Special features of these DVDs: "A story of survival" featurette ; insight into the making of the film and its authenticity ; Roman Polanski's own story of survival during WWII ; behind-the-scenes interviews with Oscar winners Roman Polanski, Adrien Brody and Ronald Harwood ; clips of Wladyslaw Szpilman playing the piano ; chapter search ; anamorphic widescreen.

Originally released by TVA Films, 2002.

Director of photography, Pawel Edelman ; production designer, Allan Starski ; editor, Herve de Luze ; music, Wojciech Kilar.

Adrien Brody, Frank Finlay, Maureen Lipman, Emilia Fox, Ed Stoppard, Julia Rayner, Jessica Kate Meyer.

The pianist is the true story of Polish Jew Wladyslaw Szpilman, a celebrated composer and brilliant pianist, who witnessed the brutal Nazi occupation of his beloved city, the creation of the Warsaw Ghetto and the deportation of his entire family to the labour camps. Surrounded by the madness and horror of war-torn Europe, Szpilman finds safety in the generosity and kindness of strangers in a story of the true power of humanity.

MPAA rating: R : for violence and brief strong language.

DVD.

Audio tracks in English, Spanish and French ; subtitled in Spanish and French ; closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

Academy Award; Best Actor.

Academy Award; Best Director.

Academy Award; Best Adapted Screenplay.