The Pianist Review - Off The Shelf Reviews

[@4833-o1b]

One of the themes of this movie is that the main character doesn't survive the movie by himself. He's not like Odysseus surviving off his wits and guile. He's constantly being saved and helped by others. It took dozens of kind acts to save just one man.

[@mattmidgley4275]

One of the things I love about this channel is the wide range of movies reviewed OTSR 👊👊

[@VV-ib9bb]

Me too.."Mysterious Skin review from these guys is awesome 👌👌

[@Jay1369]

How you guys don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers is beyond me. Fantastic work as usual!

[@5oups3yeVi3w]

That wheelchair scene was such a shock to me that I remembered it from behind or as the man in the chair - I was simply aghast and the horrific experience of that man clearly seared itself into my brain!

[@VV-ib9bb]

That's a scene I was going to mention..also buying the caramel scene..so eye opening!

[@Grandmastergav86]

The wheelchair scene...well 😂

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

I usually don’t consider commenting on your reviews, but at 20:00, Iain said something I really could relate too. It happened to me too. I had to pause and take a break for literally an hour. I watched this movie out of a recommendation and wasn’t even closely prepared for what I’ve got. I don’t know how other movie goers treat such films, but I sometimes stumble over movies, who I think are masterpieces, but after watching, I know definitely, I never gonna watch them again. This is one of these. I have to say, I’m German and my grandfather died as a soldier in the war. I’m embarrassed, depressed and disgusted by what the Germans did back in the days, to all these people. I’m even more disgusted if I think about, these kind of people are still among us (they are everywhere today, to be honest, but we especially should have learned our lesson). I’ve seen a lot of your reviews until now (mostly lighthearted sci-fi horror ones) and it’s nice to see your appreciation of the movie, even it’s a really hard one to go through. Thanks for your work here.

[@vanssan1414]

fantastic review you guy's knocked it out the ballpark again your still one of beat on you tube keep it going thankyou

[@matthias_samahl1266]

I'm so happy for you guys you got to have this experience! It's great scene after great scene, whenever i think of this movie i always see Adrien Brody trying to stay quiet in the apartment.

[@4833-o1b]

One of the best (and bittersweet) tropes about WW1 and WW2 in films is that characters keep telling themselves and others that "it can't get worse" or "the worst is over." Those scenes are always poignant.

[@ConkerKing]

Polanski also made : !!!THIS>>>>>>>>>> 'The Fearless Vampire Killers'

[@llamapenNHL]

Just watched this movie for the first time last night and I think a big part of it is about the beauty and power of art-- in Szpilman's case, music. At the beginning of the film we see a female admirer of Szpilman's, drawn to him because of his musical abilities, who later contributes to his survival. It's possible that Szpilman is pulled away from the trains by the officer because of his notoriety as a pianist. The officer knows the whole family, but only pulls Szpilman out of the line. Then there's the scene at the end where Szpilman's performance of Chopin possibly saves him from being turned over by the German officer. It's no accident that just before this we hear Moonlit Sonata by Beethoven (a German composer) being played (I think by the officer) and then Szpilman plays Chopin (a Polish composer) for him. The beauty of their music transcends borders and war and all these imaginary divisions. The power of music and art is so strong that even while bombs are literally going off around him he is still compelled to play. We see this in the very first scene in the movie, also when he is isolated and imagining himself playing. It reminds me of the scene in Shawshank Redemption: "That's the beauty of music; they can't get that from you. Haven't you ever felt that way about music?" Field hollers sung by slaves even come to mind. I think the parallels between Szpilman and Polanski are pretty obvious. Despite all that they had been through and all the destruction and evil they'd witnessed, nothing could kill that innate desire within them to love art and create it. I don't by any means think Polanski is saying "Art can save the world!" or anything as simple as that. There are plenty of instances in The Pianist where people are selected at complete random and killed for seemingly no reason at all, and at any of these moments Szpilman could have been chosen. But despite all that meaningless brutality and horror, that desire is so powerful that it survives through even the most horrific of circumstances and at times even touches other people in a way that maybe they don't even understand or acknowledge.

