Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

The Pianist

Play trailer Poster for The Pianist R Released Dec 27, 2002 2h 28m History Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 190 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 Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Pianist

The Pianist

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (190) 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 Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
AHMED A It is an incredibly amazing movie I believe you will watch the movie several times I consider it one of the best of cinema history Arguably it is the best work for the director Roman Polanski and the movie star Adrian brody You should watch it now !!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Bryhan Humberto G Película con excelente actores y muy buena producción que te hace reflexionar sobre el pasado y conectar con ella. maravilloso Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Fabrícia F Dramático, visceral, comovente. Um pianista vítima dos horrores da Segunda Guerra Mundial (1939-1945) pelas mãos de nazistas cruéis. A saga de sua sobrevivência é de roer as unhas, visto que sua fuga e posterior asilo no muro de Berlim, escancara a violência do exército alemão contra o povo judeu. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review Audience Member Atuação perfeita, cenários perfeitos, história espetacular, esse filme te deixa o tempo todo com o coração apertando, 10/10. Wow konomoul O que o protagonista passa é surreal Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review Sams K One of the greatest movie of all time, absolutely stunning and brilliant. A dramatic story with lots of reference to Polanski's childhood memories, perfect photography, perfect acting and a monumental directing by a legendary director. I put this in the top 20 bets movies of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Oliver L Hermosa en todo lo que puede ser hermosa. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/30/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pianist

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
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

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
Damian Chapa Preps Polanski Biopic How Does "The Departed" Rank Among Oscar’s Best? Adrien Brody in the Running for "Hulk" Sequel?
View All The Pianist photos

The Pianist

View more photos

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
Most Popular at Home Now