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The Pianist

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)
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The Pianist

2002
Drama, War
2h 30m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 71.3% from 12347 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(12347)
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Compact view
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 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 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 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 11 Jun 2009
5
80th
I suppose this is the most I can care about Adrian Brody - all it took was a Holocaust.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
91st
Excellent film. Adrian Brody is magnificent.
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 21 Aug 2011
65
42nd
The only thing Polanski raped on this was the pacing.
Rated 05 May 2015
40
33rd
How is this less hated than Schindler's List?
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 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 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 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 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 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 02 Mar 2007
70
82nd
A great film.
Rated 31 Mar 2007
100
95th
Excellent odyssey of real-life terror and serendipity
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 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
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
7
84th
It's about the Holocaust, so it MUST be a masterpiece!
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 04 Feb 2008
82
86th
Polanski's World War II movie. Excellent part of Adrien Brody.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
71
88th
ger; ein jüdischer pianist erlebt die nazizeit und schlägt sich durch ein leben voll demütigung und einsamkeit
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 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 27 Apr 2009
94
93rd
Probably the best war-related movie I've seen with an awesome performance from Adrian Brody.
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 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 07 Sep 2009
88
92nd
One of the movies that are great and hard to watch at the same time.
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 16 May 2010
90
95th
Mandatory viewing for everyone.
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 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 28 Feb 2011
85
73rd
A good setup for one of the most magnificent, beautiful musical scenes ever.
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 24 Mar 2012
97
95th
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 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 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 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 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 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 04 Apr 2019
65
27th
And people accuse horror movies of being torture porn.
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 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 30 Nov 2006
95
87th
One of the saddest films ever. Truly moving featuring a breathtaking performance by Adrien Brody. A must-see.
Rated 01 Dec 2006
80
30th
never watching it again...
Rated 23 Dec 2006
70
18th
Great story, well done, but ultimately boring. It's nothing innovative.
Rated 08 Jan 2007
97
97th
Chicago best picture??? I think not my friends. This was clearly the best picture of the year. Probably the best Holocaust movie ever made. I'm gonna say better than Shindler's List.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
91
95th
Roman Polanski has his Schindler's List with "The Pianist," winning his direction an Oscar as well as lead actor Adrien Brody. The film is utterly powerful.
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 12 Apr 2007
69
49th
For the ending.
Rated 21 Apr 2007
83
67th
I was surprised by how moving this was given how it dealt with the subject matter. Most of the best movies regarding the Hollocaust that I've seen have been more or less overviews (Schindler's List, for example) that are told through a personal account, but The Pianist is completely singular relying on Brody's excellent performance and the great story at hand alone; not just the subject matter.
Rated 31 May 2007
95
95th
Like getting hit in the stomach.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
85th
The Pianist is an excellent holocause film, but stands in the shadow of the superior Schindler's List.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
Terrific. Sad, touching, beautiful, emotional, etc., etc.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
55
10th
Nowhere near as good as many people think it is. This is a rather boring film, saved only by moments of sheer horror and beauty. Our hero is merely saved by the kindness of strangers and the film's rather passive approach strains one's patience.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
84th
I love a good Oscar bait flick, and this one doesn't disappoint.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
25th
great acting
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
77th
I wanted to feed him.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
So very well made. Touching and human and very bleak.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
88th
harrowing tale, well shot and well acted.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
90th
Marvelous
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
91st
Since it's a Holocaust movie, it is, of course, difficult to watch. The brilliance of it is that it focuses almost entirely on Szpilman; by the third act, where we spend all of our time with the character, this has become a moving, engaging, and very personal tour de force.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
94th
Devastating film with an incredible lead performance, totally deserved the Oscar. Polanski should have won it as well (not likely to happen).
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
91st
Very nice
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 01 Sep 2007
90
53rd
Master-piece...maybe a little too long for my taste but good!
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 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 13 Oct 2007
91
91st
I love the way Polanski enlivens what is in many ways a typical Holocaust drama with the overwhelming power of art to shine light and bring hope into the darkness. The way music breaks in to the painful suffering that Szpilman endures gives witness to the deep human need for such things as we undergo dehumanizing circumstances. The patient way that Polanski handles the material only serves to add to the power of those key moments.
Rated 16 Oct 2007
92
93rd
Really good, even though i didn't expect it. I'd watch it again.
Rated 19 Oct 2007
92
50th
Life is all about luck
Rated 10 Nov 2007
89
54th
i prefer it to the tacky and forceful schindler's list.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
40
39th
found this disappointing and pointless.
Rated 17 Nov 2007
85
66th
Good, but definitely not Roman Polanski's best.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
87
80th
Great role by Adrien Brody and very good movie.
Rated 24 Feb 2008
92
97th
Beautiful and touching story in a marvelous story! Had my full attention for every second.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
88
86th
Very touching, very true to life. There are so many poignant moments in this film. Many we never forget.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
86
46th
Adrian Brody gives a fine performance.
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 22 Mar 2008
85
83rd
This is basically made by Adrian Brody's performance, but that's enough to hold nearly any movie.
Rated 06 May 2008
100
99th
A very beautiful movie, possibly my favorite dealing extensively with the holocaust.
Rated 14 May 2008
60
39th
The movie was very hard to watch sometimes but still it was mostly boring and the story didn't have any catches to make it interesting.
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 27 Jun 2008
83
93rd
Very nice movie
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 11 Jul 2008
70
57th
Touching, although I found it dragged in places.
Rated 03 Aug 2008
82
57th
Good, draining
Rated 23 Aug 2008
80
75th
good movie, but i felt like i'd seen it before. great work by brody though.
Rated 18 Sep 2008
71
36th
Compare to Schindler's List , The Pianist is less good than one , although it has its own value not to be neglect.
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 15 Oct 2008
70
16th
It's alright. Very well-acted.
Rated 23 Oct 2008
60
31st
didn't got to me
Rated 26 Oct 2008
100
0th
Good.
Rated 06 Nov 2008
97
98th
One of my alltime favorite films. No complaints about this one. Highly recommended.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
90
93rd
Wonderful movie - a lot like Schindler's List. A must watch for this genre.
Rated 13 Nov 2008
75
49th
very emotional
Rated 02 Dec 2008
95
90th
Adrian Brody is so cool.
Rated 17 Jan 2009
97
99th
One of the best movies I have ever seen.

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