The Pianist (2002)
Adult themes, High level violence
| Director: | Roman Polanski |
| Actors: | Adrien Brody, Ed Stoppard, Emilia Fox, Frank Finlay, Jessica Kate Meyer, Julia Rayner, Maureen Lipman, Thomas Kretschmann |
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and winner of 3, The Pianist stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody in the true-life story of brilliant pianist and composer Wladyslaw Szpilman, the most acclaimed young musician of his time until his promising career was interrupted by the onset of World War II. This powerful, ultimately triumphant film follows Szpilman's heroic and inspirational journey of survival with the unlikely help from a sympathetic German officer. A truly unforgettable epic, testifying to both the power of hope and the resiliency of the human spirit, The Pianist is a miraculous tale of survival masterfully brought to life by visionary filmmaker Roman Polanski in his most personal movie ever.**
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 142mins |
| Origin: | GERMANY |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.85:1 16:9 Enhanced |
| Run Time: | 142mins |
|---|---|
| File Size (Approx): | 1.3 GB |
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Member Reviews (91)
91 Member
Reviews
says
Sort of a Polish version of Anne Frank. Almost a personal tribute from Polanski to the survivors of the Warsaw ghetto. A gripping saga entwined with some wonderful music and brilliant portrayal of Szpilman's life and career. Not to be missed .
Val
says
I was very moved by this brilliant movie, which was based on fact. In places brutal, it still managed to show the kindness and bravery of people in imense fear and danger. The main Characters were excellent, settings realistic and the tension had me on the edge of my seat.
The movie definitely deserves 5 stars.
Mary
says
Loved it. A different slant on the usual holocaust movie. Great acting. Only pity it wasn't a "foreign" movie with subtitles. It was a bit disconcerting to listen to the varied British and American actors doing the accents. Emelia Fox was ok in this regard.
Another one my husband liked.
Art S.
says
Adrian Brody gives a stunning and remarkably "internal" performance (because for half the movie he has no one to talk to) as a survivor of the Holocaust in Polanski's haunting remembrance of his youth (in the guise of telling Wladyslaw Szpilman's story). The Nazis roll into Poland and from then on the movie is one relentless and harrowing slide into darkness. This is gut-wrenching stuff made all the more so because it is based on true events-- the world really was that evil 70 years ago. And, yes, humankind is still capable of perpetrating such evil even today. I think I can hear deeper emotions in the playing of the piano just knowing the pianist's life story. But can you hear them if you don't know?
euro7
says
survival in grey color...
DW
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After discussing this movie with some Polish friends, they said : "They also had seen it....and it is "terrifyingly accurate"
TRUE
says
Based on true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman. Reminds me "Shindler's List" but seems even more sad and painful to watch.
Having said that, it is a great film based on great book , hope to read the book one day...Highly recommended but be warned: this is not a cheerful nor uplifting film.
Jill
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I always enjoy a true story and this was no exception. Very good movie and good acting as well. Recommend.
says
how depressing sad and morbid. I could not get through this one.
Tara
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I thought I was having a bad day until I watch this powerful captivating story of courage. Must see movie.
kathy
says
fantistict movie, everything that happened in the movie was very correct, war is a terrible happening
Jenetta
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Great film. Heart renching. makes you really wonder about that crazy war. and how they treated the people. Very well acted. Well portrayed. A must see for everyone so nothing like that ever happens hopefully in the world again
rob
says
I felt disappointed and uneasy in watching this movie probably because it didn't quite manage to deliver on the story behind the tradegy that was taking place around our hero.
nalaka
says
Superb....what a wonderful performance by Brody....it's all written on his face...all the emotions...he deserves that award... "Szpilman's story of survival is incredible, but it's not especially heroic. Polanski nails all the moral dilemmas. Polanski has done a wonderful job...!! Glad that I got to see this... may peace prevail on earth...!!!
juliekym
says
Excellent movie and can't believe it really happened.
louise
says
A film that was very difficult to watch in places such was the atrocities of the Germans against the Jews in Warsaw. A very different angle of WW2 from polish perspective that follows the life of a Jewish family and in particular, the pianist. Beautifully done, compulsory viewing.
stanarosa
says
Very good. Shows how bad people can treat each other. Very moving story.
