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The Pianist
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The Pianist

2002
Drama
War
2h 30m
Wladyslaw Szpilman, a brilliant Polish pianist, a Jew, escapes deportation. Forced to live in the heart of the Warsaw ghetto, he shares the suffering, the humiliation and the struggles. He manages to escape and hides in the ruins of the capital. A German officer comes to his aid and helps him to survive. (Focus Features)
Directed by:
Roman Polanski Roman Polanski
Written by:
Ronald Harwood Ronald Harwood Wladyslaw Szpilman
+1 more
Starring:
Adrien Brody Adrien Brody Thomas Kretschmann Thomas Kretschmann Daniel Caltagirone Daniel Caltagirone Frank Finlay Frank Finlay Maureen Lipman Maureen Lipman Emilia Fox Emilia Fox Ed Stoppard Ed Stoppard Julia Rayner Michal Zebrowski Michal Zebrowski Krzysztof Pieczynski Krzysztof Pieczynski Jessica Kate Meyer Popeck Popeck
More
Genres:
Drama, War, History, Biography
Countries:
France, Germany, Poland, UK
Languages:
English, German, Russian
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Pianist

2002
Drama
War
2h 30m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71.33% from 12415 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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sengirsengir
Rated 24 Mar 2008
92
98th
Adrien Brody's masterful performance matched with Polanski's heartbreaking depiction of the horrors of the ghetto and the nazi occupation of Poland make this a must see WWII epic.
Rated 24 Mar 2008
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 21 Apr 2007
10
97th
One of the best War films around. The music transcends the film to a unique status and Brody's performance is unforgettable. How could Chicago have won best picture over this, I still wonder.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
magbMagb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
61st
The phrase The Pianist constantly brings to mind for me is "predictably excellent". On the one hand it IS excellent, but on the other hand it is exactly what I was expecting it to be every step of the way. Maybe I've just become numb to everything Holocaust-related.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 17 May 2008
89
96th
it makes me wonder how such an awesome movie could be based on such a terrible book. adrien brody gives one of the best performances of the last decade, this stands out as one of the best war-time movies based in the 40's ever made.
Rated 17 May 2008
joojooJooJoo
Rated 11 Jun 2009
5
81st
I suppose this is the most I can care about Adrian Brody - all it took was a Holocaust.
Rated 11 Jun 2009
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 15 Sep 2019
96
99th
An emotional movie with lots of heavy scenes, which are difficult to watch. The (unbelievable) story is really good, crazy it really happened and the acting is outstanding too. It has a long running time, but the movie is so engaging, that it doesn't feel like that at all.
Rated 15 Sep 2019
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
91st
Excellent film. Adrian Brody is magnificent.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
herzdameHerzdame
Rated 06 Jul 2010
100
95th
The hero becomes the anti-hero, war becomes a struggle of self-survival, and the viewer becomes an insignificant molecule beyond the screen and into Polanski's vision.
Rated 06 Jul 2010
feublofeublo
Rated 24 Sep 2019
75
41st
Gradually paced, I think it's timeline is well executed and coincides with it's emotional weight. A subject that is sensitive, but Polanski manages a brutal and direct picture without over the top drama.
Rated 24 Sep 2019
dardandardan
Rated 05 May 2015
40
33rd
How is this less hated than Schindler's List?
Rated 05 May 2015
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 21 Aug 2011
65
42nd
The only thing Polanski raped on this was the pacing.
Rated 21 Aug 2011
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
87th
Adrien Brody was very good (thus the Oscar), and the movie had my attention the entire time. But for some reason, I left the movie feeling like it had been done before (thus the docking in points).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
guy-piranhaguy piranha
Rated 05 Jun 2016
70
69th
takes its sweet time to get anywhere interesting from the usual beating you into submission by shoving atrocities down your throat, and when it finally does, it's almost over. of course it's well done, it's a polanski. but it brings nothing to the table i haven't seen several times before.
Rated 05 Jun 2016
moviejunkie5Moviejunkie5
Rated 09 Mar 2009
90
73rd
This has to be one of the most honest films about the holocaust. Roman Polanski delivers the epic journey of a man who is transformed by a series of events from an highly cultured musician to a scavenging, hollow shell of a human being in a very skillful way. The violence is heartbreaking and graphic with showing the widespread killing, beating and burning of Jews and others, which is unbearable to watch at times. It's still a very touching movie and should be seen by everyone.
