Amazon Prime Video original film The Pianist was released March 28th, 2003.
#ThePianist made $120M at the international box office.
rottentomatoes: 95%
metacritic: 85
imdb: 8.5
oscars: 3 wins
SAG awards: 1 nomination
golden globes: 2 nominations
palme d’or: winner
Wladyslaw Szpilman
Wladek Szpilman is a concert pianist in Warsaw, Poland.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
1 win: 2003
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
1 nomination: 2003
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
1 nomination: 2003
“Hello. Who are you? It’s nothing. Jurek, where have you been hiding her? No, no, no, it’s a little cut. It’s nothing. What are you doing? They’ve bombed us, we’re off the air. Where are we going? Out of Warsaw where? Heard what? No. What do you think you’ll do while they’re setting up your new line of defense? Wander around lugging your suitcases? I’m not going anywhere. Look. Look. If I’m going to die, I prefer to die in my own home, staying put.” — Wladek Szpilman
“Mm, yes. It certainly was. Oh, really? That’s a change. We use what? Are you stupid? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. Of course they’ll notice it. Look. Look here. Idiot. It won’t take hours. Don’t know. You’ll find out. Jurek? It’s Wladek Szpilman. Fine, fine. We’re fine, thank you. And you? Yes, I know, but Jurek– I know, Jurek– well, maybe, maybe not, but, um… listen, don’t be offended, but I didn’t call to discuss my future career. I tell you, meeting you like that was absolutely wonderful. Yes. It was… it was unforgettable. Call me Wladek, please. I hope that’s a compliment. No, I was trying to be funny.” — Wladek Szpilman
“Should we got to the Paradiso, have a coffee? And you, what do you do? Oh, you’re a musician? I’m sorry, what instrument? I love to see a woman playing the cello. You know what people are like, they want to be better Nazis than Hitler. No, it’s better not, believe me. We’ll find somewhere else. No, we can’t. It’s an official decree. No Jews allowed in the park. I’m not joking, it’s true. I suggest we just sit on a bench somewhere, but it’s another official decree, no Jews allowed on public benches. I’ll tell you what we can do, we can just stand here and talk. I mean, I think we’re allowed to do that, don’t you? So, you play the cello, Dorota? That’s nice. And what’s your favorite composer? Chopin? Really? Well, you’ll have to learn to play his Cello Sonata, won’t you? And what about you, Wladek? Perhaps I could accompany you. Me on the piano, you on the cello. Call me Wladek, please.” — Wladek Szpilman
“Let– let me see this. What? What, what? I’m working, what? What is this? What do you mean, ‘put us?’ They won’t get all of us. It’s too small. There’s 400,000 of us in Warsaw. Take it. Dorota. Hello. Hi. How are you doing? Good. It won’t last long. Don’t worry. I, uh, I should, um… well, I’ll… I’ll see you. Soon. Good-bye. Where will we sleep? Sell anything? I know. I’m sorry, I haven’t. I’m afraid not. Thank you, I’ve got work.” — Wladek Szpilman
“Who wants me to stop? You have to give me something to do. I wanna help, I wanna do something. Who is that? You know, there are notices going up. ‘City is to be cleansed of undesirables.’ How do you do? Toilets, huh? Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Come on, come on, come on. Come on, boy. Stand up! Stand up. Stand up. Come on, stand up. It’s not funny. What? What are you talking about my tie for? What does my tie have to do with anything? Huh? I need this tie for my work. Yes, that’s right, I work. Parasites. And you blame me for their apathy, right? For what? For my tie?” — Wladek Szpilman
“What’s happened? What’s happened? What? What? What? All right. Go home, all right? Go home, I’ll take care of it. I’m afraid not. What happened here? Excuse me. Excuse me. Itzak? Itzak? Itzak, it’s Wladek Szpilman. Here. Henryk’s in there. Believe me. They picked him up. Can you help? Can you help us? I have no money. Itzak, they told me you had influence. People. People I know. They said you’re an important man. Itzak.” — Wladek Szpilman