Posted by Gillian K
says
A masterpiece, not a movie for the squeamish though - it shows the horrors faced by Jewish people during World War 2 with stark simplicity and horrifying abruptness. As a Chopin lover, I also was incredibly moved by how the love of music can transcend prejudices and unite supposed enemies.
sara klein
says
Loved it.
Julia
says
One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I found it sad, captivating & was on the edge of my seat at times! Magnificently filmed and Adrien Brody at his best!
MAR
says
How good was it? A true story gets me in every time!
CK
says
There's a reason why it's an Academy Award winner...
Tanjill2
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Magnificent. a must see, Polanski's background could never be more relevent, You felt you were there, it's that absorbing. just a tad slow in places, but you hardly notice
Anne
says
Amazing...have wanted to see it for ages and it didn't disappoint.
lee
says
excellent
Leonie Edwards
says
A deeply moving story of never losing hope,never giving up and the power of the human spirit to survive even the most hopeless of situations.The true story is told of a Jewish pianist and composer in WW 2 ,what his family suffer at the hands of the German Army and yet the hand of Providence seems to be upon the young composer as time after time it steps in to deliver him.
Joshua
says
A wonderful movie....capturing a part of history that shows mans inhumanity towards man....Well worth viewing....5 stars.
Lesley
says
This was an amazing movie and I would recommend it to anyone.
Beautiful and sad at the same time.
gerd
says
Could have also been called "The Survivor": an incredible story of survival in the face of truly horrific inhumanity amidst the most awful period of 20th century history. The film looks and sounds very authentic: signage in German and Polish, German soldiers speaking German, Poles replying to them in hesitant and faulty German ... except, bizarrely, Poles speaking English to each other! The movie was made in Poland, so surely they could have found some Polish actors. But it's a minor quibble with an otherwise excellent movie.
Mark
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Sad
Lynne
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One of the all time great movies
colinsart
says
Brilliant movie in all ways. Acting, storyline and photography...all superb!
Sheri
says
A grim story that highlights in great detail the atrocities waged against the Jewish community during World War 2. Grim but gripping, and heart wrenching too of course.
tracy
says
wow fantastic film worth the wait, sad to see what the people went through and to see and this man fight to survive, and come out alive at the end great film thank you
Jody
says
Ifound this movie very moving and piano playing sublime
Gabrielle
says
The only reason that Nazi helped him was because he KNEW the War was lost and it was all over for him. No way he would have saved a Jew if the Nazis became the "Masters of the World." A very sad story all round.
Julie
says
Moving drama depicting the ravages of war and the plight of the Jews with their sympathetic allies during World War II - a graphic and sometimes shocking movie. If you liked Schindlers List, you will enjoy this one.
John
says
This is an excellent movie set in exordinary times. Some scenes are not pretty but unfortunately they happened. It seens wrong to say I enjoyed this movie but I found it very good.
Matthew B.
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Heart breaking, beautifully told and visualised story of pianist's experience as a Jew in WWII Warsaw. Adrien Brody is magnificent!
Gene G.
says
One of the best films viewed in my queue.Chopins Bllade no 1 in g is my favorite music and also Revolutionary Etude. Fantastic acting as well. VERY WELL PRODUCED MOVIE
Stuart H.
says
Whilst this is a longer movie it is stunning. We forget the harshness of War and how people were treated and this is a stark reminder about that time.
Good performances by the cast that showed everybody that lived in Poland stuggled with fear during those times.
Regiane S.
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Darlene W.
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Excellent movie that I could not take my eyes off. Evoked lots of feelings
William K.
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Ed V.
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Game back to this one and will do so in the future, to good for just once.Ed
Andrew R.
says
Superbly written,acted and directed movie. Tells the true story of a Polish pianist whos career is interrupted by the onset of WW2. Will evoke strong emotions due to some fairly intense and cruel scenes but also some triumphs of the human spirit. Adrien Brody, who is the central character, won a Best Actor Oscar. An excellent window into the early days of the Nazi war machine and the Polish invasion, very vivid, shocking and emotionally charged. Highly recommended for lovers of good cinema, true stories and war buffs.
