--- product_id: 15357751 title: "The Reader" price: "EC$57" currency: XCD in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://saintkitts.desertcart.com/products/15357751-the-reader store_origin: KN region: Saint Kitts and Nevis --- # The Reader **Price:** EC$57 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Reader - **How much does it cost?** EC$57 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [saintkitts.desertcart.com](https://saintkitts.desertcart.com/products/15357751-the-reader) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Set in post war Germany. Michael Berg is 15 when he begins a long, obsessive affair with Hanna, an enigmatic older woman. He never learns very much about her, and when she disappears one day, he expects never to see her again. But to his horror he discovers that she is a defendant in a Nazi war crimes trial and it soon becomes clear that she is guilty of an unspeakable crime. Review: Thought-provoking and engaging! - I find the best way to go into a film is to know as little about it as possible. I didn't know a thing about 'The Reader' before buying it on desertcart other than it starred Kate Winslet (who won an oscar) and Ralph Fiennes and Winslet plays yet another character who spends a good portion of a film wearing absolutely nothing and having sex. Sounded like a winning purchase ('Little Children' was a great movie after all). Turns out 'The Reader' is one of the best films I've seen in the last few years. It has a richly layered plot of human drama that hits on the generational attitudes of post-WWII Germany, the Holocaust, and brings up questions of guilt and blame. 'The Reader' follows the character Michael Berg, a lawyer in Berlin who's distant with other people, particularly the women in his life. We learn through extended flash-backs that Michael at age 15 secretly carried on an affair with an older woman named Hanna. Along with sexual confrontations Michael and Hanna connect through stories as Hanna asks Michael to read books to her before (and sometimes during and after) their love-making. After the affair ends we follow Michael through college to present day (or 1995 in the movie's terms) and we see how his relationship with Hanna has effected the rest of his life, especially after witnessing a high-profile trial involving the Holocaust with Hanna as a defendant! What makes 'The Reader' work so well for me is that it doesn't provide any easy answers or solutions for it's characters. Michael is constantly confused and trying to understand, not just the actions of other characters in the film but his own emotions as well. Every decision he makes has a lasting impact on his life and this is perfectly realised in the story. As much as I love this film I do have two major complaints. No doubt anyone who's read Bernhard Schlink's book (also titled 'The Reader' on which this movie is based) knows a certain twist involving Hanna's character in the middle of the film. While this reveal is made obvious early on it's still treated as a major plot-twist through Michael's eyes and the montage really wasn't necessary. The other element that didn't strike true is the handling of the impact of the Holocaust. Despite being a major theme, the Holocaust is very much under-played throughout the movie and for the most part this is successful (and I loved how the uncomfortable confrontation between Ralph Fiennes and Lina Olin played out in the end). It was however very hard to get a grasp on the true horror of Hanna's actions, despite some emotional character reactions. Even Michael's walk through an abandond concentration camp didn't give weight to the heavy emotions the character must've been feeling. The audience is still treated as an outsider. Lots of praise for 'The Reader' comes from the performances of it's main three actors. Kate Winslet has always been a high-profile actress and in my opinion has never been better portraying Hanna from her mid-thirties to elderly age towards the end of the story. Ralph Fiennes is equally good playing a man who's been haunted his entire life by his past and the decisions he's made. Screen legend Bruno Ganz is given a great role as Michael's Law-teacher and he's excellent! Perhaps the best performance of the film, though is by unknown actor David Kross who plays Michael from age 15 to 18 (where most of the film takes place). Watching him change from naive boy to young adult coming to terms with some harsh realizations really commands your attention. Despite some complaints, 'The Reader' gripped me and held my interest from beginning to end. I was absolutely mesmerized by this film and I very much recommend it to anyone who likes good human-drama as well as movies about Germany's attitudes towards the Holocaust. (For like-movies check out: Europa Europa, The Tin Drum, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and The Pianist.) Review: Disturbing, heartbreaking, and unforgettable - The Reader is a provocative and heartbreaking film which tells the tale of a May-September affair between Hanna (Kate Winslet) and 15 year-old Michael (David Kross) in the decade after WWII. Beyond that, however, I believe the film is an allegory of the relationship between those Germans who were responsible for the Holocaust and those loved ones who came after them, and were forced to confront the horrible truths at a later time. It deals with the guilt, the