The Pianist (2002)
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A Polish-Jewish pianist struggles to survive the horrors of the Warsaw Ghetto and the surrounding destruction of World War II.
The story
In September 1939, Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman performs on the radio in Warsaw just as the city is bombed during a Nazi German air raid. As the war intensifies and Poland falls under Nazi occupation, Szpilman and his family are forced to navigate the escalating persecution of Jews. They are eventually moved into the overcrowded and dangerous Warsaw Ghetto, where they must endure deplorable conditions and the constant threat of brutality. Amidst the chaos of the occupation, Szpilman must find ways to survive while his world is systematically destroyed by the surrounding conflict.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1939, Władysław Szpilman is a pianist in Warsaw when the city is bombed by Nazi Germany. As the occupation begins, he and his family are forced into the Warsaw Ghetto, where they face starvation and brutality. In 1942, Szpilman is separated from his family and sent toward a labor camp, but he manages to escape and go into hiding. He survives the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and later finds refuge in a German-held apartment. He suffers from malnourishment and jaundice while hiding. During the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, his building is destroyed by German forces. He is eventually discovered by a German officer, Wilm Hosenfeld, who recognizes him as a pianist. Hosenfeld provides him with food and protection until the city's liberation. After the war, Szpilman is briefly mistaken for a German by Polish soldiers but is eventually spared. The film ends with Szpilman performing in a large concert hall.
- First release year
- 2002
- Runtime (minutes)
- 149
- Production countries
- France; Germany; Poland; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Roman Polanski
- Cast and characters
- Adrien Brody · Władysław Szpilman; Thomas Kretschmann; Frank Finlay; Maureen Lipman; Emilia Fox; Ed Stoppard; Julia Rayner; Jessica Kate Meyer
- Genres
- biographical; historical drama; war drama
- Themes
- survival; art's redemption; war
- Tone and mood
- somber; raw
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; historical; war; Holocaust
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Pianist (1946) by Władysław Szpilman
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim, with critics lauding Polanski's direction, Brody's performance and Harwood's screenplay. It has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 85 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Best Film · BAFTA Award · 2003 · win; Best Direction · BAFTA Award · 2003 · win; Best Picture · César · 2003 · win; Best Director · César · 2003 · win; Best Actor · César · 2003 · win
- Production trivia
- The film is based on the memoir of Władysław Szpilman.; The film was included in BBC's 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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