DVD 124 mins IMDB
The Reader
Weinstein Company (2008)
In Collection
#82

Seen It:
Yes
Thriller, Romance, History
USA  /  English

Ralph Fiennes Michael Berg
Jeanette Hain Brigitte
David Kross Young Michael Berg
Kate Winslet Hanna Schmitz
Susanne Lothar Carla Berg
Alissa Wilms Emily Berg
Florian Bartholomäi Thomas Berg
Friederike Becht Angela Berg
Matthias Habich Peter Berg
Frieder Venus Doctor

Director Stephen Daldry
Producer Sydney Pollack; Anthony Minghella
Writer David Hare; Bernhard Schlink
Cinematography Chris Menges
Musician Nico Muhly

In post-war Germany, 16-year old Michael Berg (David Kross) has an affair with a beautiful tram conductor twice his age, Hanna Schmitz (Kate Winslet), When Michael visits Hanna, they bathe and make love, after which he reads to her from literature. The affair continues for the summer. In the 1960s, Berg is a law student who witnesses a Nuremberg-style trial of 3 women who were guards at one of the concentration camps. While transporting women and children prisoners, almost all die in a fire. Hanna, who was the head guard, is also on trial and she is convicted for giving orders to not unlock the doors of the church where the prisoners stayed. Michael knows something that could help Hanna's case, but his evidence is never presented. During 20 years of imprisonment, Michael sends Hanna tape recordings of him reading great books, without identifying himself.

Edition Details
Region Region 1
No. of Disks/Tapes 1