The Pianist

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The Pianist

R

Released Dec 27, 2002

2h 28m

History

Drama

War

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Popcornmeter

95%

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187 Reviews

96%

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250,000+ Ratings

In this adaptation of the autobiography "The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945," Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish radio station pianist, sees Warsaw change gradually as World War II begins. Szpilman is forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, but is later separated from his family during Operation Reinhard. From this time until the concentration camp prisoners are released, Szpilman hides in various locations among the ruins of Warsaw.

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Critics Consensus

Well-acted and dramatically moving, The Pianist is Polanski's best work in years.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

Starved to skin and bone, Adrien Brody gives a mesmerising performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman...

Aug 29, 2022

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

True story of a Jewish pianist; OK for older kids.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 28, 2010

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Old-fashioned in both visual and narrative style and in its overall restraint, the film clearly benefits from the director's first-hand knowledge of the territory.

Feb 9, 2006

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Adrían Massanet

Espinof

Polanski embeds here and there, memories of his childhood and horrifying details that feel accurate and authentic, and which provide a moving and extremely raw dimension to a film whose darkness is unforgettable. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/5

Feb 27, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

This is not a portrait of war heroism (though he never does anyone ill by accident or by design) but of primal survival instincts and Brody sheds all of his actor’s instincts to show Szpilman slowly slide into animalistic self-preservation.

May 6, 2023

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

A master work on humanity vs. inhumanity, on the resilience and mercy of art, and on the personal horrors brought on by one of the world’s darkest events.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 24, 2022

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jacob c

Adrien Brody gives the performance of a lifetime in Roman Polanski’s brutal and immensely powerful film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Vitor O

Brilliantly shot, with restraint and escaping the urge of a cheap melodrama. It's classical filmmaking, and Polanski best work après-Chinatown.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/25

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Mich T

As someone who has seen nearly 1,000 films, This is one of the few I can say that have made me cry, but in a good way. True stories always hit you harder than fictional stories. Directed by Roman Polanski and based on the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist who survived the horrors of World War II, the film is an unforgettable portrayal of human resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering. The use of music throughout the film is also masterful, especially in moments when Szpilman's piano playing becomes his only form of survival. The music just brings out the viewer's emotions and feelings for the character, It makes me feel as if I'm there. While The Pianist is a difficult film to watch due to its subject matter, it is essential viewing for anyone interested in history or stories of personal triumph against overwhelming odds. The film's pacing is perfect, never feeling too slow or rushed, and Polanski's direction is flawless, bringing an authenticity to the film that few other World War II dramas achieve. Overall, The Pianist is a moving, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

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Renaldo D

Adrien is perfect in the movie. Great soundtrack and cinematography.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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thiago s

Filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, o filme mostra um pianista polones que passa por situações críticas pelos alemães nazistas, o filme tem um drama forte, as cenas de tiro no filme foram boas, junto com a história que mostra a realidade da época.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

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David S

It’s a great story of will power, but the movie dragged on. I like the level of detail that they went to, but, if they cut out 30-40 minutes of scenes that didn’t really add much, it would have been a phenomenal movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this adaptation of the autobiography "The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945," Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish radio station pianist, sees Warsaw change gradually as World War II begins. Szpilman is forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, but is later separated from his family during Operation Reinhard. From this time until the concentration camp prisoners are released, Szpilman hides in various locations among the ruins of Warsaw.

Director: Roman Polanski
Producer: Robert Benmussa, Roman Polanski, Alain Sarde
Screenwriter: Wladyslaw Szpilman, Ronald Harwood
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R (Violence|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 27, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.8K
Runtime: 2h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround

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