🎞 MTDbBest ofBy yearBy genreBy runtimeBrowse (app)

MTDb › Best of › 2002 › The Pianist

The Pianist poster

The Pianist (2002)

“Music was his passion. Survival was his masterpiece.”

8.4/10 · 10,494 votes 2h 30m r DramaWar

#3 of 154 films from 2002 #33 of 3759 in drama

Directed by Roman Polanski · Written by Ronald Harwood

▶ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

The true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. When the Jews of the city find themselves forced into a ghetto, Szpilman finds work playing in a café; and when his family is deported in 1942, he stays behind, works for a while as a laborer, and eventually goes into hiding in the ruins of the war-torn city.

Cast

Adrien Brodyas Władysław 'Władek' Szpilman
Thomas Kretschmannas Captain Wilm Hosenfeld
Frank Finlayas Father
Maureen Lipmanas Mother
Emilia Foxas Dorota
Ed Stoppardas Henryk Szpilman
Julia Rayneras Regina Szpilman
Jessica Kate Meyeras Halina Szpilman
Michał Żebrowskias Jurek
Wanja Muesas SS Slapping Father
Richard Ridingsas Mr. Lipa
Nomi Sharronas Feather Woman
Anthony Milneras Man Waiting to Cross
Lucy Skeapingas Street Musician

Facts

Release dateSeptember 17, 2002
Runtime150 min (2h 30m) — longer as the 2002 average of 106 min
GenresDrama, War
LanguageEN
Budget$35,000,000
Box office$120,098,945 (3.4× budget)
IMDbtt0253474

More from Roman Polanski

ChinatownChinatown1974 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 10m Rosemary's BabyRosemary's Baby1968 · ★ 7.8 · 2h 18m The TenantThe Tenant1976 · ★ 7.6 · 2h 6m RepulsionRepulsion1965 · ★ 7.4 · 1h 45m CarnageCarnage2011 · ★ 7.2 · 1h 20m Venus in FurVenus in Fur2013 · ★ 7.2 · 1h 36m Death and the MaidenDeath and the Maiden1994 · ★ 7.1 · 1h 43m Bitter MoonBitter Moon1992 · ★ 7.1 · 2h 19m

If you liked The Pianist

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan1998 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 49m Inglourious BasterdsInglourious Basterds2009 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 33m Innocent VoicesInnocent Voices2005 · ★ 8.2 · 2h 0m IncendiesIncendies2010 · ★ 8.1 · 2h 11m Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of WarTae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War2004 · ★ 8.0 · 2h 28m BraveheartBraveheart1995 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 58m DownfallDownfall2004 · ★ 7.9 · 2h 35m Pan's LabyrinthPan's Labyrinth2006 · ★ 7.8 · 1h 58m

Questions

How long is The Pianist?
The Pianist runs 150 minutes (2h 30m).
Is The Pianist worth watching?
TMDB users give it 8.4/10 across 10,494 votes, which places it #3 of 154 films released in 2002 in this index (top 99%) and #33 among 3759 drama titles.
Who directed The Pianist?
The Pianist was directed by Roman Polanski. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Chinatown (1974), Rosemary's Baby (1968), The Tenant (1976).
Who stars in The Pianist?
Adrien Brody as Władysław 'Władek' Szpilman; Thomas Kretschmann as Captain Wilm Hosenfeld; Frank Finlay as Father; Maureen Lipman as Mother; Emilia Fox as Dorota; Ed Stoppard as Henryk Szpilman.
What is The Pianist rated?
It carries a r certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for The Pianist?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/60723.

Browse

Best of 2002Best dramaDrama of the 2000sBest warWar of the 2000sAll lists
MTDb·Best films by year, genre and runtime·A century in numbers·Browse and watch trailers

Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.