The Pianist
A World War II film set in Warsaw, depicting events of 1939–1945
Synopsis
A Polish Jewish radio station pianist sees Warsaw change gradually as World War II begins.
Historical setting
The Pianist is Roman Polanski's adaptation of Władysław Szpilman's memoir. Szpilman, a celebrated pianist on Polish radio, survived the German occupation of Warsaw from the first bombs of 1939 through the sealing of the Warsaw Ghetto, the deportation of his entire family to Treblinka, and years spent hiding in the ruined city.
From his hiding places Szpilman witnesses the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and the citywide Warsaw Uprising of 1944; near the war's end he was discovered — and quietly helped — by the German officer Wilm Hosenfeld. The film won the Palme d'Or and three Academy Awards, with Adrien Brody becoming the youngest Best Actor winner and Polanski, himself a child survivor of the Kraków ghetto, taking Best Director.
The events portrayed in The Pianist take place in 1939–1945, during the Second World War. Explore the same period alongside other films on the WW2 timeline.