“Why’d they pick you up? You’re out, aren’t you? No, I didn’t grovel. No. I asked him to help you. With what could I pay him? With what? Every zloty I earn we spend on food. They were taking you away. You’re mad. That’s your trouble, is you’re mad. Hey. Hey. Hey. What’s the matter? What’s the matter, are you sick? Employment certificate. What’s that mean, no employment certificate? Otherwise what? Oh, God! Not this week. Have you heard the rumors? They’re going to resettle us in the east. I’ve been trying to get the certificate of employment for my father. I managed to get one for me and the rest of my family, but I need another one for my father, and I’ve been to all the firms and shops– I didn’t know you were in the certificate business. Can you help? I have no money. The bright side. Yes, I know.” — Wladek Szpilman
“We’re all employed. We’ve got work permits. I’m sorry, I did my best. I thought the certificates would save us. I’m sorry. Stupid. Stupid. What are you reading? Very appropriate.” — Wladek Szpilman
Father Szpilman
“I don’t know what to take. What do you think, should I– should I take Uncle Szymon’s portrait? Oh. He’ll come home, he’ll be all right. I can’t find anything. What did I tell you? The government’s moved to Lublin. There’s hardly anybody left in this building. Only the women, the men are all gone. That’s wonderful! Wonderful! Oh, thank God. Oh! Wonderful! Wonderful!”
“Well, here’s to Great Britain and France. I told you, didn’t I tell you? All will be well. Oh! Five thousand and three. Yes. five thousand and three zlotys, all we’ve got left. No, no, no. I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll use tried and tested methods. Do you know what we did in the last war? We made a hole in the table leg… …and hid the money in there. Idiot, what would they want with a table, eh? Table like this? Will I still be able to play?”
“‘RE: Emblems for Jews in Warsaw district. I hereby order that all Jews in the Warsaw district will wear visible emblems when out of doors. This decree will come into force on the first of December, 1939, and applies to all Jews over 12 years of age. The emblem will be worn on the right sleeve and will represent a blue Star of David. The background must be sufficiently large for the start to measure eight centimeters from point to point. The width of the arms of the star must be one centimeter. Jews who do not respect this decree will be severely punished. Governor of Warsaw district. Dr. Fischer.’ Doesn’t it say we have to provide these armbands ourselves? Where will we get them?”
“I beg your pardon. Well, to tell you the truth, I thought it would be worse. He brought cakes. His, uh, his father is back in the jewelry business. He’s doing well, eh, Itzak? Amazing, jewelry.”
“I blame the Americans. American Jews, and there are lots of them. What have they done for us, eh? What do they think they’re doing? People here are dying. Haven’t got a bite to eat. The Jewish bankers over there should be persuading America to declare war on Germany.”
“Thank you. At least we got work in the ghetto, eh? At least we are still together. I can hear you. Dr. Ehrlich, not so loud. Dr. Ehrlich, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to fight? He’s right. What do you think I can do, fight them with my violin bow?”
Mother Szpilman
“You always take too much. How many suitcases are you taking? Take it, don’t take it, take what you like. Can’t you see I’m worried sick? You should have another case, just– thank God, Wladek! You’re wounded? I’ve been worried sick. Henryk, Henryk, don’t say things like– mind! Don’t say things like that. God forbid. God forbid. Pack, darling, get your things. Pack. Out of Warsaw. Pack, Wladek, there’s no time for this. Don’t be ridiculous, we’ve got to keep together. God forbid.”
“Well, when there’s something to celebrate, you’ve got to make an effort. Huh? Is that all? What are we supposed to do with the rest? What do you mean take the table away? Do they? What on earth are you doing? No, that is very good, because that’s the last– we’re not in a hurry, and we’d get it back.”
“What am I supposed to do? You tell me. 20 zlotys! That’s all we hae left, 20 zlotys. What can I buy with 20 zlotys? I am sick of cooking potatoes, potatoes, potatoes. I’ll sleep in the kitchen with the girls. You, Henryk and Papa, in here. Good, they’re here. Itzak Heller has been waiting for you. Sit down, have tea. I’ll start lunch when the girls get here.”
