World War II films from different eras

2000s

The Pianist

A scene from The Pianist. [Photo/Mtime]

The Pianist is a 2002 historical drama film co-produced and directed by Roman Polanski. It is based on the autobiographical book The Pianist, a World War II memoir by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman.

The story centers on Szpilman's life in the slums of Poland during World War II, his separation from his family and how he struggles to survive. The protagonist meets a German officer one day in search of food, and under the officer's orders, Szpilman is forced to perform a piece by Chopin. The officer, touched by his talents, decides to help him find a place to hide and provide food and clothing to help him live. After the war is over, Szpilman does his best to find the whereabouts of the German officer, but is shocked when he hears the officer was suspected of being a spy and died in captivity.

The film met with significant critical praise and received multiple awards and nominations. It was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. It also won Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor, and was also nominated for four other awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003.