I especially appreciate this movie for portraying people as real as it gets. There are no only good or bad sides here. It shows us that the war never really changed poeple to mindless warmongering zombies. There were bad and good people everywhere. The story of a young Jewish radio pianist is interesting as the perspective is shown from his secret flat provided by the Polish. Everything he experienced most of the time was viewing from his apartment`s window. The apocalyptic reality of ghettos also have some time in this movie so we can see how he Germans treated their slaves. The character played by Adrien Brody is likeable and interesting to the point we want to stick with the story. And in this movie we see another page of history which is Germans destroying Warsaw. In the end I felt sorry for Wilm Hosenfeld and I reflected upon how unjust and random war is.… Expand

In my humble opinion, this film tops both "Schindler's List" and "Life is Beautiful". I was getting tired of the same thing: "We must never forget." This movie is about a man's survival and it happens to be during the Holocaust. This story is told with a "raw" truth. There are no fancy film tricks or fx. The thing that stays most with me is Adrien Brody's metamorphosis. He starts off as a normal human being but by the end of the movie you can look into his eyes and see an absence of something. All that mattered was surviving. This is a film that every Jew and everyone should see. If this picture should win any Oscars, which it should, it will not be because its about the Holocaust, but rather because it is great filmmaking! … Expand

One of the best films to see WWII through the eyes of survivor, not a warrior, simply heart-wrenching yet magnificent, my favorite from Polanski

Polanski gives us the horror of Nazi occupation not only from within the Warsaw ghetto but from within the trapped soul of the central character. Because the film sticks subjectively close to its hero we feel the full weight of being hounded and hunted. Few films have caught such frightening sense of doom and isolation. The title of the movie is almost an ironic joke--what good is a pianist amidst the horror?--yet the meaning of artistic passion lingers and survives as one of the last vestiges of humanity and positive values in a cruel world. Unsentimental, heartstopping, and brutal but never without deep, committed moral sense. A welcome antidote in the age of Tarantino whose films after Reservoir Dogs have goaded us into laughing like hyenas at inhumanity. … Expand

Absolutely the most beautiful picture I've ever seen. It made me feel things I've never felt before. My god, how I hate Hitler and the Nazis.

This film left me breathless, and the images brought to the audience stayed with me until now, even though it has two weeks since I watched it. I have no doubt at all that the images will remain forever. Adrien Brody portrayal of Wladyslaw Szpilman was completely deserving of the Oscar, I commend you, AMPAS. May you keep up this level of voting for many coming years.

This film is brilliant. Unlike most holocaust films, it does not try to tug at heart strings and make people cry. It doesn't try to tell a story of a hero who saves the world. In a sense, this is probably the most realistic holocaust film because it's about a man who simply wants to survive. And the only thing the Germans can't take from him is his talent and love for music. From the first shot of Brody in a room by himself, you get the idea that this film is about a man's isolation in the world. And later on you will see many scenes of him by himself. Alone in a world with only his art. This is one of Polanski's best films! For all those who respect his great work, you will see he's returned to his roots. This is a harsh film, but a real film. A MUST SEE!!!!… Expand

I guess since I think this is the best picture of the year, I have to rate it a 10! I had read parts of the novel "Beach Music" awhile ago, and many of the brutal scenes in the ghetto reminded me of the book. Polanski does a great job here conveying what things were like at that time, and I had a nightmare that evening trying to go to sleep. I'm not sure the Academy will recognize "another Holocaust movie" after "Life is Beautiful" and "Schindler's List", but this ranks up there with the both of them!… Expand

"The Pianist" is the story of a musician who survives the brutal and inhumane treatment by the Nazis of the Jews in Poland, his homeland. More importantly, it is a movie starring Adrian Broady which is based upon and true to the book "The Pianist" written by this musician 4 years after WWII. It is his personal story but it is also the general story of Nazi prejudice at its worst. It is not an easy movie to watch but it is an important movie to see. Directed by Roman Polanski, a survivor himself, the movie becomes a documentary depiciting one man's ability and good fortune to survive a terrible nightmare. I felt a real identification with his plight because he could have been any or every Jew in the world. The movie is historically accurate and quite well acted. Though pretty long in duration, it still gets a 9 rating because it tells its message well even though it spends a lot of time in the process. … Expand

An outstanding film... my pick for the best of 2002. Adrien Brody's performance is clearly Oscar-worthy. The beauty amid the horror is striking.

