The Pianist

The Pianist

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Roman Polanski

Based on The Pianist by
Władysław Szpilman

Starring Adrien Brody
Thomas Kretschmann
Frank Finlay
Maureen Lipman
EmiliaFox
Michał Żebrowski

Distributed by Focus Features
Universal Studios

Release date(s) • 24 May 2002 (Cannes)
• 6 September 2002(Poland)
• 27 December 2002 (US)
• 6 March 2003 (UK)•Running time 150 minutes
Country France
Poland
Germany
United Kingdom
The Pianist is a 2002 biographical war film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody. It is an adaptation of theautobiography of the same name by Jewish-Polish musician Władysław Szpilman. The film is a co-production between Poland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The film met with significant critical praiseand received multiple awards and nominations. At the 75th Academy Awards, The Pianist won Oscars for Best Director (Roman Polanski), Best Adapted Screenplay (Ronald Harwood) and Best Actor (AdrienBrody), and was also nominated for four other awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. The film was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival,[1] BAFTA Award for Best Film,BAFTA Award for Best Direction in 2003 and seven French Césars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Brody.
Plot
In 1939, Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish-Polish pianist, has his radiostation rocked from German bombing with Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland and the subsequent outbreak of World War II. Hoping for a quick victory, Szpilman rejoices with family at home when learningthat Britain and France have declared war on Germany. However, Germans defeat Poland and capture Warsaw. Living conditions for the Jews deteriorate, as they are allowed a limited amount of money andlater must wear armbands with the Star of David. By November 1940, they are forced into horrid and humiliating conditions in the Warsaw Ghetto, where Szpilman's family witness how the SS raid an...