Original subtitles

["Chopin's Nocturne in C Sharp" playing]

[bomb explodes in the distance]

[bomb explodes nearby]

[bomb explodes] [glass shatters]

[continues playing]

[bomb explodes]

[continues playing]

[bomb explodes]

[continues playing]

[bomb explodes]

[continues playing]

[bomb explodes]

[screaming]

[indistinct shouting]

- Mr. Szpilman? - Hello.

I came specially to meet you. I love your playing.

- Who are you? - My name's Dorota, Jurek's sister.

- You're bleeding! - It's nothing.

You can write him a fan letter later. This isn't the best time. Come on.

Jurek, where have you been hiding her?

- [father] I don't know what to take. - [mother] You always take too much.

[Regina] How many suitcases are you taking?

[Halina] I'm packing my red dress.

[father] And what, what do you think, should I,

should I take uncle Szymon's portrait?

[siren wails in background]

Take it, don't take it, take what you like.

- Can't you see I'm worried sick? - Oh... He'll come home, he'll be alright.

[Halina] We should have another case just for shoes.

Wladek, oh! Mama, Wladek's home!

Oh! Thank God. Wladek! You're wounded?

No, no, no, it's a little cut, it's nothing.

Oh, I've been worried sick.

I told her not to worry. You had your papers on you.

If you'd been hit by a bomb, they'd have known where to take you.

- [Halina laughs] - Henryk, Henryk,

don't say things like... don't say things like that.

- [father] I can't find anything. - God forbid. God forbid.

- Papa, Wladek's home. - What did I tell you?

- [Wladek] What are you doing? - [Regina] What's it look like we're doing?

[Halina] Has anybody seen my hat with the wide brim?

I don't know they bombed us, we're off the air.

Warsaw's not the only radio station.

Ah? Pack, pack, darling. Get your things, pack.

- Where are we going? - Pfff. Out of Warsaw.

- Out of Warsaw where? - [Regina] You haven't heard?

- Heard what? - Haven't you seen the paper?

- Oh, where's the paper? - I used it for packing.

[sirens wail nearby]

Oh, she used it for packing.

[father] The government's moved to Lublin.

All able bodied men must leave the city,

go across the river and set up a new line of defense, that's what it said.

There's hardly anybody left in this building only the women the men have gone.

And what do you think you'll do while you're setting up a new line of defense?

- Wonder around lugging your suitcases? - [mother] Pack, Wladek. There's no time.

- I'm not going anywhere. - Good! I'm not going anywhere either!

[mother] Don't be ridiculous, we've got to keep together.

No, no, look, look.

If I'm going to die, I prefer to die in my own home, staying put.

- [mother] God forbid. - Sssh! Shut up! I've got something listen.

[radio announcer] ...from the BBC in London.

The British government... having received no reply to the ultimatum presented...

to the German government...

has declared war on Nazi Germany.

- Oh, oh, that's wonderful! Wonderful! - [radio announcer] It is expected that...

[radio static cross wires with German radio announcer]

[radio announcer] ...within the next few hours,

France will make a similar declaration.

Poland is no longer alone.

- [mother] My God! - [father] Oh! Oh!

[Polish national anthem plays]

[father] It's great, great, wonderful, wonderful!

- Mama, that was a great dinner. - [Wladek] Hm! Yes, it certainly was.

Well when there's something to celebrate, you've got to make an effort.

Here's to Great Britain and France!

[father] I told you. Didn't I tell you? All will be well.

- [all] Hey! - [father] Oh! [laughs]

Five thousand and three.

Is that all?

Yes, five thousand and three zlotys, that's all we've got left.

It's three thousand and three zlotys too much. Look...

[Regina] "Re: Further restrictions regarding liquid assets.

Jews will be allowed to keep a maximum of two thousand zlotys in their homes."

- [mother] What do we do with the rest? - Deposit it in a bank. A blocked account.

Banks?! Who'd be stupid enough to deposit money in a German bank?

We could hide the money. Look here. We can hide the money under the flower pot.

No, no, no. I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll use try and tested methods.

You know what we did in the last war?

We made a hole in the table leg... [taps the table leg]

and we hid the money in there.

- And suppose they take the table away? - What do you mean take the table away?

The Germans go into Jewish homes and they just take what they want...

furniture, valuables, anything.

- [mother] Do they? - Idiot! What would they want with a table.

Hey? A table like this?

[all gasp]

- What on earth are you doing? - No, listen, look.

[Halina] This is the best place for it.

[Halina] No-one would think of looking under the flowerpot.

No, no. No, no. Listen, listen, I've been thinking...

Oh! Really? That's a change.

- You know what we do? We use psychology. - [Wladek] We use what?

We leave the money and the watch on the table...

and we cover it like this. In full view.

[Halina laughs]

Are you stupid?

The Germans will search high and low, I promise you, they'll never notice.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Of course they'll notice it. Look.

Look here... Idiot.

[Henryk laughs] And you call me stupid.

No, that is very good because that is the last place...

- This would take hours. - We are not in a hurry. We'd get it back.

- It won't take hours. - How will you get them out? Tell me that!

Tell me that, I would like to know. How would you get them out?

- Why do you resist? - [Regina] Quiet! Order, please!

- You take each one out individually. - [Regina] Order please!

No-one listens to me, no one listens.

Quiet, please, quiet! Order, order, please!

- She's a lawyer, she likes order. - Listen, just listen. Look,

the watch we put under the flowerpots and the money we stuff in the violin.

Um...

- Will I still be able to play? - Well, you'll find out.

- Jurek? It's Wladek Szpilman. - Wladek, how are you?

Fine, fine, we're fine, thank you. And you?

Fine, we're fine under the circumstances. But I guess what you've called about.

There's nothing we can do. They won't re-open the station.

Just won't re-open the station.

Yes, I know, but um, Jurek...

Not even music, nothing, no radios for the Poles.

I know, Jurek!

But I'm sure you'll find work. A pianist like you Wladek!

Well, maybe, maybe not, but um...

listen, don't be offended, but I didn't call to discuss my future career.

