Władysław Szpilman, the Polish-Jewish pianist and composer on whom the movie is based, is born.
Jewish population of Warsaw, including Szpilman and his family, are forced into the Warsaw Ghetto by Nazi authorities.
Szpilman avoids deportation and is helped by friends and civilians to hide from Nazis during the Holocaust.
Soviet forces liberate Warsaw; Szpilman is freed from hiding, surviving the Holocaust.
After the war, Szpilman resumes his career as a pianist and composer in Poland.
German forces invade Warsaw, beginning Nazi occupation and persecution of Jews, including Władysław Szpilman and his family.
Władysław Szpilman and his family are forced to evacuate their home and move into the Warsaw Ghetto under harsh conditions.
Szpilman performs piano for Jewish Radio, broadcasting music to uplift spirits within the ghetto.
Szpilman's family is rounded up and deported to the Treblinka extermination camp, leaving him alone in the ghetto.
Szpilman hides in abandoned buildings and shelters within Warsaw, surviving in secret while the city suffers devastation.
A German officer discovers Szpilman hiding but spares his life and provides food, showing unexpected humanity.
The Warsaw Uprising leads to large-scale destruction of the city and drastic worsening conditions for survivors like Szpilman.
