The Reader (2008)

Bruno Ganz: Professor Rohl

Photos 

Quotes 

• Professor Rohl : Societies think they operate by something called morality, but they don't. They operate by something called law. You're not guilty of anything merely by working at Auschwitz. Eight thousand people worked at Auschwitz. Precisely 19 have been convicted, and only six for murder. To prove murder, you have to prove intent. That's the law. The question is never was it wrong, but was it legal. And not by our laws. No. By the laws at the time.

• Professor Rohl : You have been skipping seminars.

  Michael : I have a piece of information, concerning one of the defendants. Something they do not admitting.

  Professor Rohl : What information? You don't need to tell me. It's perfectly clear you have a moral obligation to disclose it to the court.

  Michael : It happens this information is favorable to the defendant. It can help her case. It may even affect the outcome, certainly the sentencing.

  Professor Rohl : So?

  Michael : There's a problem. The defendant herself is determined to keep this information secret.

  Professor Rohl : What are her reasons?

  Michael : Because she's ashamed.

  Professor Rohl : Ashamed of what? Have you spoken to her?

  Michael : Of course not.

  Professor Rohl : Why "of course not"?

  Michael : I can't. I can't do that. I can't talk to her.

  Professor Rohl : What we feel isn't important. It's utterly unimportant. The only question is what we do. If people like you don't learn from what happened to people like me, then what the hell is the point of anything?

• Dieter : I started out believing in this trial. I thought it was great. Now, I think it's - it's just a diversion.

  Professor Rohl : Yes? Diversion from what?

  Dieter : You choose six women, you put them on trial, you say, "They were the evil ones, they were the *guilty* ones." Because one of the victims happened to write a book. That's why they're on trial and nobody else! Do you know how many camps there were in Europe? People go on about how much did everyone know? Who knew? What did they know? Everyone knew! Our parents, our teachers. That isn't the question! The question is, "How could you let this happen?" And better, "Why didn't you kill yourself when you found out?" Thousands. That's how many there were. Thousands of camps. *Everyone* knew.