Gail M.
says
complex feelings were portrayed with sensitivity through the eyes of an pianist (artist). Deeply moving and fabulous acting by the lead role.
Terence B.
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Powerful acting for a powerful film; well told story in a well directed film
Robyn K.
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Diane B.
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Pretty good.
lucy
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John H.
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Trisha M.
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A long movie, but gripping while confronting ... I felt it let the Poles off reasonably lightly, but an attempt is made to show both sides of the Polish attitude toard the plight of the Jews in their midst. It really put into sharp perspective the way the gradual loss of civil rights feels at first like something that can be endured for a while ... it reminded me of the frog and boiling water analogy. The casting was good, and the real-life aspect of the story quite inspiring.
Siobhan W.
says
Wonderful film about the atrocities of war and the strength of courage and the human spirit in the face of great adversity.
Howard R.
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Good drama, excellent music, moving true story. Happy ending!
Ed V.
says
Hi
A very powerfull film a must see for everyone. Looking forward to chindlers list. Ed
Kun M.
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Kaarth
says
This movie was quite confronting and made no apologies for doing so. Based on real events and experiences, this movie was brilliantly written, acted and directed.
David C.
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Clever Dick
says
Although horrific at times, this is one of those films that will have you on the edge of your seat. Adrien Brody's performance is outstanding - well deserving of his Best Actor Oscar.
Kornelis V.
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Dylan F.
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Brilliant film taking in a powerful story and portayed in the most surreal situations. Casting is excellent.
Keiran
says
A long but fascinating movie - worth watching until the end. The story covers the entire second world war from the view of a hiding Jewish pianist. The shots from his window on the progress of the war in the streets below is fascinating.
Marie K.
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norri
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Excellent script,acting and filmwork. IT recalls how many of us can be turned into evil and inhumane individuals when consumed by hatred. Sadly we so often forget the lesson.
Wendy A.
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Peter H.
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A great survival story.
Jeffrey B.
says
love true stories
Eddie M.
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Absolutely brilliant.
C. L.
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Brian C.
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Trevor Harrison
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Paul Mcbryde
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Jane Selby
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Dan MS
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This movie is unforgettable. Very real-to-life and confronting in parts, it gives a first person perspective of the Nazi threat in Warsaw. Adrien Brody gives an amazing performance, and shows his deservingness of his Oscar win. In many ways this film is a quiet introspective film, and gives the viewer a real sense of isolation that these people must have felt.
Rob Tidd
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Brian Graham
says
Superb recreation of wartime Gemany situations, and of survival.
Yi Lin Phua
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Robert Gorey
says
Engrossing
Mihaela Nicoara
says
Unforgetable scene !
Grant Cowin
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Michael Cross
says
Best movie I have seen in many a long year. Totally gripping drama.
Lorene Furmage
says
A wonderful portrayal of survival against the odds. Heart-breaking but should be compulsory viewing. Set in Warsaw during WW2 it tells the story of the survival of a jewish pianist through the terror times of the ghetto and extermination camps created by the Nazis and his hiding in Warsaw towards the end of the war, his saving by a German officer and his ultimate triumph of returning to the concert stage. Includes the story behind the filming with interviews by Roman Polanski on his role in the films presentation.
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Steve Williams
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Maurice
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A masterpiece from the heart by Roman Polanski. Adrien Brody's performance is breathtaking!
Gavin Bond
says
This holocaust saga is beautifully directed and photographed and tells of the devastating and heartbreaking story of the German invasion of Warsaw.Sure it's along movie but far more subtler than SCHINDLERS LIST (and other World War 2 dramas)and is a welcome return to form by director ROMAN POLANSKI!
pda
says
Superb dramatisation of a Polish Jew pianist's struggles in German occupied Warsaw during World War 2. The quality of the absorbing story and acting quality is quite superb
Cinefile
says
Maria Motta
says
watch it if you liked "Life is beautiful".. spare some tears
Romul
says