The Pianist

Play trailer

The Pianist

R

Released Dec 27, 2002

2h 28m

History

Drama

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

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 Member

This is a literal masterpiece, not only this... almost all work of Adrien is a damn masterpiece and underrated. This felt way too realistic, W

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Roman Polanski

Director

Adrien Brody

Wladyslaw Szpilman

Thomas Kretschmann

Captain Wilm Hosenfeld

Frank Finlay

The Father

Maureen Lipman

The Mother

Emilia Fox

Dorota

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Downfall

90%

94%

Downfall

Watchlist

To End All Wars

62%

85%

To End All Wars

Watchlist

Defiance

58%

72%

Defiance

Watchlist

Windtalkers

32%

50%

Windtalkers

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Damian Chapa Preps Polanski Biopic

How Does "The Departed" Rank Among Oscar’s Best?

Adrien Brody in the Running for "Hulk" Sequel?

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now