I nagged Jurek for weeks and weeks, and at last he gave in and said...

"All right, come with me tomorrow", And so I came and...

they bombed the station.

I tell you, meeting you like that was absolutely wonderful.

- Really? - Yes, it was... It was unforgettable.

I've always loved your playing, Mr. Szpilman.

Call me Wladek, please.

- No-one plays Chopin like you. - I hope that's a compliment.

- Of course, I mean it. - I was... trying to be funny.

Shall we go to the Paradiso, have a coffee?

I'd like that.

- And you, what do you do? - I finished with the conservatoire.

- You're a musician? - Yes. But only just.

- What instrument? - The cello.

I love to see a women playing the cello.

Here we are.

NO JEWS

This is disgraceful. How dare they?

You know what people are like, they want to be better Nazis than Hitler.

- I'm going in there to complain. - No. It's better not, believe me.

- It's so humiliating. Someone like you! - [woman] Good-bye!

We'll find somewhere else.

- [Dorota] We can walk in the park. - No, we can't.

It's an official decree. No Jews allowed in the park.

- My God. Are you joking? - I'm not joking, it's true.

I suggest we just sit on a bench somewhere but that's another official decree,

"no Jews allowed on public benches".

This is absurd!

I'll tell you what we can do. We can just stand here and talk.

I think we're allowed to do that, don't you?

So, you play the cello Dorota. That's nice.

And who's your favorite composer? Chopin? Really? Well...

you'll have to learn to play his cello sonata, won't you?

And what about you, Wladek? Well...

Perhaps I could accompany you. Me on the piano, you on the cello.

Oh, Mr. Szpilman, you're quite, quite wonderful.

Call me Wladek, please.

"Re: emblems for Jews in the Warsaw district.

I hereby order that all Jews in the Warsaw district...

will wear visible emblems when out of doors.

This decree will come into force on the 1st of December, 1939...

and applies to all Jews over 12 years of age.

The emblem will be worn on the right sleeve...

and will represent a blue star of David on a white background.

The background must be sufficiently large...

for the star to measure eight centimeters from point to point.

The width of the arms of the star must be one centimeter.

The Jews that do not respect this decree will be severely punished.

Governor of Warsaw district, Dr. Fischer."

I won't wear it.

I won't wear it. I'm not going to be branded.

[clears throat] Let, let me see this.

Does it say that we have to provide these armbands ourselves?

- Where will we get them? - We're not going to get them.

We're not going to wear them!

[tram bell rings]

[in German] You!

[in German] Come here.

[in German] Why didn't you bow?

[in German] I beg your pardon.

[father groans]

[in German] You're forbidden to walk on the pavement.

[in German] Walk in the gutter!

- Have you seen this? - What, what, what? I'm working. What?

What is it?

- That's where they're going to put us. - What do you mean, put us?

"By order of the governor of the Warsaw district, Dr. Fischer...

concerning the establishment of the Jewish district in Warsaw.

There will be created a Jewish district in which all Jews living in Warsaw

or moving to Warsaw will have to reside."

Look here. "Jews living outside of the prescribed area

will have to move to the Jewish district by 31st of October, 1940."

They won't get all of us. It's too small. There's 400 thousand of us in Warsaw.

No, 360 thousand. So it will be easy.

[mother crying] What am I supposed to do? Hm? You tell me.

[mother crying] You're a clever man, you'll tell me what I will buy.

[father] I do my best.

[Halina] Mama?

Mama, what is it?

[mother cries] 20 zlotys!

That's all we have left, 20 zlotys.

What, what can I buy with 20 zlotys?

I am sick of cooking potatoes, potatoes, potatoes.

That's the price. That's what I'm offering.

My advice is to accept. You won't get more from anyone else.

- But, it's a Bechstein, Mr. Lipa! - Two thousand. My advice is to take it.

[Mr. Lipa] What are you going to do when you're hungry? Eat the piano?

- Get out! - Hey! What's the matter with you?

- Stop it! - We'd rather give it away. Go on, get out!

Haven't you eaten today? Hm? What you suffering from?

You people are crazy.

I'm doing you a favor. Two thousand and I'm paying for the removal.

I'm not even charging for the removal!

You haven't eaten today. You're crazy.

Take it.

[Wladek] Hello.

Hello. Hi.

I didn't want to come.

I didn't want to see all this, but... I couldn't stop myself.

- How are you doing? - Fine.

Good.

No, not really. They arrested my cousin.

Jurek says they'll let him out.

- This is disgraceful. - It won't last long. Don't worry.

That's what I said myself.

It's too absurd.

I ah... I should go.

Well, I'll, I'll see you...

soon.

Good-bye.

Well...

to tell you the truth, I thought it would be worse.

- Where will we sleep? - I sleep in the kitchen with the girls.

You, Henryk and papa, in here.

Look.

Come and look.

[somber orchestral music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Go away. Go away! Go away!

Papa! Papa! Papa!

- Sell anything? - Just one. Dostoievski, The Idiot.

- Three zlotys. - It's better than yesterday.

Three lousy zlotys. And there are people there making millions.

- I know. - You don't know, believe me.

They bribe the guards, the guards turn a blind eye.

They're bringing in cartloads of food, tobacco, liquor, French cosmetics.

And the poor are dying all around and they don't give a damn.

Excuse me, have you seen my husband, Izaak Szerman?

A tall, a tall handsome man, with a little gray beard... No?

- I'm afraid not. - Excuse me. Good-bye.

Sleep well. But, but, but if you see him, write to me, yes?

Izaak Szerman.

[tram bell rings]

Why do we have to have a gentile street running through our area?

Why can't they go around?

Don't worry about it. They're about to build a bridge. Haven't you heard?

A bridge, a bridge a smedge.

[Jewish man] The Germans claim to be intelligent.

But do you know what I think? I think they are totally stupid.

I have a family to feed. I spend half of my time here

waiting for them to let us through.

[Jewish man] Maybe they think I come here to listen to the music?

[speaking German]

[in German] You're cold?