[@pracemaker2517]

One of the most important movies ever made, a moment in history that can never be forgotten. I'll have my kids watch this movie so they know how in the darkest of times there is light.

[@your.dark.lord.]

We may be living darker moments now.

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

@@your.dark.lord. did u even see the movie…

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

I recommend that your kids should be old enough for it. At least over 16 years old.

[@your.dark.lord.]

Haha of course, that's why I'm here commenting. Is a great film, we all praise it, but sure we wouldn't want to live in it. The impotence to watch the blind bureaucratic machine become genocidal, and be powerless to stop it. Nowadays, they released a man made virus into the world, used it to spread fear, people died, freedoms have been cut, and they have begun to blame a minority of the population for it, just like with the jews, but in a worwide scale. Discrimination is back and bigger than before. And like then, widely accepted as normal. History repeats itself. Or like Mark Twain said, it rhymes. Those who think discriminating people is ok are no different from the nazis in the movie.

[@jackthomas6952]

Roman Polanski’s Entire Family was wiped out during The Holocaust. The scene where the family shares a last piece of Caramel Candy actually happened to his family. It was actually a last memory he had with his Family.

[@brandonarlo]

So glad you guys did this one, great stuff as always guys!

[@GooseGumlizzard]

Excellent job guys, I hadn't seen this movie in about 10 years and you really made me remember how heavy it was. I like when you guys do "serious" movies like this and Barry Lyndon in addition to the sci-fi and horror b-movies you review as well. Great stuff as always.

[@mattirealm]

I can see the emotion you both have; the anger and the horror elicited by this a powerful movie. The ending felt so sad however, because he is playing, but it isn't with his family, it is just him....l only watched this one time but that ending always stuck with me. That is not a happy ending, but it is fitting after all that awful ugly shit. Adrien Brody is a good actor, but I also like Thomas Kretschmann. He is most famous for this movie, U571, NBC's old show Dracula, Stalingrad and the equally good and dark, Downfall. You can watch this once I think, and not again. Chopin is probably my favorite classical composer..... Thanks for the review guys.

[@Jucasar1981]

You guys should definitelly review Doctor zhivago, a movie from 1965, also based on the WWII. Such an amazing and forgotten film, it is my dad and mom favorite movie of all time, and they owned a video store for 10 years, so that would put you into context of how much they like movies. Give it a chance and you wont regret it.

[@musicaleuphoria8699]

Actually Doctor Zhivago is based at around WWI and the Russian Revolution, but it's still worth a watch.

[@binnybros]

Wasn’t chopin polish?

[@GooseGumlizzard]

yes

[@marlit8443]

I saw the Pianist three times. Would see it again.

[@alberttorres7359]

Once again you guys don't disappoint

[@Commentator541]

I can't remember if you reviewed The Underground, or Life is Beautiful?

[@ELcoyote576]

Not how I Imagined spending my lunch hour. Amazing review gents. Smoke em If you got em. This was not an easy review to sit through.

[@dustygrooves4727]

like the great Sir Elton John album said 'Dont Shoot I am just the Piano Player" its such a great film and brilliant character study, glad Brody got the Oscar.

[@Para2normal]

Maureen Lipmans BT ads "You've got an 'ology"

[@jorel4477]

What a great review guys, fantastic. I’ve been inspired to watch this myself now, looks like an amazing film. Thanks again

[@marlit8443]

I think that was Roman Polanski’s best picture.

[@markbarrett4440]

Polanski's masterpiece inspired partly by his experiences as a boy.

[@skaro85]

Great review! Always wanted to see this but never got around to it!

[@edsmith1757]

Kinda ironic how we can watch the most gross scary horror flicks and enjoy but to watch a movie about Slavery or the Holocaust makes us want to turn off in disgust . It's like a different type of horror.

[@Grandmastergav86]

It is a different type of horror, no need for equivalency.

[@amansizedduck]

The worst horror is the horror man causes

[@TheTEAMBUTLER]

Anyone know a good documentary about the guy?

