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The Pianist

Play trailer Poster for The Pianist R Released Dec 27, 2002 2h 28m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 187 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 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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The Pianist

The Pianist

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) Starved to skin and bone, Adrien Brody gives a mesmerising performance as Wladyslaw Szpilman... Aug 29, 2022 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media True story of a Jewish pianist; OK for older kids. Rated: 5/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Vixo S Shocking and masterful. The Pianist left me completely in shock. I had heard about it before, but I never thought it would be this good. It’s a raw, moving, and profoundly human film that portrays the horrors of war without resorting to sensationalism. Adrien Brody’s performance is flawless, conveying his character’s suffering, loneliness, and fragile hope with both subtlety and strength. Roman Polanski’s direction is masterful, paying attention to every detail to make the story feel as real as it is devastating. This is one of those films you don’t just watch, but truly feel, and it stays with you long after it ends. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/15/25 Full Review Alec B Szpilman's experience of the War and the Holocaust is simultaneously intimate and at a distance. He experiences violent antisemitism first hand and loses his entire family but also witnesses key historical events (the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the Warsaw Uprising, and the Destruction of Warsaw) from upstairs windows in secret rooms without participating in them. Polanski infusing this true story with elements of his own life is key to the movie's emotional core. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/29/25 Full Review Stephen C 2 hours and 28 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Violence and Brief Strong Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cast and crew are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Louise C Adrien Brody's performance is impeccable. The scene where he silently plays the piano is memorable for years. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/20/25 Full Review Tom F It’s hard to not be moved by a holocaust movie, and this is a pretty good one. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/04/25 Full Review Audience Member This is a "slow past movie" that only a few in our generation can enjoy Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pianist

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Cast & Crew

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Roman Polanski

Director

Adrien Brody

Wladyslaw Szpilman

Thomas Kretschmann

Captain Wilm Hosenfeld

Frank Finlay

The Father

Maureen Lipman

The Mother

Emilia Fox

Dorota

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The Pianist

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Movie Info

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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