Rated 09 Mar 2009
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 16 Mar 2019
90
93rd
On the basis that I dont research peoples history in order to decide whether to appreciate their work, I have to say I loved this film. Absolutely gripping from start to finish despite a 150mn run time. Whilst Polanski may not be the greatest director (a little too fond of "fade to black" editing for my liking) he has produced a classic which manages to really convey the passage of time; something so many films of the ilk fail to do. The piano work in front of the German was a moment to treasure
Rated 16 Mar 2019
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 19 Sep 2022
93
94th
It's pretty unfair that Polanski can be such a monumental piece of shit and such a great filmmaker simultaneously. These points go to everyone else involved in the production, not him.
Rated 19 Sep 2022
wcnitzwcnitz
Rated 08 Jul 2007
90
96th
So heartwrenching that I found it difficult to watch at times. I prefer this movie to Schindler's List for several reasons, not the least of which is Brody. Well done.
Rated 08 Jul 2007
neonmanNeonman
Rated 02 Jan 2011
40
3rd
A highly narrow-minded film that focuses almost entirely on the horrors of that era, which have been better portrayed in better and shorter movies. Less a film for the cinemas, and more for the history class.
Rated 02 Jan 2011
spaceflohspacefloh
Rated 27 Feb 2008
71
88th
ger; ein jüdischer pianist erlebt die nazizeit und schlägt sich durch ein leben voll demütigung und einsamkeit
Rated 27 Feb 2008
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 27 Apr 2009
94
93rd
Probably the best war-related movie I've seen with an awesome performance from Adrian Brody.
Rated 27 Apr 2009
ptonyptony
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
90th
Wonderful. Big story to capture. I was just a bit disappointed that it didn't really sweep me up by then end.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
picklemanPickle_Man
Rated 04 Apr 2019
65
27th
And people accuse horror movies of being torture porn.
Rated 04 Apr 2019
medMed
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
93rd
One of the best performances from an actor in the last 20 years , Adrian Brody more than deserved his oscar, and it's a damn fine movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 31 Mar 2007
100
95th
Excellent odyssey of real-life terror and serendipity
Rated 31 Mar 2007
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 10 Feb 2011
3
45th
A well made and engrossing film, but one that lacks personality and character to set it apart. Despite the marvelous cinematography and performances, it feels like just another Holocaust movie.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 24 Mar 2012
97
94th
I was very blown away by this movie. Adrien Brody is fantastic in what is unquestionably his best performance ever, and Roman Polanski is a very godo director. A truly gripping, upsetting, and emotional story told very well by Wladyslaw himself. A near perfect movie.
Rated 24 Mar 2012
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 28 Feb 2011
85
73rd
A good setup for one of the most magnificent, beautiful musical scenes ever.
Rated 28 Feb 2011
movie_houseMovie House
Rated 17 Dec 2019
0
1st
The movie was directed by a convicted rapist who fled the country to avoid going to jail, but continues to make movies. Nope. Not for me.
Rated 17 Dec 2019
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
7
84th
It's about the Holocaust, so it MUST be a masterpiece!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spanksSpanks
Rated 23 Oct 2013
85
88th
Watching Polanski films always have me between a rock and a hard place. The rock being that he is one of my favorite filmmakers. But he also raped a child and got away with it. Regardless, The Pianist is a great film, with Brody's shnoze stealing the show. I suspect my score would increase with a repeated viewing.
Rated 23 Oct 2013
zaezae
Rated 26 Jun 2012
70
53rd
A fine film, but it brings no surprises, and had a surprisingly light emotional impact on me considering the subject matter.
Rated 26 Jun 2012
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
89
95th
Brilliantly made and performed, this is may possiblyeven be my favourite Polanski. Brody is excellent as the films lead, and while it may do little that can be considered new or original in terms of the many other films of this ilk, "The Pianist" does those things better than most films.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 02 Aug 2013
0
1st
Holocaust profiteering, Spielberg style. Most of the movie is just masturbation over fictionalized events during the Holocaust (the Hollywood version where only Jewish people were harmed - that is). The movie doesn't have anything at all to say, which is made painfully obvious time and time again during the final third where the main character just wanders around aimlessly as a homeless bum. And really, who thought it was a good idea to have Adrien Brody star in a major production?
