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The Pianist

R Released Dec 27, 2002 2h 28m History Drama War List
95% Tomatometer 190 Reviews 96% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less
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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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Audience Member How did I just finally watch this in 2024? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/24 Full Review Audience Member Fantástico filme. Retrata muito bem aquilo que foi a Segunda Guerra Mundial. O filme possui um ótimo conjunto de atores, em particular o seu protagonista (Adrien Brody). Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/13/24 Full Review Z - One of the better comedies to come out in 2002 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Nathan W I didn't expect it to be quite as dark as it was. Not only was everything so drab and depressing, but they didn't pull any punches when it came to violence. We got to see up close, and in graphic detail, the horrors of Nazi occupied Poland (Warsaw). Not only people being cut down in the streets, but the heartbreaking things they had to do to survive. (It was genuinely hard to watch at times). Adrian Brody was as good as I've ever seen him... Gave an incredibly moving and emotional performance. I didn't recognize too many other faces in this one but all of the acting was top notch. The script was well written and the deliveries were on point for the most part. I thought it was a very effective period piece as well. The amount of detail in the wardrobes, the set pieces, and the general location was incredible. Good things aside, the plot really slowed down around the halfway mark. I wasn't bored necessarily, but there was a lot of Adrian Brody hiding out in different places.... With not much else going on. I was still into the story, it just wasn't the most exciting thing to watch. But overall I though this was an incredibly good looking and gripping tale of one man's struggle to survive. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/05/24 Full Review Tanisha R This movie is start to finish excellent. So well done all around. The acting is superb. It really takes you to the place and time to the point where you are hungry and tired along with the characters. It really touches the spirit. One of the reasons that I like watching this movie is because of the music. The piano playing can not get lost here, it's moving. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/30/24 Full Review Yu_X U absolutely amazing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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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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