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Roman Polanskis
The Pianist 
presents viewers with the story of one mans desire to survive
against all odds, as he endures terrible hardship and pain. Set in Warsaw, Poland, during the
German invasion of World War 2, it follows the journey of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish piano
player who tries to stay alive as the Jewish people are all forced into submission. The Pianist 
gives a very stark portrayal of the events the Jewish people endured, but also details a story of 
survival, and the desire to live, despite horrific circumstances. No matter what happens,
Szpilman never loses the will to live, and as his world crumbles around him, he stays incredibly
strong. I find myself amazed at the true grit and determination that Szpilman displays, and the
way that he never loses hope, and attempts to survive no matter how dire the situation.


German forces pushed in to Poland in 1939, and after a short siege, Germany took control of the
city of Warsaw, the capital city. Szpilman is instantly thrown into the thick of things, as a mortar
attack bombards the radio station at which he is playing. This is only the start of a string of 
hardships that he has to endure. Himself, along with all the other Jewish citizens in Warsaw, are
gradually and methodically stripped of their rights, until the point where they are segregated in
a small part of the city away from the suburbs, now occupied by a majority of Germans.
Throughout all of the changes, Szpilman does not display any open distress; it is clear that he is
concerned for the welfare of his family, but does not let himself fall into hysterics over what is
going on. To me, this was a very definite portrayal of his character, of a person who is very level
headed and determined to stay in control of his emotions. I admire the way that he handles the
situation, and I cannot help but think that I would not be able to display the control that he does,
however I cannot provide a definite answer to this, as...