Robert you are on the money. The Pianist by far blows away the competition for Best Motion Picture. It demonstrates just one man's struggle to survive so you can feel his pain during his 6 tortured years. This is a must see movie for everyone.

Definitely one of the best movies of the year. Although over 2 hours long, one just sits nervously on the edge of his seat and wonders if not for the grace of God how did this man ever survive? After watching this horror of just 60 short years ago, I now understand why Saddam must be stopped and stoppped now! As the credits roll at the end of the film, no one utters a sound. That is how moving The Pianist is!… Expand

There aren't enough superlatives to write what a masterpiece this film truly is. Do not be surprised it it is the dark horse to win Best Picture. It is much deserving as is Roman Polanski. This is a film that will stay with you long after you have left the theater.

Saw the movie today after all the Oscars last night. All that I can say is "WOW". This is the best movie I have seen in many many years. It would not have surprised me if it had won best picture because it willl stay with the viewer for a long time. The Academy finally got it right.

I recently watched this movie and was absolutely blown away as it was simply exceptional. In today's troubled times, it's ironic that as the world is at the brink of war, The Pianist, is as topical now as it was back in 1939. I cannot help but think that the parallel between the two is the same. The world community is divided in that many simply wish to bury their heads in the sand, rather than take a preemptive position to stand up for those who are unable to defend themselves. That is exactly what happened as Hitler marched his way to power as the world stood idly by in the 1930s. In the Pianist, you watch in horror as the Polish people are first invaded, then the Jews are singled out. Walls are built in the ghetto, and one by one, every human right and dignity is stripped away. Finally, all that remains is the basic human will to survive whatever the cost? As you watch the scenes unfold, it is quite evident that the Polish people are praying for America, Great Britain, and France to come to their aid. Unfortunately, our policy then was to hope we would not become involved? Then December 7, 1941, happened! We were caught off guard and forced into WW II. As a result, America saved the world from evil, but at a price that cost many their lives. One must ask themselves what would have happened if we had stood up to the bully long before 1941? In 2003, we face an identical situation again with Saddam. It is impossible to believe how the French are not with the United States? If not for we, Americans, the French would be speaking German today. The Pianist is timely in that it demonstrates the price to the entire world when moral decent human beings do not band together? If we do not learn from history, then we are bound to repeat it. If for no other reason, everyone who reads this review should go see this movie. If Saddam is not disarmed now, then it is only a matter of time until an event much larger than September 11th occurs. It is no longer true that our oceans protect America from attack. … Expand

Without a doubt one of the finest movies made in many years. If The Pianist does not stay with you after you leave the theater, then you are not breathing.

I always wondered how people stood idly by and permitted the Holocaust to occur? As I watched the scenes in The Pianist unfold, it finally gave me that realization. I watched in quiet agony, as one by one, each human right was stripped away. The sad part is that the people went along with the requests (Nazi orders) until they had been beaten into the ground. It was only then at the very bottom that rebels started to fight back. As we look at history, there is a very strong similarity to Saddam and Hitler. What if some nation had the courage and conviction to stand up to the bully before his march to power? At the conclusion of the film not one person utters a word as the credit rolls. I was just overwhelmed with the emotion of this film. It will stay with you long after you leave the theater. The Pianist is very much deserving of all the accolades it has received. … Expand

Konrad is on the money with his review. The most amazing thing about The Pianist is that if this happened in America, our reaction would not be any different from what happened in Poland. At first, we would just ignore the insults and the taking away of basic rights as that of a short term maniacal dictator. We would think that sooner or later, someone would stand up to the bully. But, unfortunately, as we all now know, history has taught us that if WE do not stand down the bully and take action ourselves, we are doomed. The Pianist reveals this sobriety in its most ugly form. We watch in horror as we feel the pain of a good man and a wonderful family. Man's will to survive usurps all other needs. The story presents bad Jews acting as the police for the Nazi's, and good non-Jews helping Jews, as well as high ranking Nazi's comprehending the pain and suffering they were inflicting and trying to make a difference. All of the raw emotion good and bad is presented to the viewer from all perspectives. This is a must see film for all that is a true masterpiece. It is much deserving of all the accolades it has received.… Expand

Unquestionably one of the best movies made in the last decade. The proof is that after you leave the theater, you will never never forget what you saw. An absolute masterpiece.