Rated 02 Aug 2013
naurunauru
Rated 10 Jul 2011
48
43rd
The film relies heavily on the subject matter. The editing is very clunky and the passage of time is not managed well. While the film definitely feels long, Brody's performance is fairly strong. Still wondering where are all the holocaust films which at least acknowledge (and ideally focus on) the Ukrainians, the mentally ill, the Roma (really, especially the Roma) the gays, the unionists, the Catholics, and all the others who suffered horribly at the hands of the Nazis. They are ignored.
Rated 10 Jul 2011
jswinderjswinder
Rated 16 Jan 2009
82
71st
The opening nocturne is unforgettable as the pictures in this film. I was really happy to see Brody receive an oscar. I've always admired his work since I was a young kid, seems like a cool guy.
Rated 16 Jan 2009
flaminaflamina
Rated 26 Feb 2010
70
59th
A hugely moving film portraying the harsh reality of war, with great acting and beautiful music. Won many awards for the film and acting. A very well made film with great cinematography.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
ocelotOcelot
Rated 05 Mar 2014
80
89th
"Predictably excellent" is an accurate descriptor, but excellence is excellence, no matter how predictable. Hard not to draw comparisons to Schindler's List, but they each focus on different aspects of the goodness of humanity -- List on one many who saves many, and the Pianist on many who save one. The pacing is a little jumpy, but Brody carries the entire movie from beginning to end. It's just as much his film as it is Polanski's.
Rated 05 Mar 2014
nobletNoblet
Rated 14 Apr 2012
85
84th
A great film, the second half of the story is especially gripping. Brody really carries the film with an excellent performance.
Rated 14 Apr 2012
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
70
82nd
A great film.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 13 May 2009
67
31st
It's like the filmic equivalent of HDR photography. Almost every utterance feels contrived. However, it remains engaging throughout its runtime.
Rated 13 May 2009
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 22 Jan 2009
95
96th
Polanski brings Holocaust memoirs into starkly detailed life, providing a vital& fact-based account of great tragedy & hopeful struggle.First, how the noose brutally & inexorably tightened on Warsaw Jews& then, the moving tale of 1 desperate man's incredibly fortunate & realistically unheroic survival w/ the help of a handful of brave people - both gentiles & germans - willing2 put their own necks on the line. Specific, moving & powerful, the film stands out from most otherHolocaust dramas
Rated 22 Jan 2009
myszatekMyszatek
Rated 07 Sep 2009
88
92nd
One of the movies that are great and hard to watch at the same time.
Rated 07 Sep 2009
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 04 Feb 2008
82
86th
Polanski's World War II movie. Excellent part of Adrien Brody.
Rated 04 Feb 2008
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
91st
THE PIANIST should please those who enjoy survival tales, honest portrayals of the holocaust, great dramas, and especially fans of Polanski. Although the material has been covered before, it rarely has been done better.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
td888td888
Rated 16 May 2010
90
95th
Mandatory viewing for everyone.
Rated 16 May 2010
walkearthwalkearth
Rated 23 Mar 2009
85
98th
3. Every time I watch it, it gets more emotional. One of the pinnacles of Polanski's career.
Rated 23 Mar 2009
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 08 Oct 2007
80
80th
It's really a great movie, it is very distressing and exciting. Although, Roman Polanski does not present anything new in this type of film on war. But it's a good job.
Rated 08 Oct 2007
djrossdjross
Rated 27 May 2023
60
63rd
What’s good about this film is the decision to only show (more or less) what Szpilman experienced first-hand. Not a lot of laughs.
Rated 27 May 2023
castlevania2Castlevania2
Rated 18 Nov 2014
85
40th
Adrien Brody won an Oscar for this. Interesting. Not wholly undeserved but definitely not what you'd expect to win such a Hollywood self-styled "prestigious" award as Best Actor.
Rated 18 Nov 2014
chrisaugustchrisaugust
Rated 22 Mar 2008
85
83rd
This is basically made by Adrian Brody's performance, but that's enough to hold nearly any movie.
Rated 22 Mar 2008
john_lockeJohn Locke
Rated 27 Feb 2008
86
46th
Adrian Brody gives a fine performance.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
96
97th
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Rated 06 Aug 2021
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 14 Sep 2019
80
79th
This is much more a war film than a musical drama - there are perhaps surprisingly few scenes actually depicting the main characters music playing but of course the whole story is entirely centered around him and its a chilling depiction of the inhumane treatment of Jews during (among?) the darkest times of the 20th century.