anger, and the conflicting emotions therein. The story is heartbreaking because it reminds us that we are all struggling with guilt, emotions, and the legacy we have created for ourselves by our actions or inactions. It neither asks the viewer to forgive nor condemn. It merely shows us how similar we are to these people by putting their humanity in our faces. The movie is provocative for both the many nude/sex scenes between Michael and Hanna, and because it purposefully makes it a bit harder to blame or label, not only those responsible for the Holocaust, but all of the people in our history who have a connection between an evil deed and tacit complicity, regardless of the severity. There is a powerful moment during the trial when a confused Hanna is questioned about her responsibilities as a guard and she innocently asks one of the judges, "What would you do?" None of the judges has an answer. Throughout all of history's atrocities, there are always those who were simply "doing their job." It's so easy to imagine being the heroic person who would stand up a make a difference, but the fact is, few possess that much courage and conviction. Many recoil at the sexual perversity, but I think the intention was to make the audience uncomfortable. Not only did Hanna's seduction help create a person who would end up sharing her emotional void, but so too did the generation responsible for the Nazi atrocities force their shame onto the generation that followed them. The beauty of The Reader for me was in how these characters can speak for generations; the passion, the heartbreak, the guilt, the shame, the anger, and the eventual cold-blooded detachment. The acting is stellar throughout, with special props going to Kate Winslet and David Kross for their fearless portrayals and for breathing such believability into their characters. To engender empathy for people who run the gamut from despicable to emotionally empty is a nod to their acting skill. To compel me to watch the drama of such unsavory individuals is a testament to the power of this movie. The Reader might disturb you, anger you, disgust you, or even confuse you. Certainly one of the principal responsibilities for art is to provoke such reactions. P.S. I don't usually include info about the dvd extras, but since I watched them this afternoon, I thought I'd add a sentence or five. There are about a handful or so, focusing on the set design with a German woman who had left her native country during the post WWII period to get away from the drama, a lengthy bit with Kate Winslet getting into her older make-up, an interview with Kross and the director, and a bit with the music director. There are also quite a few deleted scenes that must've made it pretty far as they seem like a finished product, if you know what I mean. They are illuminating and at least one in particular should've been included as it not only bridges two scenes that have little continuity, but also features a very poignant conversation between Michael and an older truck driver. It's kind of chilling and should have been in the movie. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Contributor | Alexandra Maria Lara, Burghart Klaußner, Chris Menges, Claire Simpson, David Kross, Hannah Herzsprung, Karoline Herfurth, Kate Winslet, Matthias Habich, Nico Muhly, Ralph Fiennes, Roger Deakins, Stephen Daldry, Susanne Lothar, Vijnessa Ferkic, Volker Bruch Contributor Alexandra Maria Lara, Burghart Klaußner, Chris Menges, Claire Simpson, David Kross, Hannah Herzsprung, Karoline Herfurth, Kate Winslet, Matthias Habich, Nico Muhly, Ralph Fiennes, Roger Deakins, Stephen Daldry, Susanne Lothar, Vijnessa Ferkic, Volker Bruch See more | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,501 Reviews | | Format | Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen | | Genre | Drama | | Language | English | | Runtime | 2 hours and 4 minutes | ## Product Details - **Genre:** Drama - **Format:** Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen - **Contributor:** Alexandra Maria Lara, Burghart Klaußner, Chris Menges, Claire Simpson, David Kross, Hannah Herzsprung, Karoline Herfurth, Kate Winslet, Matthias Habich, Nico Muhly, Ralph Fiennes, Roger Deakins, Stephen Daldry, Susanne Lothar, Vijnessa Ferkic, Volker Bruch - **Language:** English - **Runtime:** 2 hours and 4 minutes ## Images ![The Reader - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iKKLG1HyL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thought-provoking and engaging! *by J***N on May 8, 2011* I find the best way to go into a film is to know as little about it as possible. I didn't know a thing about 'The Reader' before buying it on Amazon other than it starred Kate Winslet (who won an oscar) and Ralph Fiennes and Winslet plays yet another character who spends a good portion of a film wearing absolutely nothing and having sex. Sounded like a winning purchase ('Little Children' was a great movie after all). Turns out 'The Reader' is one of the best films I've seen in the last few years. It has a richly layered plot of human drama that hits on the generational attitudes of post-WWII Germany, the Holocaust, and brings up questions of guilt and blame. 