An absolute brilliant masterpiece that simply takes your breath away. Kudo's to all for this superlative work of art.

The best movie made in many a year. It will stay with you forever.

An absolute masterpiece!

It is extremely rare that a motion picture lives up to the hype that it receives? The Pianist is that and more. There aren't enough superlatives to describe how artistic and moving this film is. It is the perfect movie and will stay with you forever.

A moving and touching film. Adrien Brody's performance was worth every bit of that gold in his Oscar!

One of the best films i've seen. The story is engrossing and the effects are incredible. It captives the reality of the Holocaust and the struggle that they had to go through. This is indeed a worthy movie of keeping in your dvd collection.

When this movie finished all I could think about was how very little I really have to complain about. Just because it is of the holocaust theme doesn't mean it necessarily deserves top marks - but this film wins because of it's realism, some of which is brutal to watch. I wanted him to join in on the Jewish revolt, and almost expected it in a way, but this is a true story not a Hollywood one.… Expand

Its been about a year since Ive seen this movie, and I appreciate it more and more every time I think about it. A great movie.

This is a beautiful movie i almost cried! i would recommend this as a good movie to watch when you are in a mood that you feel the need to see someone suffering besides yourself.

A masterpiece! One of the greatest movies of recent years and a classic for all time. The acting, locations, editing, music and direction are all astonishing. A magnificant film for true fans of cinema. A MUST SEE.

Explosively emotional and horrifically poignant, THE PIANIST just might be the best film of a great year of film simply because of the things it does not do. It does not present pronographically gruesome violence, nor does it waddle in sentimental hogwash. it is merely a simple story of a man who fought to live in a harsh atmosphere. Beautiful and haunting, THE PIANIST will crawl under your skin and haunt you forever.… Expand

Without question the best movie in this or any other year. The audience sits in complete stunned silence as we watch the events unfold. The comment by the 16-year old that it was "not exciting" only proves that he is completely blind to history. If there ever was an insensitive statement his takes the cake. The Pianist is an absolute must see movie for everyone. If it does not win the OSCAR for Best Picture there is no justice? Roman Polanski's true story about Poland's Wladslaw Szpilman who miraculously escaped death during the Holocaust and lived to the ripe old age of 88 is his best work ever! Roman is completely deserving of the OSCAR for Best Director.… Expand

Phat Man I will excuse you because you're only 16 years old. "It wasn't exciting?" Young man, do you realize that this was a true story? Would you find it exciting if every one of your basic rights was taken away from you along with your possessions? Would you find it exciting if you learned that your entire family had been tortured and murdered? Phat Man, this is a movie that should be shown in school because if you do not learn from history, you are bound to repeat it. I would hope that you rethink your choice of words? Without a doubt this may be the best movie to be made in decades. How he survived Hitler's wrath to tell this story is a miracle from God.… Expand

The best movie I've seen in a while. But I think many people are mistaken as to what to what this film portrays. Yes, it takes place during the Holocaust; yes, the Jews fight back; yes, horrible atrocities are shown. This movie, however, is not really about those things; it's about a man who not only survives all these atrocities, but must rely on other people to do so. It is about surviving in isolation, but also about being helped. It's also important to go in knowing that it is a true story and that Szpilman survives, because that allows you to focus on his survival rather than if he will. … Expand

I hereby condemn all those critics who do not give this film a 95 or higher and all users who don't give this film a 10.

Bravo to the Academy for getting it right. Brody and Polanski were much deserving in receiving their OSCARS. With all due respect to CHICAGO, The Pianist could have easily have captured BEST PICTURE as it is classic. Kudo's to everyone involved for bringing such a magnificent heart wrenching story to the silver screen. This is a film about survival as well as good and evil people in all walks of life that we come in contact with. … Expand

Absolutely riveting movie that will stay with you long after you have left the theater. Tremendous acting, directing and cinematography. The Pianist was well deserving of its multiple awards. It definitely was the best picture with apologies to Chicago. Go see it.