Rated 14 Sep 2019
stflyst_fly
Rated 21 Aug 2007
90
95th
Adrian Brody is wonderful as the titular pianist, the horrors and the carnage of war are brutally reallistic, the interaction between Brody and the Nazi oficer is kinda cliche`.
Rated 21 Aug 2007
kavuKavu
Rated 04 Mar 2009
83
79th
Not particularly original but very well made in every aspect. Especially Brody is great.
Rated 04 Mar 2009
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
Terrific. Sad, touching, beautiful, emotional, etc., etc.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 21 Sep 2010
90
97th
Easily Brody's best work, a great film.
Rated 21 Sep 2010
pplinpplin
Rated 20 Apr 2014
97
99th
Beautiful
Rated 20 Apr 2014
xmulderxxmulderx
Rated 05 Jun 2010
70
80th
Really good war movie. Harrowing.
Rated 05 Jun 2010
caimancaiman
Rated 14 Mar 2008
90
92nd
A harrowing, heartbreaking Holocaust story that rivals any other to come out of Hollywood. Brody is fantastic here, as is Polanski.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
katikakatika
Rated 01 Sep 2007
90
53rd
Master-piece...maybe a little too long for my taste but good!
Rated 01 Sep 2007
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 23 Sep 2007
3
61st
Some very powerful imagery. Although there are some holocaust films that I definitely prefer over this one, I can't say it wasn't an engaging experience.
Rated 23 Sep 2007
carolineCaroline
Rated 26 Oct 2008
100
0th
Good.
Rated 26 Oct 2008
tsvetetsvete
Rated 13 Jan 2021
81
18th
1
Rated 13 Jan 2021
capttesticleCaptTesticle
Rated 16 Jun 2011
80
78th
I figured they went with mostly English language in "The Pianist" for the cock puns. Apparently not.
Rated 16 Jun 2011
dmbbearcatdmbbearcat
Rated 06 Jun 2011
92
91st
Chilling and difficult to watch at times, but that's what happens when a film about the Holocaust is made. Adrien Brody was brilliant though and easily deserved the acclaim he received for his performance.
Rated 06 Jun 2011
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 03 Jul 2009
95
93rd
A haunting and memorable film with great direction from Roman Polanski and an equally great performance by Adrien Brody.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
luordluord
Rated 09 Aug 2017
77
84th
A very difficult to watch drama, anchored in a performance for the ages by Brody. It's a tale of endurance, that appropriately tests the audience's.
Rated 09 Aug 2017
radarman01radarman01
Rated 22 Jul 2024
90
93rd
A man trying to hold sanity... in the mist of chaos.
Rated 22 Jul 2024
zolozolo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
91st
Very nice
Rated 14 Aug 2007
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 23 Oct 2008
60
31st
didn't got to me
Rated 23 Oct 2008
couch_potatoCouch Potato
Rated 17 Jan 2014
90
81st
Beautiful. I've cried every time I saw this movie. Especially the scene where he plays the piano for the German soldier in the abandoned house.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
archagonarchagon
Rated 06 Nov 2010
15
56th
Excellent acting. Very different from most other WWII films I've seen, in that it focuses on a Jewish ghetto in Poland. Well-paced, despite its length. The piano playing is very good. Saw it with my friend Adela.
Rated 06 Nov 2010
lenaclena_c
Rated 05 Oct 2020
5
92nd
The culmination in the end justify the long and some time long minutes of watching. Well deserved Oscar for Brody's performance. *Very good
Rated 05 Oct 2020
barraocBarraoc
Rated 15 Aug 2015
100
98th
Adrien Brody is sublime here, perfect for this harrowing true story.
Rated 15 Aug 2015
aminamin
Rated 30 Nov 2010
100
0th
yeki dg az behtarin film hai k didam
Rated 30 Nov 2010
kitchen867kitchen867
Rated 24 May 2012
70
66th
Not quite the atrocity laundry list that is Schindler's List, but much less interesting.
Rated 24 May 2012
lenynhalenynha
Rated 28 Feb 2011
90
90th
Beautiful, intense movie.
