The moving film from 2002 is based on the autobiographical book "The Pianist", a World War II memoir by the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman, played in the movie by the great Adrien Brody. The young musician managed to barely survive in the ruins of Warsaw after it was bombed....Brody received the Academy Award as Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal in "The Pianist".