“Please, tonight, for once, I don’t want anything bad talked about. Enjoy our meal. I said nothing bad, Henryk. Boys. Boys! Stop it, Wladek.”
“Henryk! Halina, Henryk! Halina! Henryk!”
Henryk Szpilman
“I told her not to worry. You had your papers on you. If you’d been hit by a bomb, they’d have known where to take you. Warsaw is not the only radio station. Shut up, I’ve got something. Listen.”
“Mama, that was a great dinner. Banks! Who’d be stupid enough to deposit money in a German bank? And suppose they take the table away? The Germans go into Jewish homes and they just take what they want. Furniture, valuables, anything. No, no, no, listen. Listen. I’ve been thinking– you know what we do? We use psychology. We leave the money and the watch on the table and we cover it like this, in full view. The Germans will search high and low. I promise you, they’ll never notice. And you call me stupid. This would take hours. How will you get them out? Tell me that. Tell me how, I’d like to know. How would you get them out?”
“I won’t wear it. We’re not going to get them. We’re not going to wear them. No, 360,000. So it will be easy. Get out, you thief! We’d rather give it away. Go on, get out! Just one. Dosteovsky, The Idiot. Three zlotys. It’s better than yesterday. Three lousy zlotys. And there are people that are making millions. You don’t know, believe me. They bribe the guards, the guards turn a blind eye. They’re bringing in cartloads of food, tobacco, liquor, French cosmetics. And the poor are dying all around and they don’t give a damn.”
“Don’t worry about it. They’re about to build a bridge. Haven’t you heard? What’s this about? So, what are you doing here? Who’s recruiting? Ah! More Jewish police! You mean, you want me to beat up Jews with my truncheon and catch the Gestapo spirit, I see. But why me? I thought you only recruited boys with rich fathers. Look at my father, look at us, I mean– yes, please.”
“Fine. Then I’ll tell you something funny. You all know, who I mean by Dr. Raszeja? The surgeon. Well, for some reason, don’t ask me why, the Germans allowed him into the ghetto to perform an operation. He got a pass, that’s all I know. Anyway, so he puts the patient to sleep and starts the operation. He’s just made the first incision when the SS burst in, shoot the patient lying on the table, then shoot Dr. Raszeja and everybody else who was there. Isn’t that a laugh? The patient didn’t feel a thing, he was anesthetized. What’s the matter with you all? Huh? Huh? You lost your sense of humor? Well, you know what’s funny? You’re funny, with that ridiculous tie. Your work? Yes. Yes, your work. Playing the piano for the parasites in the ghetto. Parasites. They don’t give a damn about people suffering– I do, because I see it every day. They don’t even notice what’s going on around them. Lights! Lights!”
“So you go to Itzak Heller? Did I ask you to talk to him? Did you beg? Did you grovel to that piece of shit? What did you pay him? I can look after myself. It’s got nothing to do with you. It’s me they wanted, not you. Why do you have to interfere with other people’s business? That’s also my business. Hungry. You have to have an employment certificate now to work for one of the German firms in the ghetto, otherwise– you’ll be deported. They’re going to resettle us, send us to labor camps in the east. And they’re closing the small ghetto.”
“‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, we do not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’ Yes. That’s why I brought it.”
Halina Szpilman
“Papa, Wladek’s home. I used it for packing. All able-bodied-men must leave the city, go across the river, set up a new line of defense. That’s what it said. Good. I’m not going anywhere either.”
“Deposit it in a bank. A blocked account. We could hide the money. Look here. We can hide the money under the flowerpots. Listen. Look. This is the best place for it. No one would think of looking under the flowerpots. No one listens to me! She’s a lawyer, she likes order.”
“Have you seen this? It’s where they’re going to put us. ‘By order of the governor of the Warsaw district, Dr. Fischer, there will be created a Jewish district in which all Jews living in Warsaw or moving to Warsaw will have to reside.’ Look here. ‘Jews living outside of the prescribed area will have to move to the Jewish district by 31st of October, 1940.’ Mama? Mama, what is it?”
“Look. Come and look. On a Jew? They allowed a Pole to come in to operate on a Jew? Excuse me? I’m Mr. Szpilman’s sister. Come. It’s terrible. They’re hunting people in the streets. They’ve taken Henryk.”
