# The Pianist (2002) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-pianist-2002/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 89% |
| Critic Score | 95% |
| Audience Score | 96% |
| 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 89% Celluloid Score — Recommended. The Pianist — Palme d'Or at Cannes 2002. A landmark festival winner on Celluloid. Metascore 85/100. Directed by Roman Polanski.

## Critics consensus

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.

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Pianist worth watching?**
The Pianist holds a 89% 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?**
89% — the average of five public sources: critics 95%, audience 96%, Metascore 85/100, Letterboxd 4.3/5, and IMDb 8.5/10.

**Where can I watch The Pianist?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Pianist page for current options.

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

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