[speaking German]

[in German] Dance!

- [in German] Dance! - [in German] Dance!

[in German] Come on, come on! Dance!

[speaking German]

[speaking German]

[speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[in German] Faster!

[speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldiers speaking German]

[soldiers speaking German] [whistle blows]

[mother] Good, they're here.

Yitzchak Heller's been waiting for you.

- What's this about? - [mother] Sit down, have tea.

[mother] I'll start lunch when the girls get here.

- [Henryk] So, what are you doing here? - [father] He brought cakes.

His ah... his father's back in the jewelery business.

He's, uh, doing well, hey, Yitzchak, hey?

[father chuckles]

[father] Amazing, jewelery.

- We're recruiting. - Who is recruiting?

Don't be clever with me, Henryk. I'm coming as a friend.

[Heller] They're bringing Jews in from all over the country.

Soon there will be half million people in the ghetto.

- We need more Jewish police. - Oh! More Jewish police!

You mean you want me to beat up Jews with my truncheon and catch the Gestapo spirit.

- [Henryk] I see! - Someone's got to do it, Henryk.

[Henryk] But why me?

I thought you only recruited boys with rich fathers.

Look at my father, look at us, I mean.

Yes, I'm looking at you, that's why I'm here.

Your whole family can have a better life.

You want to go on struggling for survival, selling books on the street?

Yes, please.

[scoffs] I'm doing you people a favor.

What about you, Wladek? You're a great pianist.

And we've got an excellent police jazz band.

They'd welcome you with open arms. Join us!

- [Heller] You've got no work. - Thank you, I've got work.

[noisy chatter and laughter]

[indistinct conversation]

Yes of course!

I'm sorry, Wladek, he wants you to stop.

[continues playing] Who wants me to stop?

[Wladek stops playing] [noisy indistinct chatter continues]

[Wladek continues playing]

[small dog barks]

[Jehuda] I always say, look on the bright side.

[Jehuda] You're in a small ghetto with intellectuals, professional people.

[Jehuda] You're better off than us. Here in the large ghetto it's a cesspool.

Jehuda, give me something to do.

You're an artist, Wladek. You keep peoples' spirits up. You do enough.

- I want to help, I want to do something. - You're too well known, Wladek.

And you know what? You musicians don't make good conspirators.

You're too... too... musical. [laughs]

- Who is that? - Symche.

[Symche] Majorek.

[Wladek] There are notices going up. City is to be cleansed of undesirables.

- No notices going up. - [Majorek] Hello, Symche.

Dolek... Mrs. Zyskind.

[Majorek] Jehuda, working hard?

Majorek. This is the greatest pianist in Poland. Maybe the whole world.

Wladyslaw Szpilman, meet Majorek.

- How do you do? - I know your name.

- I've never heard you play. - [Jehuda] Majorek used to be in the Army.

Brilliant man. The only thing I've got against him is he's not a socialist.

[Jehuda laughs]

[Jehuda] You better go now, Wladek. It's nearly curfew.

[Jehuda] You know how many copies we print of our newspaper?

[Jehuda] Five hundred.

You know how many people on average read one copy? Twenty.

That makes ten thousand readers. These will start the uprising.

Majorek hides them in his underpants and leaves them in toilets.

- Toilets, huh? - As many toilets as I can find.

Germans never use Jewish toilets.

- They're too clean for them. - [Jehuda laughs]

[indistinct chatter]

[young beggar] Please, Mister, please, one zloty.

[dog barks] [man whistles]

[man whistles again]

[boy speaks in German]

[man shouts in German]

[whack, screaming]

[man in German] Hold it! You little bastard!

[screaming continues]

[screaming continues] [man continues speaking in German]

[Wladek] Stop it! Stop it!

[screaming continues]

[Wladek] Stop it!

[Wladek] Come on, come on, come on. Come on boy.

[man speaks in German]

Stand up. Stand up. Stand up!

[man speaks in German]

[Wladek breathes heavily]

[dog barks nearby]

[footsteps approach]

Please, tonight for once, I don't want anything bad talked about.

- Enjoy our meal. - Fine, then I'll tell you something funny.

You all know who I mean by Dr. Raszeja?

- The surgeon. - [Henryk] The surgeon.

[Henryk] Well, for some reason, don't ask me why,

the Germans allowed him into the ghetto to perform an operation.

On a Jew? They let a Pole to come in to operate on a Jew?

He got a pass, that's all I know. Anyway, so he...

he puts the patient to sleep and starts the operation.

He'd just made the first incision when the SS burst in...

shoot the patient lying on the table,

then Dr. Raszeja and everybody else who was there.

Isn't that a laugh?

The patient didn't feel a thing, he was anesthetized. [laughs]

I said nothing bad, Henryk.

What's the matter with you all, huh? Huh? You lost your sense of humor?

It's not funny.

Well, you know what's funny? You're funny, with that ridiculous tie.

What are you talking about my tie for? What's my tie have to do with anything?

- [Wladek] I need this tie for my work. - Your work?

- Yes, that's right, I work. - Yes, yes, your work.

Playing the piano for all the parasites in the ghetto.

- Parasites? - Parasites.

Boys. Boys!

They don't give a damn about people's sufferings.

And you blame me for their apathy, right?

I do because I see it every day.

They don't even notice what's going around them.

- I blame the Americans. - For what? For my tie?

The American Jews, and there are lots of them.

What have they done for us, hey? What do they think they're doing?

People here are dying. Haven't got a bite to eat.

The Jewish bankers over there should be persuading America

to declare war on Germany.

[car tires squeal] [engine revs]

[whispers] Lights! Lights!

[SS Officer speaking German]

[SS Officer speaking German]

[banging on door]

[SS Officer speaking German]

[SS Officer speaking German]

[terrified woman speaking German]

[SS Officer] Stand up!

[SS Officer] You, stand up! Come on!

[SS Officer] Throw him out!

- [mother] Ah! - [body thuds as it hits the pavement]

Shhh. Shhh. Be quiet, Mama, for God's sake, shhh, be quiet.

