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Search 713 spoiler-free recommendations from 1916 to 2026. Filter by the night you want—not the list you’re supposed to finish.

Direct film viewShowing master rank #476 on its own—not above the ranking.
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DirectorAll directors

Most represented · 6+ films

More recurring directors · 3–5 films54
All directors · surname A–Z438
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1 selected film

Master Rank balances Greatness, Engagement, and Ease. Sort by Greatness for the artistic-canon view.

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View The Piano film page
Original poster artwork · Great Cinema Master List

Spoiler-free premise

A mute pianist and her daughter arrive in nineteenth-century New Zealand for an arranged marriage.

Read expanded premiseLonger, still spoiler-free

Mute Scottish pianist Ada McGrath arrives in colonial New Zealand with daughter Flora for an arranged marriage to landowner Alisdair Stewart. When he leaves her piano on the beach, neighbor George Baines acquires it and proposes a charged arrangement for its return.

Why it belongs

Through keys, mud, fabric, coastline, and Holly Hunter's fiercely articulate silent performance, The Piano makes desire material.

Read expanded why it belongsThe fuller editorial case

Michael Nyman's piano theme, black clothing, wet forest, Māori community, finger movement, and the instrument's physical weight transform expression into contested property. Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel make looking and bargaining unstable.

Major award record

Metadata only · zero points in 40/40/20
Academy Awards3 wins1994 · official ceremony record ↗
Actress in a Leading Role1994 · Holly Hunterofficial ceremony record ↗Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)1994 · Jane Campionofficial ceremony record ↗Actress in a Supporting Role1994 · Anna Paquinofficial ceremony record ↗
Golden Globes1 win1994 · official film record ↗
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama1994 · Holly Hunterofficial film record ↗
BAFTA3 wins1994 · official BAFTA 1994 Film Awards results ↗
Best Actress1994 · Holly Hunterofficial BAFTA 1994 Film Awards results ↗

Plus 2 additional wins

Cannes2 wins1993 · official festival record ↗
Palme d'or (Ex-Aequo)1993 · Jane CAMPIONofficial festival record ↗Award for Best Actress1993 · Holly HUNTERofficial festival record ↗

Totals include every recorded competitive win. Only Picture or top-film honors, Direction, Screenplay, and lead or supporting performances are named.

Good for
Film Club
Descriptive guidance derived from rating, genre, runtime, mood, and GCML scores.

Institutional reference ranks

Sight & Sound50IMDb Top 250—AFI 100—
Reference metadata only · not part of the 40/40/20 score

Great Cinema Master List scores

Greatness9.1
Engagement8.4
Ease7.2

English · R
Narrative Feature
Mood: Romantic & Reflective