# The Pianist (2002) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-pianist-2002/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 88% |
| Editorial Rating | 95/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 96% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 85/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.3/5 |
| IMDb | 8.5/10 |
| Director | Roman Polanski |
| Genres | Drama, War |
| Runtime | 150 min |
| Festival premiere | Cannes 2002 (Palme d'Or) |

## Quick answer

The Pianist (2002) earns a 88% Celluloid Score — Recommended. The Pianist — Palme d'Or at Cannes 2002. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid. Metascore 85/100. Directed by Roman Polanski.

## Celluloid verdict

The Pianist — Palme d'Or at Cannes 2002. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

## Synopsis

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 Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Maureen Lipman, Emilia Fox, Ed Stoppard, Julia Rayner, Jessica Kate Meyer, Michał Żebrowski, Wanja Mues

## Accolades

Premiered at Cannes 2002, where it won the Palme d'Or.

## Where to watch

Global: Prime Video
the United States: Prime Video
the United Kingdom: StudioCanal Presents
South Korea: not currently streaming
Japan: U-NEXT
Malaysia: Lionsgate Play

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Pianist worth watching?**
The Pianist holds a 88% Celluloid Score. The Pianist — Palme d'Or at Cannes 2002. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid.

**What is The Pianist about?**
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.

**Who directed The Pianist?**
The Pianist (2002) was directed by Roman Polanski.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Pianist?**
88% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (95/100), Metascore (85/100), Letterboxd (4.3/5), and IMDb (8.5/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch The Pianist?**
The Pianist is streaming on Prime Video; on Prime Video in the United States; on StudioCanal Presents in the United Kingdom; on U-NEXT in Japan; on Lionsgate Play in Malaysia. Availability varies by region.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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