Rated 28 Feb 2011
bootaaayBootaaay
Rated 07 Jul 2010
90
90th
A touching and hauting piece of cinema encaptulated by Adrian Brody's absolutely fantastic performance.
Rated 07 Jul 2010
thehynesthehynes
Rated 05 Feb 2013
63
78th
sobering stuff as we follow Szpilman through WW2 Warsaw.Upsetting and makes you wonder how such things were ever allowed to happen,which is kind of the point I suppose
Rated 05 Feb 2013
lustforlifelustforlife
Rated 17 Apr 2009
90
93rd
The Pianist is tied with Schindler's List IMO for best WWII based film. It's just that damn good.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
84th
I love a good Oscar bait flick, and this one doesn't disappoint.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
crim122Crim122
Rated 21 Apr 2009
98
80th
My favorite WW2 era film, Brody was so great.
Rated 21 Apr 2009
mordecaimordecai
Rated 20 Jun 2008
89
44th
A beautiful film about sound and silence and what it means to love music beyond the backdrop of war
Rated 20 Jun 2008
ceyhunk26ceyhunk26
Rated 22 Jan 2012
91
98th
Plot 17/20 Fiction 17/20 Casting/Acting 20/20 Worldbuilding 20/20 Entertainment 17/20
Rated 22 Jan 2012
wicheWiche
Rated 24 Feb 2008
92
97th
Beautiful and touching story in a marvelous story! Had my full attention for every second.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
venom256venom256
Rated 06 Jan 2010
87
95th
Amazing cinema. The film reached me on an emotional level and showed how atrocious things were during the war for the Jewish people. Definately a thought-provoker. Long in duration but well worth it.
Rated 06 Jan 2010
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 03 Sep 2019
96
98th
Seen 2x
Rated 03 Sep 2019
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Jun 2008
83
93rd
Very nice movie
Rated 27 Jun 2008
nepetaNepeta
Rated 01 Jul 2014
60
28th
Emotive subject matter supports so-so presentation. The film is clunky and obvious, the use of English instead of Polish grates and the final leg of the film is a slog to get through. Still the contrast between creation and destruction is fascinating, Adrien Brody is great, and it is hard to not be repulsed by and furious at the acts that are shown even if they are (almost inevitably) clunkily brought to the screen.
Rated 01 Jul 2014
corndccorndc
Rated 20 May 2011
80
69th
Z
Rated 20 May 2011
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 08 Oct 2008
97
98th
We were blessed to receive this Polanski masterpiece. It's the true story of a brilliant Jewish pianist who, like so many others, lost family and friends during the horrifying years of World War 2. In escaping torture and concentration camps, he is placed with working class slaves in the Warsaw ghetto under an assumed identity; where he hides and bears witness to an uprising toward the end of the war. Adrien Brody's emotive performance is legendary and earned him the coveted Best Actor Oscar.
Rated 08 Oct 2008
psychedelicrpsychedelicr
Rated 06 Jul 2008
90
85th
The pickle jar scene is significantly memorable to me. Also, when he plays the piano--quite the show, ladies and gentlemen. Highly recommended!
Rated 06 Jul 2008
dylanwilson6dylanwilson6
Rated 16 Jun 2013
95
98th
With a great performance by Adrien Brody, this is probably the most powerful and harrowing movie about the holocaust.
Rated 16 Jun 2013
spunkieSpunkie
Rated 27 Mar 2007
55
52nd
Still this is the second Polanski I don't get all the fuzz over it. It has a say certainly. Out of all the directors Polanski has the credit to speak about holocaust since he lived through the period firsthand. But not from a mainstream perspective with masterfully inserted touching scenes. These images make the movie seem biased in the front, but aimed at the oscars at an unconcsious level.
Rated 27 Mar 2007
tevtev
Rated 16 Jul 2023
0
3rd
score 25 except for the director
Rated 16 Jul 2023
seenmanyseenmany
Rated 29 Dec 2017
77
38th
not relatable, didn't find much content
Rated 29 Dec 2017
haydnhaydn
Rated 06 May 2008
100
99th
A very beautiful movie, possibly my favorite dealing extensively with the holocaust.
Rated 06 May 2008
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
So very well made. Touching and human and very bleak.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 11 Mar 2020
86
95th
Seen: 2.
Rated 11 Mar 2020

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