'The Reader' follows the character Michael Berg, a lawyer in Berlin who's distant with other people, particularly the women in his life. We learn through extended flash-backs that Michael at age 15 secretly carried on an affair with an older woman named Hanna. Along with sexual confrontations Michael and Hanna connect through stories as Hanna asks Michael to read books to her before (and sometimes during and after) their love-making. After the affair ends we follow Michael through college to present day (or 1995 in the movie's terms) and we see how his relationship with Hanna has effected the rest of his life, especially after witnessing a high-profile trial involving the Holocaust with Hanna as a defendant! What makes 'The Reader' work so well for me is that it doesn't provide any easy answers or solutions for it's characters. Michael is constantly confused and trying to understand, not just the actions of other characters in the film but his own emotions as well. Every decision he makes has a lasting impact on his life and this is perfectly realised in the story. As much as I love this film I do have two major complaints. No doubt anyone who's read Bernhard Schlink's book (also titled 'The Reader' on which this movie is based) knows a certain twist involving Hanna's character in the middle of the film. While this reveal is made obvious early on it's still treated as a major plot-twist through Michael's eyes and the montage really wasn't necessary. The other element that didn't strike true is the handling of the impact of the Holocaust. Despite being a major theme, the Holocaust is very much under-played throughout the movie and for the most part this is successful (and I loved how the uncomfortable confrontation between Ralph Fiennes and Lina Olin played out in the end). It was however very hard to get a grasp on the true horror of Hanna's actions, despite some emotional character reactions. Even Michael's walk through an abandond concentration camp didn't give weight to the heavy emotions the character must've been feeling. The audience is still treated as an outsider. Lots of praise for 'The Reader' comes from the performances of it's main three actors. Kate Winslet has always been a high-profile actress and in my opinion has never been better portraying Hanna from her mid-thirties to elderly age towards the end of the story. Ralph Fiennes is equally good playing a man who's been haunted his entire life by his past and the decisions he's made. Screen legend Bruno Ganz is given a great role as Michael's Law-teacher and he's excellent! Perhaps the best performance of the film, though is by unknown actor David Kross who plays Michael from age 15 to 18 (where most of the film takes place). Watching him change from naive boy to young adult coming to terms with some harsh realizations really commands your attention. Despite some complaints, 'The Reader' gripped me and held my interest from beginning to end. I was absolutely mesmerized by this film and I very much recommend it to anyone who likes good human-drama as well as movies about Germany's attitudes towards the Holocaust. (For like-movies check out: Europa Europa, The Tin Drum, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and The Pianist.) ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Disturbing, heartbreaking, and unforgettable *by S***E on June 11, 2013* The Reader is a provocative and heartbreaking film which tells the tale of a May-September affair between Hanna (Kate Winslet) and 15 year-old Michael (David Kross) in the decade after WWII. Beyond that, however, I believe the film is an allegory of the relationship between those Germans who were responsible for the Holocaust and those loved ones who came after them, and were forced to confront the horrible truths at a later time. It deals with the guilt, the anger, and the conflicting emotions therein. The story is heartbreaking because it reminds us that we are all struggling with guilt, emotions, and the legacy we have created for ourselves by our actions or inactions. It neither asks the viewer to forgive nor condemn. It merely shows us how similar we are to these people by putting their humanity in our faces. The movie is provocative for both the many nude/sex scenes between Michael and Hanna, and because it purposefully makes it a bit harder to blame or label, not only those responsible for the Holocaust, but all of the people in our history who have a connection between an evil deed and tacit complicity, regardless of the severity. There is a powerful moment during the trial when a confused Hanna is questioned about her responsibilities as a guard and she innocently asks one of the judges, "What would you do?" None of the judges has an answer. Throughout all of history's atrocities, there are always those who were simply "doing their job." It's so easy to imagine being the heroic person who would stand up a make a difference, but the fact is, few possess that much courage and conviction. Many recoil at the sexual perversity, but I think the intention was to make the audience uncomfortable. Not only did Hanna's seduction help create a person who would end up sharing her emotional void, but so too did the generation responsible for the Nazi atrocities force their shame onto the generation that followed them. The beauty of The Reader for me was in how these characters can speak for generations; the passion, the heartbreak, the guilt, the shame, the anger, and the eventual cold-blooded detachment. The acting is stellar throughout, with special props going to Kate Winslet and David Kross for their fearless portrayals