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

188 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

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

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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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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

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William B

Outstanding acting. Perfect sceneries.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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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

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Christian L

Hauntingly profound, tragic and depressing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

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KEVIN O

Fantástica película, sin duda la calidad del elenco, la escenografía, la postproducción y trama basada en una historia real lo hace único.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

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Lucas s

If there was ever such thing as a life changing movie this is it. Definitely a must see film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

Full Review

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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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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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