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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 188 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 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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Diana A Le Pianiste est un film profondément émotionnel, avec Adrien Brody offrant une performance puissante en tant que Władysław Szpilman. Son interprétation d'un pianiste survivant de l'Holocauste est brutale et authentique, capturant à la fois la douleur et la résilience du personnage. Réalisé par Roman Polanski, le film mêle contexte historique et souffrance personnelle, laissant une empreinte durable. La cinématographie et le rythme complètent parfaitement l’histoire, en faisant une expérience inoubliable et qui pousse à la réflexion. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review Ruiliang W This was better at the time when I watched it, but not as good upon retrospection. It's not plausible to play the piano so flawlessly in the freezing cold, without warm up or recent practice. Adrian Brody comes off as very pitiable though. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Autumn M The Pianist is an accessible story of a Jewish pianist during World War II. Adrien Brody is excellent! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review William B Outstanding acting. Perfect sceneries. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/22/24 Full Review Andon Z masterpiece, it's so well made as a film that it feels like I lived during WW2. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Christian L Hauntingly profound, tragic and depressing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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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