[father] My God!

[SS Officer speaking German]

[mother continues crying]

[SS Officer speaking German]

[multiple gunshots]

[gunshot]

[engine starts] [car doors slam]

[man shouts in German]

[crying]

[playing piano]

[beggar girl] Matches! Matches!

- Excuse me! - Yes!

- I'm Mr. Szpilman's sister. - Yes, come in. Not you!

[piano playing] [indistinct chatter]

- What's happened? - Oh my God, it's terrible.

- What? - They're hunting people in the streets.

They've taken Henryk.

[sighs heavily]

All right, go home, alright? Go home, I'll take care of it.

[indistinct chatter]

Excuse me. Have you seen my husband? Izaak Szerman?

- No, I'm afraid not. - Tall, handsome, a little gray beard.

If you see him, write to me. Don't forget. Izaak Szerman.

[whistle blows]

[Jewish police in German] Faster, keep moving! Run!

What happened here?

They've got my grandson in there. They pick them up, they take them away.

What they do to them, I've stopped believing in God.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

[Wladek] Yitzchak?

Yitzchak? Yitzchak, here, it's Wladek Szpilman!

[child cries]

[woman] Here!

- Henryk's in there. - I haven't seen him.

- Believe me. They picked him up. - [Heller] Tough luck!

Can you help?

Oh, now you need me, yes, now you need me!

Can you help us?

- It costs. - I have no money.

Then there's nothing I can do.

You should've joined us when you had the chance.

- Yitzchak they told me you had influence. - Who told you?

People, people I know. They said you're an important man.

[Wladek] Yitzchak!

[whistle blows]

[man shouts in German]

[Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

- [1st Shupo] Who is this? - [2nd Shupo] Good morning Herr Rubinstein.

- [1st Shupo] Good morning. - [Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

- [Rubinstein] Kaputt. Kaputt. - [German officers laugh]

- [Officers speaking German] - [Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

- [2nd Shupo] Want a cigarette? - [Rubinstein] Cigarette? Mmm.

[Rubinstein in German] Thank you.

[Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

- [2nd Shupo speaking German] - [both laugh]

[Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

[Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

[Rubinstein speaking Yiddish]

Help! Help! Help! Help! A snatcher! A snatcher! Help, help me!

[woman cries]

[man speaks indistinctly]

- Why did they pick you up? - So you go to Yitzchak Heller?

- Did I ask you to talk to him? - You're out, aren't you?

Did you beg, did you grovel to that piece of shit, that cockroach?

I didn't grovel, I asked him to help you.

What did you pay him?

With what, with what could I pay him? With what?

Every zloty I earn we spend on food.

- I can look after myself. - They were taking you away.

It's got nothing to do with you. It's me they wanted, not you.

Why do you have to interfere with other people's business?

You're mad. That's, that's your trouble, is your mad.

That's also my business.

[tram bell rings]

Hey, hey! What's the matter? What's the matter? Are you sick?

Hungry.

[doorman] Mr. Szpilman!

Employment certificate? What's that mean, no employment certificate?

You have to have an employment certificate...

to work for one of the German firms in the ghetto, otherwise...

- Otherwise what? - [Henryk] You'll be deported.

- So the rumors were true. - [Henryk] They're going to resettle us...

and send us to labor camps, in the East.

- And they're closing the small ghetto. - My God!

[street noise] [indistinct chatter]

[Jehuda] Wladek? Wladek?

I thought you'd be off on tour playing London, Paris, New York, Chicago.

- Not this week. - You look terrible.

Have you heard the rumors? They're going to resettle us in the East.

Rumors! You take it all too much to heart Wladek. What's the trouble?

I, I've been trying to get the certificate of employment for my father.

But I managed to get one for me and the rest of my family,

but I need another one for my father.

- I've been to all the firms and shops... - Why didn't you come to me?

I didn't know you were in the certificate business.

I'm not, but Majorek is.

Can you help? I have no money.

Please, don't insult us. Can you do something for him?

Be at the Schultz workshop tomorrow, four o'clock.

You see what a wonderful piece of luck you've had today?

That's the historical imperative in action! That's why I always say:

- Look on the bright side! - The bright side, yes, I know.

[roar of sowing machines]

- [Majorek] How's your back? - Better.

Better?

Better not ask!

- Thank you. - My pleasure. Won't help you anyway.

[Schultz laughs]

[Majorek] Thank you, Mr. Schultz.

[sorrowful orchestral music]

[tram bell rings]

[tram bell rings]

[indistinct chatter]

Well, at least we got work in the ghetto. Hey?

At least we are still together.

[gunshot] [woman screams]

[German voices shouting]

[gunshot] [woman screams]

[man shouts in German]

[gunshot] [man shouts in German]

All out! Into the yard!

[shouting in German]

We're all employed. We've got work permits.

- Wait. - [gunshot]

Here.

[German NCO in German] Go over there. Hurry.

[German NCO in German] You.

[German NCO in German] You. You.

[German NCO in German] You.

[German NCO in German] You.

[German NCO in German] You.

[in German] The rest of you, get dressed and report back here!

Bring your belongings, only 15 kilos!

Where are you taking us?

[baby cries]

I'm sorry, I did my best.

I thought the certificates would save us.

Stop it, Wladek.

Let's just hope that Henryk and Halina will be better off.

[German officers speaking indistinctly]

[German officer speaking indistinctly]

[Jewish policeman #1] Move on!

[Jewish policeman #2] Come on, come on!

- Where will we be going? - You're going to work.

You'll be much better off than in the stinking ghetto. Move.

[young woman] Why did I do it? Why did I do it?

[young woman] Why did I do it? Why did I do it?

Why did I do it?

[young woman] Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it?

[young woman] Why did I do it?

[indistinct chatter] [baby cries]

[young woman cries]

[woman cries]

[woman with child] I beg you, don't you have a drop of water?

Don't you have a drop of water? He's dying.

My child is dying of thirst.

- I beg you. I beg you. - I'm sorry.

Don't you have a drop of water? I beg you.