“I wanted to be with you. I wanted to be with you. She’s getting on my nerves. What did she do, for God’s sake?”
Regina Szpilman
“I’m packing my best dress. Mama, Wladek is home! Has anybody seen my hat with the wide brim? You haven’t heard? Haven’t you seen the paper? Where’s the paper? She used it for packing.”
“It’s 3,003 zlotys too much. Look. ‘RE: Further restrictions regarding liquid assets. Jews will be allowed to keep a maximum of 2,000 zlotys in their homes.’ Quiet! Order please! Quiet, please, quiet. Order, order, please. Listen, just listen. Look. The watch we put under the flowerpots and the money we stuff in the violin.”
“I won’t wear it. I’m not going to be branded. But it’s a Bechstein, Mr. Lipa! Henryk, stop it! The surgeon? Shh! Shh! Quiet. Let’s just hope that Henryk and Halina will be better off. Where will we be going?”
Dorota
“Mr. Szpilman? I came especially to meet you. I love your playing. My name’s Dorota, I’m Jurek’s sister. You’re bleeding!”
“I nagged Jurek for weeks and weeks, at last he gave in and said, ‘all right, come with me tomorrow.’ So I came and they bombed the station. Really? I’ve always loved your playing, Mr. Szpilman No one plays Chopin like you. Of course, I mean it. I’d like that. I finished at the Conservatoire. Yes. But only just. The cello.”
“This is disgraceful. How dare they? Well, I’m going in there to complain. It’s so humiliating yo someone like you? We can walk in the park. My God. Are you joking? This is absurd. Mr. Szpilman, you’re quite, quite wonderful.”
“I didn’t want to come. I didn’t want to see all this, but I, I couldn’t stop myself. Fine. No, not really. They arrested my cousin. Jurek says they’ll let him out. This is disgraceful. That’s what I said, but still… it’s too absurd.”
Radio
“From the BBC in London. The British government having received no reply to the observations presented to the German government has declared war on Nazi Germany. It is expected that– within the next few hours, France will make a similar declaration. Poland is no longer alone.”
Warsaw, Poland
“Come on, Dorota, you can write him a fan letter later. This isn’t the best time. Come on.”
“Wladek, how are you? Fine, under the circumstances. But I guess what you called about– …there’s nothing we can do, they won’t reopen the station. Just won’t reopen the station. No music, nothing. No radio for the Poles. But I’m sure you’ll find work. A pianist like you, Wladek.”
“Good-bye.”
“Why didn’t you bow? You’re forbidden the pavement. In the gutter.”
“That’s the price. That’s what I’m offering. My advice is to accept. You won’t get more from anyone else. 2,000, and my advice is to take it. What are you gonna do when you’re hungry? Eat the piano? What’s the matter with you? Haven’t you eaten today? Hm? What you suffering from? You people are crazy. I’m doing you a favor. 2,000 and I’m paying for the removal. I’m not even charging for the removal! You haven’t eaten today. You’re crazy.”
“Go away. Go away! Go away! Papa, Papa, Papa! Excuse me, have you seen my husband, Izaak Szerman? A tall– a tall handsome man– with a little gray beard. No? All right, excuse me. Good-bye. Sleep well. But if you see him, write to me, yes? Izaak Szerman.”
“Why do we have to have a gentile street running through our area? Why can’t they go around? A bridge! A bridge! A schmidge. The Germans claim to be intelligent. Do you know what I think? I think they’re totally stupid. I have a family to feed. I spend half of my time here, waiting for them to let us through. Why do they think I come here? To listen to the music?”
