'The Pianist' Ranks as a Historically Accurate WWII Holocaust Movie

Over the span of time, an immeasurable amount of historically accurate World War II history made its way into loads of war movies. The wicked reality surrounding the horror of war is fiercely documented in a myriad of drama films. Some of this reality, though, too often ends up fictionally tweaked for shock value. "The Pianist" is not one of those films.

World War II and the inconsolable fallout of the Holocaust do not need a fantasy-infused crutch to lean on.

Historically Less is More

With any movie whose foundation relies on historically accurate details, some WWII movies are ascetically superior because less is more plays a major factor.

As period movies go, there are some that strain under the weight of too much fabrication. An irritating surplus of special effects can destroy, rather than enhance, a critical recreation of a moment in history.

Other WWII related movies, particularly those pertaining to the Holocaust, defy criticism. There is no need to tamper with the defining moments or bleakness of the truth in the story. Consider this exceptional WWII movie. With tenacious conviction, it conveys that history, already disturbing and perplexing on its own, requires no exacerbated support.

"The Pianist" (2002)

"The Pianist" is an extraordinary Roman Polanski directed WWII Holocaust drama. It is based on the autobiography of Wladyslaw Szpilman. Szpilman (played by Adrien Brody) was a celebrated classical piano musician. He was also a Polish Jew. Like countless others in Poland, his family was mercilessly rounded up by Nazi soldiers.

As an animal is stalked, he hid from his German human predators. Szpilman manages to escape his soldiering captors, but he was one of the lucky few. Eventually he shares his incredible story in a book. The memoir turned movie is by all rights a historical document. Compare it to the infamous history lesson of the family of Dutch Jews in "The Diary of Anne Frank."

Keeping it Real

Filmed in Poland, Germany, Russia, and the UK, the movie emotionally rips the viewer from their comfort zone. The film, wastes no time in transporting us back in history to the wretchedness of what life in the Warsaw Ghetto was like.

Szpilman hid out there among what the movie accurately portrays as people who were hungry, cold, and desperately trying to survive something they could not make sense of any longer. It is a startling glimpse into the grave human misfortune of war and the Holocaust.

Accepting that this movie is accurately depicted is unproblematic. For accuracy sake, Polanski smartly included dates on the screen. He made sure throughout the film that precise references are made to strategic happenings in history at that time.

Reality of Trust and Distrust

If there is an accurate history lesson in "The Pianist" that should be underscored: it is in the realization that people are not who they appear to be. That goes for people both morally and those with unscrupulous motives. The sad realization is that any trust among people during war, teeters precariously when it comes to doing what you have to do to survive persecution.

Aligning with that: The movie impartially notes the awkward kindness bestowed on Wladyslaw Szpilman by a Nazi officer. The officer provides Szpilman with a coat and food after hearing him play the piano. There had to be Nazi's who were doing what they had to do to endure the chaos and most likely avoid death themselves.

Polanski as a Holocaust Survivor Strengthens Film's Credibility

Put aside the film being based on the author's personal recount of his escape from Nazi persecution, the story is also a genuine extension of Roman Polanski himself. He, too, is a Holocaust survivor.

In contrast to WWII movies dripping with a director's addition of bells and whistles, "The Pianist" comes clean in actuality because its director lived and breathed the anguish of the Holocaust nightmare as well. There is nothing in "The Pianist" that viewers should feel compelled to simply tolerate. Instead, take it for the history lesson it is.

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