and for breathing such believability into their characters. To engender empathy for people who run the gamut from despicable to emotionally empty is a nod to their acting skill. To compel me to watch the drama of such unsavory individuals is a testament to the power of this movie. The Reader might disturb you, anger you, disgust you, or even confuse you. Certainly one of the principal responsibilities for art is to provoke such reactions. P.S. I don't usually include info about the dvd extras, but since I watched them this afternoon, I thought I'd add a sentence or five. There are about a handful or so, focusing on the set design with a German woman who had left her native country during the post WWII period to get away from the drama, a lengthy bit with Kate Winslet getting into her older make-up, an interview with Kross and the director, and a bit with the music director. There are also quite a few deleted scenes that must've made it pretty far as they seem like a finished product, if you know what I mean. They are illuminating and at least one in particular should've been included as it not only bridges two scenes that have little continuity, but also features a very poignant conversation between Michael and an older truck driver. It's kind of chilling and should have been in the movie. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant movie, great Blu-Ray *by M***N on May 24, 2009* The film: "The Reader" deserved its Oscar for best actress, but it also deserved the Oscar for best film (it lost to the inferior "Slumdog Millionaire.") It tells the tale of a young man growing up in post-war Germany who has an affair with a mysterious older woman. Without spoiling too much, the story ends up touching on the holocaust, how much we can blame participants, and whether or not love transcends these historical pains. Normally, I dislike holocaust films. I find that Hollywood too often beats us over the head with the "it's BAD" message (This Just In! Hollywood Geniuses Discover Holocaust Was Bad!) as opposed to mining the much more interesting tales of personal struggle, loss, redemption, and ignorance. "The Reader" offers an intelligent, probing, and insightful look at the human costs on those who were not direct victims, and on the society of post-war Germany at large. It also tells a heck of a love story, to boot. I felt so respected by the makers of this film. There is no heavy-handed moralizing, in fact, the message of the film seems to be that, while of course there are great moral wrongs that have been perpetrated, there are lesser consequences which do not make it into history books, but do have an impact on real people and deal them real pains that ought to be respected. As mentioned in other reviews, this is not a movie for the kids, at least not kids who still titter when they see nudity on screen. The first half of the film is consumed by a lusty affair between a 32 year old and a 15 year old. It's not for immature audiences. The Blu-Ray: On the opening scene, I thought this film must be shot on digital. The source was just too clean, with little to no film grain in evidence. Upon further research, however, I have discovered that it was indeed shot on Kodak Vision2 and Vision3 film - which Kodak advertises as producing less grain in low light and in general. Given this, and the fact that detail is generally so strong in this image, I can only assume that this Blu-Ray has been mastered without excessive Digital Noise Reduction. It is a lovely 1.85:1 image which suits nice widescreen displays beautifully. Black levels are strong, loads of detail is evident in shadows, and colors are extremely naturalistic. There are many moments that offer the sort of "3-D" realism that the best HD can give. The quality of the image adds immediacy and impact to the already involving film. Audio is very dialogue driven. This is not a BD that will rock your neighbors. Extras are very strong. 42 minutes (!) of deleted scenes are presented in 480p widescreen. I watched them all, and I would say only one cut was truly unfortunate - a little bit of backstory for Michael's law professor that would have added depth to the story. Mini-documentaries are also available, touching on the writing and casting process, as well as Kate Winslet's aging with make-up. Overall, it's a very strong slate of extras. ********* Any fan of serious dramas and romances would do quite well to pick this up. It's a truly great movie that is very affecting and also thought provoking. It's a monument to respecting the viewer, allowing them to digest complex morality without beating them over the head with a "message." I would compare it to films like "The English Patient" or "I've Loved You So Long" (another 2008 Oscar Nominee). It is also presented in an exceedingly beautiful HD transfer and a strong package of extras. Certainly, if you're doing a survey of 2008 Oscar nominees, you should pick this up over the trite, pat Hollywood fare of "Slumdog." It's also better than the very good, but somewhat flabby "Benjamin Button," and the excellent, but not as brainy "Milk." I can't recommend it enough. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://saintkitts.desertcart.com/products/15357751-the-reader](https://saintkitts.desertcart.com/products/15357751-the-reader) --- *Product available on Desertcart Saint Kitts and Nevis* *Store origin: KN* *Last updated: 2026-10-20*