“You’re cold? Dance! Come, come, dance! We’re recruiting. Don’t be clever with me, Hendryk. I’ve come here as a friend. They’re bringing Jews in from all over the country. Soon, there’ll be half million people in the ghetto. We need more Jewish police. Somebody’s got to do it, Henryk. Yes, I’m looking at you and that’s why I’m here. Your whole family can have a better life. You want to go on struggling for survival selling books in the street? I’m doing you people a favor. What about you, Wladek? You’re a great pianist and we’ve got an excellent police jazz band. They’d welcome you with open arms. Join us. You’ve got no work.”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, Wladek, he wants you to stop. I always say, look on the bright side. You’re in the small ghetto with intellectuals, professional people. You’re better off than us. Here in the large ghetto, it’s a cesspool. You’re an artist, Wladek. You keep people’s spirits up. You do enough. You’re too well known, Wladek. And you know what? You musicians don’t make good conspirators. You’re too… too musical. Symche. Majorek. There’s always notices going up. Hello, Symche. Dyrek. Mrs. Ysken. Yehuda, working hard? Majorek, this is the greatest pianist in Poland, maybe the whole world. Wladylsaw Szpilman, meet Majorek. I know your name. I’ve never heard you play. Majorek used to be in the Army. Brilliant man. The only thing I’ve got against him is he’s not a socialist. You better go now, Wladek. It’s nearly curfew. You know how many copies we print of our newspaper? 500. You know how many people on average read one copy? 20. That makes 10,000 readers. This will start the uprising. Majorek hides them in his underpants and leaves them in toilets. As many toilets as I can find. Germans never use Jewish toilets. They’re too clean for them.”
“Please, mister, please. Stop! Wait! Wait! Yes? Yes. Go in. Not you. Excuse me, have you seen my husband? Izaak Szerman? Tall, handsome, little gray beard. If you see him, write to me. Don’t forget. Izaak Szerman. They’ve got my grandson in there. They pick them up, they take them away. What do they do to them? I’ve stopped believing in God.”
“I haven’t seen him. Tough luck. Now you need me? Yes. Now you need me! It costs. Then there’s nothing I can do. You should have joined us when you had the chance. Who told you? Keep going. Keep going. Good day, Mr. Rubenstein. You bandit! Boom, boom, you’re dead! Dead! He’s really scaring me! Angels this high. Have a cigarette. Cigarette! Mm, thanks! We’re all the same. Of course, all people are the same. But the Germans are a little more same. All the same. All the same. He’s pretty nuts. Angels this high. Angels this high. All the same. Help! Help! A snatcher! A snatcher!”
“So, the rumors were true. Wladek? Wladek! I thought you’d be off on tour playing in London, Paris, New York, Chicago. You look terrible. Rumors, you take it all too much to heart, Wladek. What’s the trouble? Why didn’t you come to me? I’m not, but Majorek is. Please, don’t insult us. Can you do something for him? Be at the Schultz workshop tomorrow, four o’clock. See what a wonderful piece of luck you’ve had today? That’s the historical imperative in action. That’s why I always say, look on the bright side!”
“How’s your back? Better. Better? Better not ask. My pleasure. It won’t help you anyway. Thank you, Mr. Schultz.”
“All out! Into the yard! The rest of you, get dressed and report back here! Bring your belongings, only fifteen kilos! Where are you taking us? You’re going to work. You’ll be much better off than in the stinking ghetto. Move. Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I…? Don’t you have a drop of water? Don’t you have a drop of water? He’s dying. My child’s dying of thirst. I beg you. I beg you. Don’t you have a drop of water? I beg you. Can you hear what I’m saying? I’m telling you, it’s a disgrace. Letting them take us to our death like sheep to the slaughter. Why don’t we attack them? There’s half a million of us here. We can break out of the ghetto. At least we can die honorably, not as a stain on the face of history. Why are you so sure they’re sending us to our death? I’m not sure. You know why I’m not sure? Because they didn’t tell me. I’m telling you, they’re going to wipe us all out. To fight, we need organization, plan, guns.”
“The Germans would never squander a huge labor force like this. They’re sending us to a labor camp, it’s obvious. Oh, sure. Look at that cripple there, look at the old people, the children. They’re going to work? Look at you. What, are you going to carry iron girders on your back?”
“Why did I do it? Why did I do it? She smothered her baby. They prepared a hiding place. Well, of course they went there. But the baby cried just as the police came. She smothered the cries with her hands, the baby died. A policeman heard the death rattle and found where they were hiding.”