[@andrewdeen1]

I really suggest you watch the documentary 'Roman Polanksi - Wanted and Desired' ..it goes into great detail about his past. I learned a lot from that documentary that I never knew, like how polanski went to court and was sentenced to jail time, he SERVED that jail time, and it wasn't until they tried to re-adjudicate his sentence due to public pressure and put him BACK in jail that he left the country. So he did serve the time given to him by a judge, so in that sense he did account for his crime. Also that the victim, to this day, forgives polanski and just wishes everyone would "leave him alone" - i was really surprised to hear that.

[@robertvaughn9448]

Just rewatched this the other day.

[@oliverpengilley]

great review guys!!!! I have never seen it, but obviously knew about the film. I was working at Block Buster at the time it cam out on Dvd, and I remember how popular it was. I dont feel I need to watch it now as your review moved me too much already and not sure I am ready for the sadness! lol. :) thanks for reviewing this film. :)

[@cristerowarrior1450]

You really must watch “for greater glory” or la cristada (it’s Spanish title)

[@cristerowarrior1450]

I can send you a copy if you’d like

[@johnsmith-es7zk]

More films like this should be made as the survivors are dying out. Someone also needs to have the guts to make a film about the Einsatzgruppen (death squads) and the mass graves of Eastern Europe. What we see in this film is beyond belief but the worst of what the Nazis did is never shown as audiences would not watch it. You have to read books to know just how bad things were.

[@AkronRain69]

Fantastic review!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@josh72456]

Seeing this a second time I found the style studenty with all the fade outs. I still like it I like Adrien Brody in the film. According to my father he auditioned for the role but didn't get the role too fat😁.

[@kikidee3204]

I wish they would make a film about the writer and artist Bruno shulz whose work I love he decorated an ss officers kids bedroom with his art for the very same officer to shoot him dead in the street .

[@Para2normal]

I don't believe this film can have "favourite scenes" , moving, emotional scenes perhaps but no favourites. It is unutterrably brilliant and personally prefer it to Schindlers List.

[@jackthomas6952]

Mithril Schindler’s List is quite sanitized compared to this movie.

[@connormckinney2070]

Superb review guys!👍Roman Polanski is a great director. You guys still plan on reviewing Andrei Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev, Solaris, and Stalker? You need to because they are truly one of the, if not the greatest, most beautiful, most atmospheric and haunting films you guys will possibly ever see.

[@AarenJable]

Never seen this, thanks guys.

[@VV-ib9bb]

Adrian Brody is great, thanks for the review guys!!...Check out "Bullet", Adrian Brody, Micky Rourke and 2 PAC film👌👌✌✌

[@AubreyTheKing]

Wow, this was NOT what I was suspecting in a movie called "The Pianist" It actually reminds me of how From Dusk Till Dawn, where the first half of the movie is just about 2 criminals escaping from the police and hijacking a family hostage, with nothing supernatural happening. And then all of a sudden it turns into a horror film about vampires lol ( I love that movie! ). But I see The Pianist is a good movie. Worth checking out. Good review you guys!

[@marlit8443]

One of the best films I ever saw.

[@jackreeve6501]

Love your videos guys been watching for a long time now I'd love to see you guys review little shop of horrors it's one of my favourite childhood movie

[@egapekim]

Great review boys🤘

[@chrisrenshaw9399]

How have u not reviewed Halloween 2018

[@Commentator541]

@@fcukugimmeausername It managed to both suck and blow, I don't know how they achieved it, but they sure did.

[@dejabu24]

just like indiana jones and Schindler's list this is an extremely well done piece of anti-german film

[@delta51979]

You guys are brilliant

[@kickinwinghotboi883]

Anyone know who the police in black were during the train scene? One of them beats the doctor with the butt of his rifle Were they German Nazis or were they some sort of Polish unit?

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

Polish collaborators

[@kickinwinghotboi883]

@@Coldwater-sw6me Ah thank you. I've been wondering that for a long time lol

[@vanhelsing4674]

@@kickinwinghotboi883 not Polish but Lithuinian, Lativian or Ukrainian SS Police units

[@nathansmith4529]

Need.. more.. reviews.. must.. sustain..

