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The Reader (2008)

R 124 min  -  Drama | Romance  -   30 January 2009 (USA)
7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 89,048 users   Metascore: 58/100 
Reviews: 318 user | 281 critic | 38 from Metacritic.com

Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.

Director:

Stephen Daldry

Writers:

David Hare (screenplay), Bernhard Schlink (book)
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The Reader -- Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, a law student re-encounters his former lover (Winslet) as she testifies in a war-crimes trial. The Reader -- Actor David Kross gives his thoughts about the importance of learning about the holocaust for young people at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival. The Reader -- Press conference with the cast of The Reader during the 2009 Berlin Film Festival.
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ralph Fiennes ...
Jeanette Hain ...
David Kross ...
Kate Winslet ...
Susanne Lothar Susanne Lothar ...
Alissa Wilms Alissa Wilms ...
Florian Bartholomäi Florian Bartholomäi ...
Friederike Becht Friederike Becht ...
Matthias Habich Matthias Habich ...
Frieder Venus Frieder Venus ...
Doctor
Marie-Anne Fliegel Marie-Anne Fliegel ...
Hanna's Neighbour (as Marie Anne Fliegel)
Hendrik Arnst Hendrik Arnst ...
Woodyard Worker
Rainer Sellien Rainer Sellien ...
Teacher
Torsten Michaelis Torsten Michaelis ...
Sports Master
Moritz Grove Moritz Grove ...
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Storyline

THE READER opens in post-war 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 story about truth and reconciliation... Written by The Weinstein Company  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Law | Trial | Law Student | War Crime | Student  | See more »

Taglines:

How far would you go to protect a secret? See more »

Genres:

Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some scenes of sexuality and nudity (Approved No. 44922) See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | German | Greek | Latin

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Der Vorleser See more »

Filming Locations:

Berlin, Germany See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$32,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$168,051 (USA) (14 December 2008) (8 Screens)

Gross:

$34,194,407 (USA) (13 May 2009)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS  | Dolby Digital  | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

To avoid legal consequences, the crew delayed the filming of sexually explicit scenes until after actor David Kross' 18th birthday on July 4 2008. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Michael visits Hanna in prison, when they're sitting at the table talking, Hanna's eye color is a milky blue for a while, and then it shows Michael, then it goes back to a Hanna with brown eyes. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Brigitte: You didn't wake me.
Michael Berg: You were sleeping.
Brigitte: You let me sleep because you can't bear to have breakfast with me.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There are no opening credits, other than the studio logo. See more »


Soundtracks

"Musik liegt in der Luft"
Written by Heinz Gietz, Kurt Feltz
Performed by Caterina Valente
Courtesy of M.A.T. Musice Theme Licensing Ltd. See more »