The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s personal and intimate journey from dependence and oppression to independence and freedom. Set in the nineteenth century, it contrasts the strict female repressed reserve of the married Ada with the eroticism of the Ada bargaining ... Read review
Jane Campion'sThe Pianostruck a deep chord (if you'll excuse the expression) with ... more
audiences in 1993, who were mesmerised by the film's rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 ...
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Faber Music The Piano Songbook Contemporary Songs 2: arranged for piano, vocal and guitar; ... more
1973 (James Blunt), 21st Century Kid (Jamie Cullum), All in the jungle (The hours), Almost (Lucie Silvas), Back to black (Amy Winehouse), Beauty Queen (Ben´s Brother), Blue Piccadilly (The Feeling), Cancer (My Chemical Romance), Februrary Song (Josh Groban), Going to a town (Rufus Wainwright), The great escape (Patrick Watson), How come (James Morrison), I don´t feel like dancin´ (Scissor Sisters), I´d wait for life (Take That), Last request (Piano Version) (Paolo Nutini), My dear country (Norah Jones), Nothing´s gonna change your mind (Badly Drawn Boy), P.D.A. (We just don´t care) (John Legend), Rain on the pretty ones (Ed Harcourt), Samson (Regina Spektor), Set the fire to the third bar (Snow Patrol), She is (The Fray), Shooting Star (Air Traffic), Sunset (Kate Bush) To build a home (Cinematic Orchestra)
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Ambitious exotic and a classic book club read 'The Piano Teacher' is a combination of ... more
'Tenko' meets 'The Remains of the Day'. Sometimes the end of a love affair is only the beginning...In 1942 Will Truesdale an Englishman newly arrived in Hong Kong falls headlong into a passionate relationship with Trudy Liang a beautiful Eurasian socialite. But their love affair is soon threatened by the invasion of the Japanese with terrible consequences for both of them and for members of their fragile community who will betray each other in the darkest days of the war. Ten years later Claire Pendleton lands in Hong Kong and is hired by the wealthy Chen family as their daughter's piano teacher. A provincial English newlywed Claire is seduced by the colony's heady social life. She soon begins an affair!only to discover that her lover's enigmatic demeanour hides a devastating past. As the threads of this compelling and engrossing novel intertwine and converge a landscape of impossible choices emerges -- between love and safety courage and survival the present and above all the past.
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Ambitious exotic and a classic book club read 'The Piano Teacher' is a combination of ... more
'Tenko' meets 'The Remains of the Day'. Sometimes the end of a love affair is only the beginning...In 1942 Will Truesdale an Englishman newly arrived in Hong Kong falls headlong into a passionate relationship with Trudy Liang a beautiful Eurasian socialite. But their love affair is soon threatened by the invasion of the Japanese with terrible consequences for both of them and for members of their fragile community who will betray each other in the darkest days of the war. Ten years later Claire Pendleton lands in Hong Kong and is hired by the wealthy Chen family as their daughter's piano teacher. A provincial English newlywed Claire is seduced by the colony's heady social life. She soon begins an affair!only to discover that her lover's enigmatic demeanour hides a devastating past. As the threads of this compelling and engrossing novel intertwine and converge a landscape of impossible choices emerges -- between love and safety courage and survival the present and above all the past.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Advantages: Superb soundtrack, cinematography and acting Disadvantages: Storyline stetches the bounds of imagination
The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s personal and intimate journey from dependence and oppression to independence and freedom. Set in the nineteenth century, it contrasts the strict female repressed reserve of the married Ada with the eroticism of the Ada bargaining and winning free expression.
The film begins as the main character, Scottish Ada McGrath played by Holly Hunter, is transported away from her ... ...a lonely Englishman working in the New Zealand bush.
She is accompanied by the two things in her life that are important to her, a piano and her 9 year old illegitimate daughter, Flora played by Anna Paquin. Not just important, but much much more. Ada has not spoken for nine years ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and using a unique sign language only understood by her daughter. The piano ... more
The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s personal and intimate journey from dependence and oppression to independence and freedom. Set in the nineteenth century, it contrasts the strict female repressed reserve of the married Ada with the eroticism of the Ada bargaining and winning free expression.
The film begins as the main character, Scottish Ada McGrath played by Holly Hunter, is transported away from her home to the unknown and distant New Zealand at the start of her journey. A marriage has been arranged for Ada to marry Alisdair Stewart, played by Sam Neill, a lonely Englishman working in the New Zealand bush.
She is accompanied by the two things in her life that are important to her, a piano and her 9 year old illegitimate daughter, Flora played by Anna Paquin. Not just important, but much much more. Ada has not spoken for nine years ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and using a unique sign language only understood by her daughter. The piano does not merely reflect her mood but voices her emotions clearly and strongly.