[Dr. Szpilman] Did you hear what I'm saying?

- I'm telling you, it's a disgrace. - I can hear you.

[Dr. Szpilman] We're letting them take us to our death like sheep to the slaughter.

- Not so loud. - [Dr. Szpilman] Why don't we attack them?

There's half a million of us here. We can break out of the ghetto.

At least we can die honorably, not as a stain on the face of history.

Why are you so sure they're sending us to our death?

I'm not sure. You know why I'm not sure? Because they didn't tell me.

But I'm telling you, they're going to wipe us all out.

Dr. Ehrlich, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to fight?

To fight, you need organization, plans, guns.

[father] He's right. What do you think I can do? Fight them with my violin bow?

The Germans would never squander a huge labor force like this.

They're sending us to a labor camp, it's obvious.

Oh, sure.

Look at that cripple there, look at the old people, the children.

They're gonna work?

Look at you! Well, you're going to carry iron girders on your back?

[noisy indistinct chatter]

Henryk! Halina, Henryk!

[mother] Halina! Henryk!

- [Halina cries] - [Regina] Oh my God!

We heard you were here. we wanted to be with you!

We wanted to be with you!

[sighs] Stupid. Stupid.

[young woman] Why did I do it? Why did I do it?

She's getting on my nerves.

- What did she do, for God's sake? - She smothered her baby.

They prepared a hiding place and of course they went there.

But the baby cried just as the police came.

She smothered the cries with her hands, the baby died.

[Grun] A policeman heard the death rattle and found where they were hiding.

[woman crying]

[indistinct chatter]

What are you reading?

"If you prick us, de we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

If you poison us, do we not die?

And, if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"

- Very appropriate. - Yes. That's why I brought it.

[sorrowful orchestral music playing]

[child cries]

Idiot. What's he think he's gonna do with the money?

Hey boy, come here.

[father] Come here.

- [father] How much for a caramel? - Twenty zlotys.

What? For one caramel? What do you think you're gonna do with the money?

Twenty zlotys.

We've got 20 between us.

I've got ten, I think.

Five, ten, twenty.

[young woman cries] Why did I do it?

[young woman cries] Why did I do it? Why did I do it? Why did I do it?

[train brakes screeching]

[German soldiers shouting in German]

[German soldiers shouting in German]

[German soldiers shouting in German]

- Halina? - What?

- It's a funny time to say this, but... - What?

I wish I knew you better.

Thank you.

[German soldiers shouting in German]

[German soldiers shouting in German]

[German soldiers shouting in German]

[Heller] Szpilman? Szpilman!

Fuck off stupid! Go!

Papa? Papa?

Papa? Mama? Halina?

Halina? Mama?

What do you think you're doing Szpilman? I've saved your life. Get out just go! Go!

[Heller] Don't run!

Mama! Mama! Mama!

[German soldier speaking in German]

[German officers shout indistinctly]

- Well, off they go to the melting pot. - Ah! Ja.

[German soldier speaking German]

What are you doing? She's pregnant!

[shouting, screaming]

[train horn hoots loudly]

[sobs uncontrollably]

[sorrowful orchestral music]

[flies buzzing]

[Benek] Wladek?

[sighs heavily] Why are you here, Wladek?

It's like this, I, I...

We...

All of them, all of them.

All of them.

Perhaps they're lucky. The quicker, the better.

It's not finished yet. We'll stay here for a couple of days,

until things die down.

I've bribed a policeman, he'll come when it's over.

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

My God, I haven't been outside in, it must be two years.

Don't get overexcited.

[indistinct chatter]

[sorrowful orchestral music]

It's gold. Very good price.

Someone you know?

A beauty. Who is she?

She's a singer. I knew her well actually. Her husband's an actor.

They're good people. I'd like to talk to her.

Don't forget, Wladek. They hang them for helping Jews.

[speaking German]

- [SS soldier] Stop! - [soldier] Halt!

[SS soldier speaking German]

[speaking German]

[speaking German]

[SS soldier speaking German]

[SS soldier speaking German]

[SS soldier speaking German]

[SS soldier speaking German]

[SS soldier shouting in German]

[SS soldier shouting in German]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[man whistles]

[soldier speaking German]

[whistle blows]

How long have you been here?

Since last night.

I was pleased to see you.

They're going to start the final resettlement now.

We know what it means.

We sent someone out. Zygmunt, a good man.

His orders were to follow the trains out of Warsaw.

He got to Sokolow.

A local railway man told him the tracks divided,

one branch leading to Treblinka.

He said everyday freight trains carrying people from Warsaw...

branched off to Treblinka and returned empty.

No transports of food are ever seen on that line.

And civilians are forbidden to approach the Treblinka station.

They're exterminating us.

It won't take them long.

We're 60 thousand left, out of half a million.

Mostly young people.

And this time we're gonna fight.

We're in good shape.

Organized. We're prepared.

If you need help, I...

[whistle blows] [dog barks]

[Zig-Zag] You! Come here!

Shit!

[Wladek] I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[Wladek] I, I don't know what I was thinking.

[speaking German]

[Wladek groans]

[in German] Get him away from here.

[groans]

I hope you play the piano better than you carry bricks.

He won't last long if he goes on like this.

I'll see if I can get him something better.

[whistle blows]

Trouble.

[German soldier #1 in German] Assemble! Fall in!

[German soldier #2] Round up! Only the Jews.

[German soldier #2] Poles go on working. Only the Jews!

I have good news for you.

There are rumors going around that we like to, uh...

umsiedeln... Resettle you.

I promise you that now and in the future...

nothing else is planned.

Ja? For this reason, we put information posters on the wall.

To show you our goodwill...

you should vote one of you to be allowed...

to go in town daily...

and bring three kilos of Kartoffeln potatoes, ja?

And one loaf of bread for each of your workers.

So, why should we do something else like this if we would resettle you?

You can make good business out of the things you don't eat.

Isn't that something that you Jews are good in? Make money?

[in German] Carry on.

[German soldier speaking German]

That one, with the string. The others, tied by wire.