[@jamieburnett4426]

Nice review but heavy.... how about Munchies next to lighten things up

[@coalhalo]

Another great review of another great film. Movies like The Pianist and Schindler’s List are not only great movies artistically, but they are also important movies. The stories they tell need to be told to help educate people about what happened in the past. I’ve always thought certain films should be mandatory viewing for school kids in their history classes, and The Pianist is one of those films. Well done lads.

[@birtangooner4730]

This is a great film guys 🎥👍👍😁

[@jgedutis]

Say what you want about Roman Polanski, but The Pianist is a masterpiece

[@TheBeird]

I guess one has to weigh up what is more important; the director's shady past with the young girl, or the fact that film's like this exist to remind us what atrocities man commits on a huge scale. Because believe it or not guys, I know young people who do not care. It sucks how little people give a shit the farther into the past events like this get. Review something frivolous next guys. Between this and the Once Were Warriors review some relief

[@elguitarTom]

Very good, realistic and terrific movie. My only gripe with the movie is that Adrien Brody isolated himself for a very long time before they started filming. He lived alone in an apartment without telephone and barely eat anything to try to experience how it was for the jews during the war. So the problem with this is that from the very start he seems isolated and strange. Even before the horrors started to happend. He already look pale, thin and disconnected throughout the movie.

[@MagikarpMaestro]

Please can you review Jeepers Creepers

[@Sweaty_Ken]

Excellent review, I saw this many years ago and think that I repressed a lot of the traumatic details of this film. As a follow up to this, a review of the excellent 'Conspiracy' TV movie starring Kenneth Branagh would be totally appropriate. As, if you haven't seen it, it dramatises the meeting of high level Nazis where the 'final solution' was agreed upon. Totally harrowing, but in a different way. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_(2001_film)

[@cristerowarrior1450]

The yellow Star of David came from Islamic Spain

[@UnCreativeDeconstructionism]

:( *turn up*

[@fashizzle78]

I just watched the movie thanks to watching this review

[@willrueb9573]

This is so weird. I just watched this the other day. We're on the same level.

[@alejandromolinac]

And Tarantino has defended Polanski saying the minor wanted it.... no joke.... still sex with a minor which is a crime....

[@c.s.70]

In reality she clearly did not "want it" from her accounts, what she wanted was to get home and she was drugged. Sick.

[@SlavicDemon]

I don't remember the movie being shocking or whatever. I remember it being too long.

[@Commentator541]

One of the saddest movies! Fuckkkk that, I don't need it, I have that in my life every day, I need happy action movies.

[@travellingshoes5241]

"Nazi's! I hate those guys."

[@jorel4477]

Never seen it but I heard it’s really good. This should be a great review. Will watch later once I’m home. Good job guys.

[@vanssan1414]

I meant best

[@zacktuchannelboogaloo5632]

*Work Camps. Excuse you

[@controlZchannel]

Labeling Jews with the Star of David came from Muhammad of Islam.

[@Grandmastergav86]

I was actually disappointed with this one. I "enjoyed" it (as much as you can) but I found some of the performances to be a little lacking and aspects of it felt Hollywoodised. Kudos for not skipping over the Polanski issue.

[@cristerowarrior1450]

We should never forget the holodomor, Rwanda, the Armenian genocide or the Cristero rebellion. Too bad most anglophones have forgotten them already

[@sidnew2739]

This is about the holocaust.

[@zacktuchannelboogaloo5632]

Oooh, taking a tough stance against Nazis! Iain is super brave.

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

More then you are, if I get u right.

[@sidnew2739]

Obviously a Nazi himself. You know that under topics like that you don't want to read the comments. But of course you, and you instantly regret it.

[@cristerowarrior1450]

I agree with you Gary Roman Polanski needs to pay for his crimes

[@chrisnotyou]

This movie was hilarious.

[@Arkangel77]

Most bland overhyped movie I’ve ever seen on the subject. Total waste of my time.