Ada’s loneliness and dependency is emphasised from the outset with the stark visual impact of the petite Ada, dressed in black hopped dress and bonnet standing beside her beloved piano her daughter sat on top, with the vast grey sea and sky behind her as she waits for new husband. When he finally arrives, he refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy. Ada rages but to no avail. Her voice has been thoughtlessly taken away.
The piano is rescued by a neighbouring farmer, George Baines played by Harvey Keitel. He strikes a bargain with Ada that allows her to earn her piano back. By giving him lessons, she can have one key back per visit. Baines has no interest in piano lessons but instead maniuplates Ada into permitting him sexual favours. This soon escalates into an erotic and sensual affair as Ada’s expression and passion are allowed free reign.
Discovered by Her husband, his jealousy and anger at her betrayal and disobedience, explodes and he brutally chops off her index finger on her right hand.
I will not say anymore as this would spoil the ending. So to find out, what effect this act of cruelty had- you will need to watch the film. The Piano was Jane Campion’s, the director and screenwriter, first big film. Her previous films had been relatively short, Sweetie in 1989 and An Angel At My Table in 1990. For her work, Campion won an academy award for Best Original Screenplay in 1993. For the film, Jane Campion, a native New Zealander, chose experienced American actors.
Holly Hunter created the severe, pale look of a nineteenth century woman. She delivered a stunning performance, and in doing so she expanded her own horizons and won the Oscar. Anna Paquin is totally believable in her role as the daughter devoted and always aware of her mother. For her role, she won the 1993 Academy Award for best supporting actress.
Stuart Dryburgh uses superb cinematography contrasting grey dour tones with warmer colours matching and enhancing the changing emotions. The landscape of New Zealand is striking and dramatic.
The soundtrack written by Michael Nyman is both integral to and compliments the action of the film. Ada plays her piano with passion and meaning. The haunting melody of main theme, "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is played solo piano while Ada waits on the beach. This is repeated again and again in different contexts. It is accompanied by strings in "The Promise” and "Deep Into The Forest".
The film originally released in the cinema in 1993, is now widely available in both VHS and DVD. I would urge anyone to watch the film. It is stirring, charming and sensual.
Advantages: interesting story, excellent acting, Disadvantages: expected more
...into this movie knowing about the oscars it had won and having been recommended by several friends, I expected something good. As a fan of period films, this movie is set in the 1850's, New Zealand. Ada (Holly Hunter) is a mute who with her young daughter Flora(Ann Paquin) braves the dangerous journey across the world. We see the movie start with them landing with all their belongings, including the priceless piano. Life begins in the leafy forest ... ...Things take a turn for the worse when her new Husband sells her piano a neighbour, George (Harvey Keitel). George however, tells Ada she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons. Through the lessons, we see a turbulant but intreging relationship form. This movie wasn't what I expected, yet produced some awesome performances. Inparticular little, Ann Paquin, the devoted daughter and voice of Ada to the outside world puts in a great performance. ...
rafomania 16.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
Advantages: great cinematography and soundtrack Disadvantages: a little boring at times, overlong
The Piano is a haunting and touching film, concerning the move to New Zealand of a Scottish woman and her daughter to be married against her will to a profiteerer. The cinematography is superb, and Holly Hunter and Sam Neill put in a good performance in the roles of man and wife. Perhaps the best performance comes from young Anna Paquin as the girl, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role. The soundtrack, by Michael Nyman is a joy ...
peppermint 23.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
Advantages: Beautiful imagery, fine acting, very good music Disadvantages: A bit pretentious
...discovery in New Zealand at the turn of the century, and she succeeds on the level of telling the basic story which is compelling. It's only when she adds slightly surreal and abstract elements that I found it a little pretentious, particularly towards the end. I also found the idea of Holly Hunter using the piano as a communication tool a bit naive, and there was also an anti-male feel to the whole film. Nevertheless it is well told, subtly acted ...
JSpencer 15.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
Advantages: A great film to watch, a very emotional film which is gripping to watch.. Disadvantages: none
The film, The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s journey from oppression to freedom. The main character, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), is sold off in marriage to marry Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neil) and is thus sent away from her home to New Zealand. She is accompanied by her 9 year old daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano.
When Ada arrives on the beach of the New Zealand coast she is dressed in black dress ... ...provides a stark contrast with the vast backdrop of the crashing sea and grey skies. Ada has not spoken ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and sign language, understood by her daughter. The way in which she uses the piano reflects her mood in a very strong and clear manner. Understandably is then enraged when her new husband refuses to take the piano because it is too too heavy. The piano is rescued by ...
silvajade 27.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
...it and I didn´t get the idea really! Everything was so black and white in the movie. I saw it once and I was so bored watching it I don´t even remeber what happened there. I remember only the time when some man cut the womans fingers and that´s the only part went in my mind. I think the idea of someone talking throught her music is kinda romantic but not very interesting in a movie when you don´t see what she´s saying becouse the woman, Holly Hunter, ...
