Featurette

TV Spot

Movie Stills (6 photos)

Reader's Reviews

very touching

posted by parkview on Dec 21, 2008

It was a complete masterpiece! Kate deserves the Oscar for this role.

posted by Bran on Jan 01, 2009

perfect adaptation of teh novel with haunting accuracy...

posted by boo on Jan 28, 2009

Very emotional...

posted by Sergio on Feb 19, 2009

beautiful film does anyone know the song sung by the choir in the church scene? it's not on the soundtrack...

posted by mstella on Feb 22, 2009

very good movie Kate has done a beautiful work and deserves the oscer

posted by Nadeem on Feb 26, 2009

very good movie Kate has done a beautiful work and deserves the oscer

posted by Nadeem on Feb 26, 2009

very very good ,Kate deserves the oscer

posted by Ruby on Feb 26, 2009

The choir is the Philharmonischer Kinderchor from Dresden and the song is "Pueri Hebraeorum" from Palestrina....absolute beauty and so rich in symbols (there are many hidden symbols in this movie..)

posted by Eckhart on Mar 01, 2009

Absolutely AMAZING story. Beautiful.

posted by Al on Apr 15, 2009

Its so wonderful love story. Thanks Kate

posted by Alex on Jul 12, 2009

gJhBvv

posted by Wnxjpfky on Jul 14, 2009

excellent movie, from an excellent book.

posted by anna on Aug 27, 2009