I just saw The Pianist and all I can say is that it takes your breath away. The impact of this film is simply overpowering. The acting, directing and story are superb as is the cinematography. As for anyone calling this movie "boring", just go see it, and you will have a better understanding how history is made. This is truly one of the best pictures ever made and is destined to become a classic.

I have always been interested in the holocaust and was keen to see this film as soon as I heard about it. It went far past my expectations and I felt shivers the whole way through as I sat on my sea wondering how on earth he managed to survive in that terrible conditions of Warsaw. It was a miracle he survived, and he ended up being one of only 20 surviving Jews in Warsaw out of 360,000 hat has to be a truly harrowing statistic. Another harrowin thign for me was that I actually watched this film in a cinema which has been built where the Warsaw ghetto used to be. I was sitting in the place where one of the most horrific events of history occured just 60 years ago. i think everyone should see this film and appreicate everything it has to offer. It is worth a 10 and will always be worth a 10.… Expand

Delvin, you are on the money. I saw this 6 weeks ago and cannot get it out of my head. Everyone else who has seen it feels the same way. It is a masterpiece on film.

Among the best, if not "the best," holocaust films ever made.

A brilliant movie, from the first scene to the last. You feel like you're surviving along with Szpilman (Brody).

A great story, one my favorite world war 2 movies, a sense of realism and compassion with the characters is my favorite effects of the move.(i also like the realistic brutality)

An outstanding and amazing masterpiece! This is probably Roman Polanski's best film. I feel this movie really shows the horrifying truth of what really happened to jewish citizens in Poland during World War II. This film is only for the strong-stomached though. It is extremely disturbing and morbidly shocking! There is one scene that really disturbed me! It was the scene where all these Nazi soldiers went into a house where a jewish family lived, while they were sitting down enjoying their dinner. The Nazis made them stand up and show them respect, and since their grandfather was in a wheelchair, it would be the impossible for him to stand up. Just to be mean, the Nazis picked up the poor elderly man's wheelchair, took him to the balcony, threw him out out of his wheelchair and over the balcony. During this scene you see his impact on the cold Polish sidewalk and his skull cracking open,you hear his family crying and screaming, and you hear the Nazis laughing and clapping in triumph! I was none other than shocked by that scene, but knew that were the things that really happened there, and Polanski (Roman) was just doing it to tell the story very truthful, and exactly how it went down. The major highlight of this movie I must say is Adrien Brody's absolutley compelling performance as a Polish Jewish composer in hiding during the holocaust. In result of this film, Brody (Adrien) has proven himself worthy of being in the acting category with such actors as Hopkins, Brando, DuVall and yes, DeNiro. There is only one guarantee with this film, it will make you reflect, cry, laugh at parts, and really make you grateful of what you have. This film is a definite nominee of Oscars! It even rivals 1993's Best Picture Winner, Schindler's List. There is no way you can miss this film, see it soon! (2/3/03)… Expand

Omg, i luved this movie , it was so sad i even cried. it was so inspirational how he went through all the horrible things going on for his passion for music brody performance was great i give it 10.

Best holocaust movie i have ever seen in my life, the acting is amazing the way they show emotions in the film is amazing everything about this film is amazing!

Fantastic polanski has created the best WW2 film i have ever seen i cannot beleive my eyes!

What is it with some viewers? Are they babies who have to be spoon fed every emotion? Polanski doesn't try to hit you over the head and instead just lets the story slowly build. Many of the images in this film are unbelievable and leave you filled with horror. At the end of the film when Brody is back in the radio studio playing the piano (where the film began) we understand EXACTLY what he is feeling when he looks at his friend who has walked into the sound room. I guess some people need to be hit with a baseball bat in order to feel anything. The low votes for this film are just a reflection of our dumbed down and numbed culture.… Expand

