A film based on the life story of the Polish pianist (Waldick Spielmann) during the Second World War when the German army invaded and occupied Poland. As the movie claims. It is also exposed to the Polish resistance to the German occupation, and the liberation of Poland at the hands of the Soviet Red Army.

The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as the Oscars for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.