The Pianist (DVD)

The Pianist (2002) starring Adrien Brody. Directed by Roman Polanski. Brody won an Oscar for his portrayal of Polish classical pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who survived the Nazi occupation of Warsaw during World War II. Polanski also won as Best Director. Szpilman, who refused to leave Warsaw when he had the chance, is witness to the humiliation of the Jews by the German occupiers, followed by the ghettoization of the Jews and eventually the worst imaginable atrocities. The first moment of truth comes early in the movie, when he is being loaded onto a train along with his family and many fellow Jews. One of the Polish guards recognizes Szpilman and pulls him out of the line. The train was going to Treblinka, where Szpilman almost surely would have died; he never saw his family again. The film is based on Szpilman's memoir, which he published after the war. His is a harrowing story, at times hard to watch, but always worthwhile. We should never allow ourselves to forget. The subtitles are good. Grade: A