It just does not get much better than this. This film does not make use of elaborate or groundbraking camera techniques, doesn't over-play it's coloring or even it's wonderful sets- Roman allowed the story to speak greatly for itself. In simplicity, this film achieved more than Space Odyssey did with all it's grandeur, in my opinion. My mother, a professional musician, asked why it was called 'The Pianist', as there wasn't much applicable piano playing in the movie- but the title is about so much more than that. To me, it basically hands you the character on a silver platter- music is all he is, and is such an underlying force in his survival. The scene where the officer tells him to play once he's been found in the house, I could feel that passion of returning to his own little world. Music creates that head space for him and he becomes unaware of the officer, just being able to get rid of so much pent-up emotion that it makes me cry every time I see it. Adrien Brody is beyond belief, keeping his performance subtle and relying on the strength of the character and the force of the story to bring this one to life. Like I said, this movie never resorts to visual over-stimulation (although that has it's place) but still manages to give you a photographic piece of art to accompany the majesty of the film itself. One of the few in my DVD collection.… Expand

The Pianist, a movie depicting the holocaust of Nazi like Schindler's List, arouse me a question that is why the western people could not pay more attention to Nanjiang Massacre. Even some of them never heard the history. Only during WW II from Dec.,1938 to Jun.,1939, more than 300,000 people was killed by Japanese army in their own country. I suppose maybe this history can be good materials for a historic movie.… Expand

Because I am a classical pianist, I went to see this movie simply because of its title. I didn't take the time to read what the film was about. I expected to see a story about a young pianist who falls in love with his music teacher (or something to that effect); instead, I was presented with a dreadful portrait of human degradation and suffering. I was mesmerized (you could hear a pin drop throughout the entire screening). Adrien Brody's portrayal of a true-to-life master pianist who survived the Nazi attrocities was sensitive, skilled, and refined. This is the finest movie about the Holocoast I have seen to date. The audience broke into applause twice at the end of the film (we remained in our seats until the last credits were run -- too affected to move). … Collapse

Finally a movie worth seeing. Absolutely brilliantly acted, directed and choreographed. Should win Best Picture and Director. Kudo's to all who dared to make this masterpiece.

How refreshing to see a well made movie? This is an absolute masterpiece. Kudo's to all for making a movie that so powerfully hits the audience. It will stay with me for a long time. Bravo!

A memorable, classic Holocaust account. Brody is terrific.

Absolutely devastating. Although, as a whole, it never reaches the level of Spielberg's 'Schindler's List', The Pianist includes scenes which are more shocking, chilling and casually baneful as well as mindblowing suspense and drama, I feel it would be an insult to give this virtuosic piece of filmmaking anything less than a 10. The reason for this is, it is an injustice to both Schindler's List and The Pianist to compare the two films. Indeed, they both contain Holocaust street scenes of German atrocities but The Pianist is about one mans survival, it is not designed to be passionate and touching but simply emotionally numbing. It was as though the film read my mind as the film rolled on. I asked myself, 360 000 Jews, why don't some revolt? Surely it's better to die fighting for freedom than lying down on a icy road? And then I was granted with one of the most incredible scenes of the movie, something that was notably absent from other Holocaust films, Jews fighting back against their oppressors. Then I wondered, surely amongst all those German's, their must have been some that were genuinely disturbed and horrified at the crimes they were told to commit? And I thought, it would be nice to see a Holocaust movie depicting a German officer who was not just a ruthless bastard. And then came another incredible scene, an officer that I didn't feel vehement hatred for. You can bitch and moan all you want about Holocaust movies, but don't you dare take it out on a masterpiece like The Pianist.… Expand

This movie is a great move to see. It portrays the Holocaust very graphically and seems so real. There are some parts that are shocking. Every moment of this movie is filled with thrills and fear and yet the beautiful sound of the piano makes this movie unique. I was comepletely touched by this movie and really felt that war is a horrifying thing that human beings have created.

I really wish that i could rate this movie above a 10. No fake looking effects, no stupid humer or pointless plot. A searous tone throught the movie accompanyed by the horrid events will leave the viewer woried for the characters well being. Out of every movie i've seen i've never been more interested or moved by the content of a movie. I would recomend this movie to every one who ever watched a movie.… Expand

AMAZING UNBELIEVABLE. One of the best movies i have ever seen!! I would write a full review but thats been done.

Spectacular film. hard to call it polanski's best since Chinatown is may be one of the top 5 films of all time, but if you don't feel incredibly moved by the film - check you pulse, because you might be dead.

It's the exact copy of Wladyslaw Szpilman's memories.