[German soldier speaking German]

[German soldier speaking German]

[German soldier speaking German]

[German soldier speaking German]

[German soldier speaking German]

[dog barks] [German soldier speaking German]

[Majorek] Now!

[man coughs]

Majorek.

I have a favor to ask.

I want to get out of here.

It's easy to get out. It's how you survive on the other side that's hard.

I know.

Last summer, I worked for a day in the Zelazna Brama Square.

I saw someone I knew, she's an old friend.

A singer, her husband's an actor.

[man coughs]

I filled their names down and their address, if they're still there.

Janina Godlewska and Andrzej Bogucki. They're good people.

Would you try to make contact?

You go to town every day.

Would you just ask them, ask them if they'd help me get out of here?

[man coughs]

[door opens]

[in German] Got a plaster?

[in German] What are you up to?

What's in that?

[in German] We're allowed to take food into the ghetto.

[in German] Three kilos of potato and bread.

[in German] Open it.

[in German] It's only potatoes and bread.

[in German] You're lying. I can smell it.

[in German] Open it.

[in German] Potatoes!

[in German] You Jews are all the same.

[in German] Give a Jew your little finger...

and he takes the whole hand.

[in German] Lie to me again, I'll shoot you... personally.

[Majorek] I tried your friends.

- They don't live there anymore. - Did you make contact?

- Be ready to leave. - When?

- Soon. - [Zig-Zag] Halt!

- [soldier speaking German] - [Wladek] Oh, shit! Shit!

[soldier speaking German]

[Zig-Zag speaking German as he whips the Jews]

[in German] I'll teach you discipline, you dirty pigs!

[in German] Know why we're beating you?

[in German] No.

[in German] Know why we beat you?

- [in German] Why? - [in German] To celebrate New Year's Eve.

[laughs]

No, quick march! March!

[Zig-Zag in German] March and sing!

[Zig-Zag in German] Sing something cheerful!

[Zig-Zag in German] Sing it loud and clear!

[laughs]

[Column sings] ♪ Hey ranks unite and follow the white eagle ♪

[all sing] ♪ Stand up and fight our mortal enemies ♪

♪ Riflemen, hey! Let's give them fire and brimstone ♪

♪ We'll blow away the yoke of slavery ♪

♪ Punish and rout the rapists of our nation ♪

♪ We'll smash the knout to save our dignity ♪

[soldiers speaking German]

[soldier speaking German] [dog barks]

[indistinct chatter]

[speaking German]

[crying]

I'm sorry.

I'm dirty. I'm so filthy. [sniffs]

We haven't much time. Come on.

[knock on bathroom door] [door opens]

We must hurry.

Here. See if these fit.

[Bogucki] We're going to have to keep moving you.

The Germans are hunting down indiscriminately now.

Jews, non-Jews, anybody, everybody.

And Wladek, you'd better shave. Use my razor on the shelf.

You'll be looked after by Marek Gebczynski.

He's on the other side of town.

You stay there tonight, then we'll find you somewhere else.

- I'll bring you food. - Alright, let's go.

[melancholic orchestral music]

I'll show you where you're going to sleep.

You have to stay here until tomorrow afternoon.

We have a flat for you near the ghetto wall. But it's safe.

It's not going to be very comfortable.

I'll be fine.

Thank you.

[tram bell rings]

I'll take it. Here. Give it to me.

Go as near to the front as possible, to the German section.

DO NOT PASS

[tram bell rings]

[Gebczynski] I'm going to draw the curtains now.

But you leave them open during the daytime. Don't forget.

Must feel better on this side of the wall, huh?

Yes.

But sometimes I'm still not sure which side of the wall I'm on.

[Gebczynski] Some bread, potatoes, onions.

I'll come again. And Janina Bogucki will visit twice a week.

Bring more food, see how you are.

Thank you.

Oh, this is very important. In case of emergency...

I mean emergency, go to this address.

[Gebczynski locks the door]

[groans, sighs heavily]

[groans]

[groans, sighs]

[exhales heavily]

[woman playing kitten's voice next door] Puppy dog, what do you mean you forgot?

[man playing puppy dog's voice] What do you think I mean, Kitten?

I forgot, that's what I mean.

[Kitten's voice] You know what, you treat me like dirt.

[Puppy dog's voice] I treat you like dirt because you are dirt.

- [Kitten's voice] Pig! Pig! - [Puppy dog's voice] Bitch!

- [Kitten's voice] Dirty pig! - [Puppy dog's voice] You are a dirty pig!

[Kitten's voice] Takes one to know one. Pig.

[playing simple piano tune]

[Puppy dog's voice] Hmm. You play like an angel, Kitten.

[Kitten's voice] If I play like an angel, why don't you listen?

[Wladek chuckles]

[Puppy dog's voice] I was listening, Kitten.

[Kitten's voice] Liar! You fell asleep. Pig!

[piano playing continues]

[bomb explodes nearby]

[gunshots, rapid gunfire]

[gunshot]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[gunshot, rapid gunfire]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[glass shatters] [gunshot]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[gunshots, rapid fire continues]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[rapid gunfire]

[rapid gunfire]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[gunshots, rapid fire continues]

[sorrowful orchestral music]

[rapid gunfire continues]

[sorrowful orchestral music continues]

[German soldiers cheering]

[German soldiers cheering]

[sorrowful orchestral music continues]

[German soldier shouts in German]

[speaking German]

[speaking German]

[sorrowful orchestral music continues]

[speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[sorrowful orchestral music continues]

[soldier shouts command in German]

Thank you.

- I wanted to come earlier, but... - No, no, no, thank you.

[pigeon flies away]

[Janina] No-one thought they'd hold out so long.

I never should have come out. I should've stayed there and fought with them.

Wladek, stop that. It's over now.

Just be proud it happened.

- My God, did they put up a fight! - Yes.

- So did the Germans. - They're in shock!

They didn't expect it. Nobody expected it. Jews fighting back?

- Who would have thought? - What good did it do?

What good?

Wladek, I'm surprised at you.

They died with dignity, that's what good it did.

