The Reader (2008)

dir: Stephen Daldry

It tells the story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who as a mid-teenager in 1958 had an affair with an older woman, Hanna Schmitz, who then disappeared only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial stemming from her actions as a guard at a Nazi concentration camp. Michael realizes that Hanna is keeping a personal secret she believes is worse than her Nazi past—a secret which, if revealed, could help her at the trial. (Wikipedia)

Cast:

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
Marie-Anne Fliegel Hanna's Neighbor
Hendrik Arnst Woodyard Worker
Rainer Sellien Teacher
Torsten Michaelis Sports Master
Moritz Grove Holger
Joachim Tomaschewsky Stamp Dealer
Barbara Philipp Waitress
Hans Hohlbein Clerk
Jürgen Tarrach Gerhard Bade
Kirsten Block Female Judge
Vijessna Ferkic Sophie
Vanessa Berthold Sophie's Friend
Benjamin Trinks Holger's Friend
Fritz Roth Tram Supervisor
Hannah Herzsprung Julia
Jacqueline Macaulay Heidelberg Lecturer
Volker Bruch Dieter Spenz
Bruno Ganz Professor Rohl
Karoline Herfurth Marthe
Max Mauff Rudolf
Ludwig Blochberger Seminar Group Student #1
Jonas Jägermeyr Seminar Group Student #2
Alexander Kasprik Seminar Group Student #3
Burghart Klaußner Judge
Sylvester Groth Prosecuting Council
Fabian Busch Hanna's Defense Council
Margarita Broich Co-Defendant #1
Marie Gruber Co-Defendant #2
Lena Lessing Co-Defendant #3
Merelina Kendall Co-Defendant #4
Hildegard Schroedter Co-Defendant #5
Lena Olin Rose Mather / Ilana Mather
Alexandra Maria Lara Young Ilana Mather
Martin Brambach Remand Prison Guard #1
Michael Schenk Remand Prison Guard #2
Ava Eusepi-Harris Young Julia
Nadja Engel Mail Room Guard #1
Anne-Kathrin Gummich Mail Room Guard #2
Carmen-Maja Antoni Prison Librarian
Petra Hartung Head Prison Guard
Linda Bassett Ms. Brenner
Beata Lehmann Ms. Brenner's Secretary
Heike Hanold Prison Guard
Bettina Scheuritzel Gate Guard
Robin Gooch Ilana's Maid

Featured Reviews

The Reader

8 stars

"The Reader" is about damage, betrayal of unimaginable breadth and depth, and the fantasy of undying love. David Kross plays Michael as a youth, Ralph Fiennes plays Michael as an adult, and Kate Winslet plays Hanna. NOTE: There are spoilers in this review. I've typed in an alert. If you haven't seen the movie, you may not want to read ...