Sorry, machine translation. Thanks. Untermensch - Lower The music helps us to live, indeed to survive. One survivor, if still of sound mind, can not have memory. And the memory "music" of a pianist, is very long term. The music also helps to seek, to find and hope for our hero, to forgive. So I understand. But who is our hero? His name is Wladyslaw Szpilman Adrien Brody / is the famous pianist of the "Warsaw Ghetto", his talent has crossed the Polish borders. Szpilman familiar chromatic scales, those that give color; insignificant harmonica in his hands takes vivacity. Among other things, the implementation of the Study op. 10 No. 2 by Frederic Chopin, which requires a special technique of execution, not for nothing is unprepared. Moreover, our Wladyslaw, Chopin knows everything, really everything. The story goes that when Chopin composed the op. 10 No. 2, was inspired by a mouse, quickly seen running to his room. Szpilman has seen much else in his Warsaw Germans, many, "armed in the soul" with the most powerful poisons, HATRED. Ready for anything, to destroy everything, to "destroy inside." It all began in September 1939. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 23, 1939 is a done deal. Consequence of this is the invasion and division of Polish territory by the Russians and Germans. I am the latter, the co-stars in the film directed by Roman Polanski. I said, the German planes begin bombing Warsaw at the same time, the camera captures our pianist, impassive, calm, almost disinterested in studies of Warsaw radio, while continuing to play the C # 20 Nocturno, Op posth- F. Chopin. It is 'forced' to vanish quickly when another explosion shatters all the glass panes of the studio and beyond. E ', this, the last sonata "live". E '1945, the "reborn" Polish studies, incorporate the same hands to put pressure on blacks and white keys of a piano. The piece by Chopin "violently interrupted" resumes its "path". The mind and hands of the "survivor" are stylistically synchronous. Chopeniani enthusiasts who have had the good fortune to listen to before the events and now are not slow to realize that the anxiety and pessimism gives way to a romance aimed at all "to escape" the thought and memory, while not forgetting. But what has happened in all these years to the Szpilman family, our composer, to the thousands of Polish Jews? What imparts the "INFINITE" circular Nazi? What are Judenräte? What role occupies the Wehrmacht officer, Captain Wilm Hosenfeld? Thomas Kretschmann / seen by our "the only human being wearing the German uniform I have ever known." Polanski, finally finds the strength to tell and tell. In fact, the story told is an excerpt from the memoirs of Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, written after the war. The director, at the time a child is imprisoned in the Krakow ghetto. The facts narrated are not at all "handled". What happens in the ghetto is told without rhetoric. "Beyond the wall," Jews are accomplices Jews who have grown rich on the backs of other Jews, there is a whole underwater life. But not intentionally. I think. Choosing is not easy when you find yourself alone in front of the "certainty of death." He who saves a soul is as if he saved the entire universe is written in the Talmud. Wilm Hosenfeld will ever have a tree dedicated in the Garden of the Righteous in Jerusalem? And today? The Second World War is over? My answer is no. A long appendix of global tragedies following the tragic events. The man still does not learn from his mistakes. And Italy? Italy is a country at war. But who knows? And the cinema? The cinema has a duty to tell / inform, if you like. The viewer has the duty to investigate / guard, if you like. It is of free thought. And this I do not give up. "The Pianist" won: Two 2002 Oscar - Best Director Roman Polanski s best actor Adrien Brody /; Cannes Film Festival 2002 - Palme d'Or for Best Film with Roman Polanski; David di Donatello 2003 - Best foreign film with Roman Polanski.… Expand

The Pianist is a poignant and amazing adaptation of a man's spell-bounding survival in Warsaw during the Holocaust! Roman Polanski brings forth fantastic directing that moves a movie viewer to his deepest heart! Additionally, Adrien Brody captivates all with his well deserved Oscar winning perfomance treating us all with a performance of a lifetime!

When this movie came out ten years ago, it received much critical acclaim. Somehow, I never got around to watching it. The other night I noticed it was available on Netflix streaming, so I decided to watch.

This was an amazing movie. To me, it was more moving than Schindler's List. Adrien Brody's acting was top notch and the direction was great.

Roman Polanski's monumental, shocking, and - most of all - uplifting biopic not only features Adrien Brody's greatest acting turn, but some truly unshakable imagery.