And you know something else?

Now the Poles will rise. We're ready.

We'll fight too. You'll see.

[door opens]

Get your things together. You have to leave.

[Wladek] What? What's happened?

- [Gebczynski] I'm on the run. - What's happened?

The Gestapo found our weapons. They've arrested Janina and Andrzej.

They're bound to find out about this place too. You must get away at once.

Where do you want me to go?

Look at me, I'm not leaving.

- Can I take my chances here? - That's your decision.

But when they storm the flat, throw yourself out the window,

don't let them get you alive.

I have poison on me. They won't get me alive either.

[coughs]

[coughs]

[car brakes squeak]

[car doors slam]

[man speaking German]

[footsteps on the stairs]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German] [door shuts]

[two men speaking to each other in German]

[footsteps on the stairs]

[two men speaking to each other in German]

[footsteps on the stairs]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[car door slams]

[piano playing next door] [clock ticking]

[piano playing stops]

[knock on front door]

[knock on front door]

[woman] Open up!

[knock on front door]

[woman shouts] Open this door at once or we'll call the police!

Are you from this flat? You're not registered.

It belongs to a friend of mine.

I just came to visit, but I must have just missed him.

Have you got your identity card?

What?

- Let me see your identity card. - Yes, of course.

[door opens]

- I want to see your identity card! - What's happening?

He's a Jew! A Jew!

Stop the Jew!

Don't let him out! Stop him!

[dramatic orchestral music]

- [Dorota] Yes? - Mr. Gebczynski sent me.

- Wladyslaw Szpilman. - Dorota.

Come in.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I was given this address and I'm looking for a Mr. Dzikiewicz.

Michal Dzikiewicz, he's my husband.

Come in.

Sit.

I need help.

He'll be back before curfew.

I've... I've been in hiding.

[sniffs, exhales]

- I need somewhere to stay. - He'll be here soon.

- How long have you been married? - Just over a year.

And... how's Jurek?

Dead.

Oh...

- And when, when is your baby due? - Christmas.

This is not a good time to have children,

- [door opens, closes] - but then...

This is my husband. Wladyslaw Szpilman.

- Marek Gebczynski sent him. - Oh, yes, I remember.

Mr. Gebczynski said to contact you only in case of emergency.

Don't worry now.

We can't move you tonight. You'll sleep on the sofa.

Oh! Excuse me.

I'm sorry, could I, could I have a piece of bread?

Yes, of course. We'll eat.

Sit. Please, sit.

Thank you.

[sighs heavily]

[cello playing nearby]

[door clicks open, squeaks]

[tram bells rings]

[Michal] You're in a very German area.

The building opposite is a hospital taking in wounded from the Russian front.

And next door is the Schutzpolizei.

[Michal] Safest place to be.

Right in the heart of the lion's den.

I'll be locking you in.

No-one knows you're here, so keep as quiet as possible.

[tram bell rings]

[passionate orchestral music]

[piano joins the orchestra]

[front door lock clicks open]

All well?

Thank you.

This is Antek Szalas. He'll be looking after you.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

Thank you.

I've given him a second key. He'll bring you food, see that you're alright.

He's with the underground, he's a good man.

- You don't remember me Mr. Szpilman? - I don't think so.

Warsaw Radio. I was a technician.

[Szalas] I saw you almost every day.

[Szalas pours a drink]

- I'm sorry, I don't remember, I... - It doesn't matter.

You've nothing to worry about. I'll visit often.

You'll be pleased to hear that the Allies are bombing Germany...

night after night, after night.

Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin.

And the Russians are really giving them hell. It's the beginning of the end.

Oh, let's hope so.

[siren wails]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German]

[sorrowful orchestral music]

[key jangles in front door]

Still alive then?

Here. Sausage, bread.

You still got that vodka?

- How long is this meant to last? - Not long now.

I think, I think I've got jaundice.

Don't worry about that. It just makes you look funny.

My grandfather was jilted by his girlfriend when he got jaundice.

Drink up.

[siren wails in background]

Why didn't you come sooner? It's been over two weeks.

- I got... - Problems.

- Money. - [car door slams]

I've got to raise money to buy the food.

I need things to sell, it's not easy.

[man speaking German outside]

[Wladek] Here. Sell this.

Food's more important than time.

[car engine revs]

[siren wails]

Oh, yes. I meant to tell you! The Allies have landed in France.

Russians will be here soon.

They'll beat the shit out of the Germans...

any day now.

[locks door]

[Wladek sighs]

[forlorn orchestral music]

Wladek?

Wladek?

I knew it. I knew this would happen.

[Wladek whimpers]

- I'll get a doctor. - You can't. It's too dangerous.

- I'll get Dr. Luczak. We can trust him. - Dorota. Don't be ridiculous,

he's a pediatrician.

- He's still a doctor. - No.

You stay. I'll go.

[tram bell rings]

[Wladek whimpers]

We came to say goodbye.

We're going to stay with my mother in Otwocks.

The baby's already there. It's safer.

There's talk that the uprising will begin any day now.

[Wladek whimpers]

That man Szalas should be shot.

He's been collecting money on your behalf all over Warsaw.

[Wladek moans]

Apparently people gave generously, so he collected a tidy sum.

[Wladek coughs]

My God.

The liver the size of a football. Acute inflammation of the gall bladder...

but he'll live.

I'll try to get him some levulose, but it's not easy.

- Can you visit him again? - Who knows.

- Doctor, thank you. - Don't speak, rest.

Thank you so much for coming.

We've brought you some food.

I'll prepare something now for you, then we must go.

[tram bell rings]

[rapid gunfire]

[soldier shouts in German]

[soldier shouts in German]

[soldier shouts in German]

[soldier shouts in German]

[soldier shouts in German] [gunfire]

[soldiers shouting in German]

[soldier shouts in German]

[nurse shouts in German]

[rapid gunfire]

[siren wails]

[dramatic orchestral music] [gunfire continues]

[siren wails]

[dramatic orchestral music] [gunfire continues]

[gunfire, bombing continues]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[man shouting indistinctly]

[knock on the door] [man shouts indistinctly]

[man] Get out, get out, get out into the streets!

