The Pianist

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The Pianist

R

Released Dec 27, 2002

2h 28m

History

Drama

War

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Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

185 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

The 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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Daniel P

Just a masterpiece. This movie hits hard and stays with you for years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/25

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Roman Polanski

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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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