Evey 29.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
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Advantages: This movie is a testament to a sister's love and faith. It's well worth watching. Disadvantages: None
UNDER THE PIANO
1996
DVD 2003
*******************************************
INTRODUCTION
After discussing ?Rain Man? with a friend, they recommended that I watch this film ? ?Under the Piano?. I had never heard of the film, but it turns out that it is a Canadian film that was released in 1996, and is based on the true story of the astonishing bond between two sisters - Dolly and Henrietta Giardini, who lived in Canada during the1940?s/50?s.
Henrietta was autistic, their mother was a frustrated opera singer who was over protective to her daughter even when she was older. But Dolly, even though she had a paralysed arm, supported and encouraged her sister.
Is this another ?Rain Man?? You may ask. That may be the first impression you get from Under the Piano. After all, both deal with someone ...
Advantages: long lasting very funny Disadvantages: none
I've been a fan of lee Evans for a long time so i had to get this dvd, other lee Evans usually the older ones don't seem to be as funny but along with wired and wonderful this dvd certainly is one of the best, filmed live from Cardiff it does contain some welsh jokes. The dvd goes on for a long time which is another reason why it is so good, I can't go ten minutes of watching this dvd with out laughing, like all the lee Evans's dvd's it has the song at the end which he sings and plays on the piano. The dvd is a cert. 15 which personally i think is just right as this contains quite alot of swearing which also adds too the humour of the dvd.All in all I think any lee Evans fan would definately enjoy this dvd. no matter what the price. ...
Advantages: Classic standup, very funny, laugh a minute Disadvantages: Not really many apart from the obvious lack of extras
, decribing his 3 second memory, and the problems therein. The second is called 'The Land Of Our Forefathers' - far better, proving that Lee is an excellent musican, possibly best when sat in front of a piano.
The extras on the DVD are poor. There's little going on by way of documentaries, as would be expected.
Anyway, as badly written as this review is, there's very few words to describe this man. Just watch it, he's stunning. ...
A woman, her daughter and her piano arrive in the remote backlands of 19th Century New Zealand for an arranged marriage. But her future husband refuses to move the piano from the beach. In order that she might get her piano back she agrees certain favours with an illiterate neighbour.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; SONY DADC, ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
10/07/2006, 30/08/1999
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
OPTD 0573, EDV 9027
Barcode
5060034576266, 5017239190278
Composer
Michael Nyman
Languages
Main Language
English
Award information
BAFTA
Best Actress 1993 (Holly Hunter)
OSCAR
Best Actress In A Supporting Role 1994 (Anna Paquin)
OSCAR
Best Actress In A Leading Role 1994 (Holly Hunter)
OSCAR
Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen 1994 (Jane Campion), Best Actress In A Supporting Role 1993 (Anna Paquin), Best Actress In A Leading Role 1993 (Holly Hunter)
Professional reviews
Review
A severely beautiful, mysterious movie that, as if by magic, liberates the romantic imagination....[The] principal performances are extraordinary (New York Times, 13/09/2006)
The lighting is crepuscular, the costumes heavy and the atmosphere brooding (Sight And Sound, 13/09/2006)
Technical information
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD Description
A mute woman arrives with her daughter and her piano for an arranged marriage in New Zealand. This controversially erotic film established screenwriter-director Jane Campion as a universally recognised talent. Holly Hunter stars as Ada, a mute 19th-century woman sent to New Zealand in an arranged marriage with a patriarchal landowner (Sam Neill). She brings along her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), and tries to also bring her beloved piano, much to the consternation of her new husband, who abandons the piano on a beach. Artistically and emotionally frustrated, Ada finds herself experiencing an erotic awakening when Baines (Harvey Keitel), an illiterate settler covered with Maori tattoos, rescues her piano, buys it from her husband, then strikes a strange bargain with Ada that gradually leads to her sexual awakening--and to an explosive confrontation. Jaw-droppingly beautiful with its purple and green palette of untamed New Zealand scenery, THE PIANO is both a ravishing love story and a psychosexual fairy tale on a par with WUTHERING HEIGHTS and JANE EYRE. Featuring a haunting piano score by Michael Nyman and brilliant performances, THE PIANO is an exceptional film.
![The Piano [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78484177.jpg)
![The Piano [DVD] [1993]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/90145477.jpg)
