This an excellent look at the Holocaust through a Jewish man's eyes, but I can see how the violence could be upsetting to some viewers. Though not as good as "Schindler's List" (which for some reason my review didn't show up for, plus not to mention, CSM just got around to reviewing it), I would've been surprised if it had been. However, it is interesting to watch the two back-to-back, since one is told from a (technically) Nazi's perspective, albeit a good German, and the other from a Jew's.
I saw this movie when I was 13 and it became my instant favorite movie of all time. I was glued to the screen, and enjoyed it the whole 2.5 hours. The language was not much of a problem, there was only 2 F-words, and a small amount of other language. While the violence was the main problem with the movie, I did not feel it was nearly as graphic as other movies such as Schindler's List. A very touching and poignant movie, a must see!
this is a great movie!!!!! not for young kids but is a true story f word used once and graphic/intense violence(a child is beaten to death by nazis) innocent people killed mostly jews with no self defence
THIS IS DEFINETLY NOT FOR LITTLE KIDS!!! Especially cuz they made me see it in school!! Ugh!! Very terrible graphic, and strong language!! Very Scary! Very sad(almost cried) and their is some VERY disturbing parts that may make you upset! Ugh!! Never Again! You can surely educate your kids about the Holocaust without exposing them to this! Grrr! And the lighting and setting is so dark and depressing!! Very sad!! Ugh! To think that one of my friends liked it and encouraged me to see more rated R movies!! Horrible!
The Pianist is a film that should be seen -- it's just a question of when your teen should see it. I would not show the movie to anyone under 14 because the violence is too disturbing. It would be best to watch the film together and talk about it. Excellent movie with historical significance.
K, First of all, this movie has a LOT of strong violence. Some people will probably cry. I saw this movie with most of my dad's family. Everyone loved this movie (Especially me.) The two women cried. I think kids SHOULD watch this movie in 2 conditions: 1) The children (7-10) HAVE to watch it WITH AN ADULT! 2)Children will learn about the past and history of the jews. Its good to have a visual picture in their heads about that event. Anyways this is an EXCELLENT film.
Although I have said that I am concerned by the violence, there is no excessive violence. The film is absolutely amazing and one of my favourites. The only thing that you need to be concerned about is the fact that it's about a very depressing subject and there is a scene with shooting in it, so you probably don't want pre-teens to see it.
Real unflinching look at an oblivious pianist who stays alive through the holocaust with luck and very surprising help. Good Jews and bad Jews, very bad Germans, and a few good ones. This movie is very autobiographical of not only Szpilman, but the holocaust survivor Polanski. No wonder Polanski turned down Schindler's List, it wasn't bad, but it was an anomolie of the horrific holocaust, not a typical story. Children cannot forget and then repeat history, for kids who can stand violence, this is a definite must see.
The Pianist is a masterful take on one of the darkest times in human history. The titular pianist leads a golden life, the child of an upper middle class city family, he plays piano for Radio Poland. He is flamboyant, talented, cultured, and intellectual. As the Nazis invade Poland, he watches his world crumble. His family is forced into the Jewish ghetto where they witness horrific acts of violence and experience extreme poverty, hunger, terror and loss of dignity. Through both dumb luck and the kindness of both friends and strangers, Szpilman survives the war. Deadened by emotional and physical pain, as well and hunger and constant fear, he soon becomes nothing but a shell of his former self. The man that emerges from the end of the war is nothing like the man that went in. Spectacular movie for adults and VERY mature older teenagers. The Pianist is brutally wrenching, emotionally jarring, and deeply thought-provoking.