8 out of 10
 

Essentially the theme of the movie would be the power of music. The main character is a pianist who works for Warsaw Radio in Poland at the start of their invasion and occupation by Germany. The film follows this pianist and his family (parents, brother & sister) as the conditions for Jews become worse and worse. At the start, these are minor things, like Jews not being able to have over a certain amount of money, then they have to wear the Star of David on their right sleeve. The family gets relocated to the ghetto area of Warsaw and subsequently, his family is sent to a concentration camp. The remainder of the film follows this man as different sympathizers help him by hiding him in various secluded apartments. At one point, he is locked in with a piano. It is imperative that he remain quiet as it is an abandoned flat, so he imagines playing the piano.

There are many scenes showing how the Jews were treated, yet it is all done from the point of view of the pianist. It certainly made me realize that they had no idea when help was arriving, and while watching the movie, I know that he only had to survive for a few more weeks, yet he was starving and barely surviving by hiding out in different abandoned buildings.In the end, a German officer helps him by giving him food and his coat as they are pulling out. When the Russians come and liberate the city, he runs out to greet them, clothed in the jacket of a German officer and gets shot at. He convinces them that he is Polish and they ask him why he is wearing the coat to which he replies, "I was cold."

The film was very moving and emotional, it was not only set in a historical period, it was a true story of how one man was able to survive when so many Jews were persecuted and killed.

The film is directed by Roman Polanski. The actors, none of which are very big names, delivered solid performances, while the actor portraying the pianist, Wlodyslaw Szpilzman, was spectacular.

It is very important that we remember the events of history, as we are doomed to repeat them, if not.