Contains spoilers
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I watched The Piano last night. It was amazing and definitely worth staying up for - although I really am knackered today!

Anyway, I just wondered if there are any people out there with knowledge about WWII or this particular film who can clear something up for me.

Firstly, I missed the first hour of the film so I'm not actually sure if it was set in Germany or Poland. Anyone know? And secondly, if it was set in Germany, does anyone know why the Germans were destroying all the buildings and randomly shooting everyone at the end before the Russians arrived?

Thanks in anticipation.

Don't you mean 'The Pianist'? I can't think of a film called 'The Piano'.

If it is the film 'The Pianist' then the film is set in Warsaw, Poland and focuses on the the main character's world falling all around him as the Nazis move in with their evil plans.

There is some debate as to why the Germans destroyed building and killed many people (probably Jews and other minorities).

I personally believe that it was because they were copying the 'scorched earth' policy, which means that they tried to destroy any building that could be of use to the Russians (strangely enough the Russians did this when retreating from the Germany army in 1942/3).

By randomly shooting people, the Nazis were attempting to destroy any evidence of cruelty towards the Polish people, which obviously didn't work. (EDIT) I forgot that they also suspected many people of being part of the Polish Resistance.

Hope that clears things up- PM me if you want.

I saw the last half as well it was set in Poland and called The Pianist.
It is a good job Russian soldiers can't shoot straight or he would have been dead,Fancy walking out wearing a German officers greatcoat!
I did not realise it was a true story until at the end it was stated that the german officer died in 1952 in a Russian pow camp.

Don't you mean 'The Pianist'? I can't think of a film called 'The Piano'.

The Piano (1993) was a film that had Holly Hunter in it, set in victorian times. (Anna Paquin {sp} won an oscar at age just 11 for her performance as Holly Hunter's daughter)

The Pianist is the correct title of the film last night.

I couldn't watch it, i always find depictions of the holocaust distressing. (call me over-sensitive, if you must) I found Schinddlers List distressing, and wept buckets at the final scene where the survivors make a cairn of "memory stones" on his grave.

PT

The Piano (1993) was a film that had Holly Hunter in it, set in victorian times. (Anna Paquin {sp} won an oscar at age just 11 for her performance as Holly Hunter's daughter)

The Pianist is the correct title of the film last night.

I couldn't watch it, i always find depictions of the holocaust distressing. (call me over-sensitive, if you must) I found Schinddlers List distressing, and wept buckets at the final scene where the survivors make a cairn of "memory stones" on his grave.

PT

I was the same PT. When I went to see the Pianist I cringed at most of the horrible scenes, including one in particular where a disabled Jew was thrown out of a third floor balcony by a German soldier. :(

I'm yet to see Schindlers List :blush:

Oh yes, I meant "The Pianist" - although I seem to remember "The Piano" was a rather good film too. ...Told you I was tired!

Thanks for clearing that up!

The Piano (1993) was a film that had Holly Hunter in it, set in victorian times. (Anna Paquin {sp} won an oscar at age just 11 for her performance as Holly Hunter's daughter)

The Pianist is the correct title of the film last night.

I couldn't watch it, i always find depictions of the holocaust distressing. (call me over-sensitive, if you must) I found Schinddlers List distressing, and wept buckets at the final scene where the survivors make a cairn of "memory stones" on his grave.

PT

It was a very good film and Ian Brody was fantastic.

The Piano with Holly Hunter is equally fantastic!!

Another fantastic film with Piano's in it: Shine

Yeah - I kept thinking about "Shine" while I was watching it. That was a very good film too.

I loved the scene in "The Pianist" where he played for the German officer who'd just discovered him with his half-open tin of courgettes or gherkins or whatever they were. That piece of music was so moving (and probably very long - but I didn't want it to end!).