[man] Get out now! The Germans have surrounded the building!

[Wladek] Somebody... Somebody! somebody help me!

[loud ringing sound]

[ringing continues] [bomb explodes]

[ringing continues] [bomb explodes]

[ringing continues] [bomb explodes]

[explosion]

[crashing]

[explosion] [crashing]

[explosion]

[man #1 speaking German]

[man #2 speaking German]

[both men speaking German]

- [man shouts] Heinrich? - [Heinrich speaking German]

[Heinrich speaking German]

- [man shouts in German] - [Heinrich speaking German]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[Wladek groans]

[gunfire continues]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[Wladek grunts, groans]

[gunfire continues]

[dramatic music continues] [gunfire continues]

[soldiers shouting in German]

[gunfire continues]

[distant gunfire, explosions]

[approaching marching boots]

[distant rapid gunfire]

[distant explosion]

[sighs heavily]

[distant explosion]

[distant rapid gunfire]

[distant explosion]

[Wladek mumbles]

[distant rapid gunfire]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[men speak indistinctly in German]

[orchestral music playing]

[piano joins in]

[glass shatters]

[soldier speaking German]

[soldier speaking German]

[glass shatters]

[soldiers speaking German]

[groans]

[groans]

[sorrowful orchestral music]

[car brakes squeal]

[man speaking German]

[man speaking German] [car engine approaches]

[car brakes squeal]

[men speaking to each other in German]

[men speaking to each other in German]

[men speaking to each other in German]

[man speaking German]

[man laughs]

[man speaking German]

[down below a Beethoven piece is played on an out-of-tune piano]

[distant rapid gunfire] [music stops]

[distant rapid gunfire]

[metal clangs]

[German Captain in German] What are you doing here?

Who are you?

- Understand? - [in German] Yes.

[German Captain in German] What are you doing?

[in German] I, I was...

trying to open this can.

[in German] Do you live here?

[in German] Do you work here?

[Wladek in German] No.

[in German] What do you do?

[in German] I am...

I was a pianist.

Pianist?

[inhales and exhales deeply]

[scoffs]

[in German] Come on.

[metal clangs]

[in German] Play something.

[playing Chopin]

[Wladek continues playing Chopin]

[Wladek continues playing Chopin]

[Wladek continues playing Chopin]

[in German] Are you hiding here?

[in German] Jew?

[in German] Where are you hiding?

[rapid gunfire nearby]

[in German] In the attic.

[rapid gunfire nearby]

[in German] Show me.

[in German] Got any food?

[sobbing]

[indistinct chatter in German]

[officer speaking German]

[typewriter keys tapping, telephone rings]

[German Officer speaking German]

- [German Captain speaking German] - [German Officers speaking German]

[typewriter keys tapping] [indistinct chatting in German]

[telephone rings] [typewriter keys tapping]

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

[in German] Jew!

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

Excuse me. Please.

[in German] What's all that gunfire?

[in German] Russians. Across the river.

[in German] All you have to do is wait a few weeks.

[door closes]

[groans in delight]

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

[explosion, gunfire nearby]

[indistinct chatter in German]

- [Wladek in German] What's happening? - [in German] We're leaving.

- [in German] Are the Russians here? - [in German] Not yet.

[in German] I... I don't know how to thank you.

[in German] Thank God, not me.

[in German] He wants us to survive. Well, that's what we have to believe.

[in German] Here. Take it.

- [in German] And you? - [in German] I've got another...

[in German] a warmer one.

[in German] What'll you do when it's all over?

[in German] I'll play the piano again. On the Polish radio.

[in German] Tell me your name.

[in German] I'll listen out for you.

Szpilman.

Szpilman.

[officer chuckles]

[in German] Good name for a pianist.

[door opens, closes]

[rapid gunfire nearby]

[Polish national anthem playing nearby]

[Polish national anthem blares from cars loudspeaker]

[dog barks nearby]

[woman shouts] German! German!

[gunshot]

[Wladek groans]

[gunshot]

[Wladek groans] [rapid gunfire]

[Wladek groans]

[explosion]

No! No!

No! Don't shoot! I'm, I'm Polish!

- [gunshot] - Please! I'm Polish!

- [gunshot] - I'm...

[Polish Officer shouts] Come out with your hands up!

[Wladek] Please! I beg of you!

Don't shoot, don't shoot, don't shoot. I beg you, I'm a Polish, please.

[Polish Officer shouts] Come down!

Please, I'm Polish! Please... please.

[Polish Officer] He's Polish.

[Polish Officer #2] Yes, he's Polish.

[Polish Officer #2] Why the fucking coat?

I'm cold.

[dog barks nearby]

[soldiers speaking German indistinctly]

Look at them. German fuckers!

[Lednicki] Murderers! Murderers!

- Dirty bastards! - [Lednicki] Assassins!

- [Polish man] Bastards! - [Lednicki] Look at you now!

You took everything I had. Me, a musician.

You took my violin, you took my soul!

Musician?

[in German] Musician?

[in German] Yes.

[in German] Do you know a pianist named Szpilman?

[in German] Polish radio?

[in German] Of course I know him.

[in German] I helped him when he was in hiding. Tell him I'm here.

- [Russian Guard speaking Russian] - [Captain in German] Ask him to help me.

[Russian Guard speaking Russian]

[in German] What's your name?

[German Officer] Hosenfeld.

- [in German] What? - [Russian Guard speaking Russian]

[classical piano playing]

[Lednicki] It was here, I'm certain of it.

[dog barks in the distance]

[Wladek] Well, it's not here now.

[Lednicki] I shouted, abuse at them. I'm not proud of it but that's what I did.

[Lednicki] And I'm certain I stood where you are now.

[Lednicki] There was barbed wire, and this German came up to me.

- [Wladek] You didn't catch his name? - No.

I'll ask at the factory. They may know something.

[dog barks in the distance] [birds chirp]

["Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1" playing]

[round of applause]