The Piano (1993)

Jane Campion’s The Piano is a hauntingly poetic and emotionally rich drama set against the misty, rugged backdrop of 19th-century New Zealand. Known for its breathtaking cinematography, evocative score, and deeply layered characters, this film won critical acclaim and cemented its place as a landmark in feminist and art-house cinema. Here’s a comprehensive dive into everything you should know about The Piano.

Detailed Summary

A Woman Without Words

The story follows Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), a mute Scottish woman sent to colonial New Zealand for an arranged marriage to landowner Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). Accompanying her are her young daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) and her most prized possession—her piano, a powerful extension of her voice and inner life. Ada communicates through sign language and her music, her silence intensifying the emotional landscape of the film.

The Piano Is Left Behind

Upon arriving, Alisdair refuses to carry the piano through the muddy terrain to his home, leaving it stranded on the beach. This decision creates the film’s central emotional and symbolic tension. The piano represents Ada’s identity, passion, and agency, and its abandonment is a brutal violation of her spirit.

Baines and the Deal

George Baines (Harvey Keitel), a rough settler living among the Māori and Alisdair’s neighbor, retrieves the piano in exchange for lessons from Ada. However, these lessons come with conditions: for each key she wants back, she must allow Baines increasing levels of intimacy. This disturbing bargain evolves into a complex relationship where genuine affection begins to grow, blurring the lines between coercion and consent.

The Husband’s Discovery

Alisdair becomes aware of the affair and is overwhelmed with rage and jealousy. In one of the film’s most unforgettable and brutal scenes, he reacts by chopping off one of Ada’s fingers with an axe, hoping to end her connection to the piano—and to Baines.

Ada’s Silent Rebellion

Despite her injury, Ada’s inner fire remains. She sends Alisdair a message via her daughter, indicating she still wants to be with Baines. Alisdair, in an uncharacteristic act of grace (and perhaps defeat), allows her to leave with Baines. Ada and her daughter depart by boat, bringing the piano along—seemingly beginning a new chapter of life.

Movie Ending

In the film’s lyrical and deeply symbolic ending, Ada chooses to have the piano thrown overboard. But as it sinks, her foot becomes entangled in the ropes, pulling her down into the ocean. For a moment, she embraces the idea of letting herself drown, her descent into the depths underscored by the film’s haunting score.

But she chooses life. Kicking free, she surfaces and is rescued.

The final scenes show Ada adjusting to life with Baines. She now wears an artificial finger and is learning to speak again, having taken vocal lessons. The piano, now resting on the sea floor, is seen one last time, its presence lingering like a ghost—still a part of her, even in absence.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Piano does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends definitively, with a haunting and poetic final image. The credits roll silently, allowing the emotional weight of the final scenes to resonate without distraction.

Type of Movie

The Piano is best categorized as a romantic drama with strong psychological, feminist, and art-house elements. It’s also a period piece and a coming-of-age story for both Ada and Flora, in vastly different ways.

Cast

• Holly Hunter as Ada McGrath
• Harvey Keitel as George Baines
• Sam Neill as Alisdair Stewart
• Anna Paquin as Flora McGrath

Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin both received Oscars for their performances—Paquin being only 11 years old at the time, making her one of the youngest Oscar winners ever.

Film Music and Composer

The unforgettable score was composed by Michael Nyman. His melancholic and minimalist piano compositions, especially “The Heart Asks Pleasure First,” have become synonymous with the film itself. The music is not just a backdrop but a storytelling tool that represents Ada’s inner life.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in New Zealand, particularly in the Northland and Auckland regions. The black sand beaches and dense forests of the North Island serve as a striking, almost otherworldly backdrop. The landscape becomes a character in itself—wild, isolating, and sublime—mirroring Ada’s own internal state.

Awards and Nominations

The Piano was highly decorated, including:

• Academy Awards:
  • Best Actress (Holly Hunter)
  • Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin)
  • Best Original Screenplay (Jane Campion)
• Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (Jane Campion — first female director to win it solo)
• Multiple BAFTAs and Golden Globes

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Holly Hunter, a classically trained pianist, played all her piano pieces herself.
• Jane Campion faced significant pushback for the film’s bold sexuality and feminist themes but insisted on creative control.
• Anna Paquin’s Oscar-winning audition consisted of a single, intense monologue—her first acting experience ever.
• Keitel insisted on shooting scenes nude for authenticity, something that caused tension during production.
• The film had trouble securing funding due to its dark tone and complex female protagonist.

Inspirations and References

• While The Piano is an original screenplay, it draws thematic inspiration from Gothic romance, Victorian literature, and Brontëan heroines.
• There are shades of Wuthering Heights in the film’s obsession, isolation, and violent passions.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no officially released alternate endings, but in early drafts, Ada was meant to drown with the piano—a tragic ending that was ultimately changed during the writing phase. Jane Campion decided Ada’s survival and reclamation of voice had more narrative and symbolic impact.

Some deleted scenes explored more of the Māori community and their views of the settlers, but these were cut for pacing and thematic focus.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A novelization was released following the film’s debut, written by Jane Campion and Kate Pullinger. It expands on Ada’s past, her relationship with her father, and includes more introspection. However, the book followed the screenplay rather than the other way around, so it’s not a source text but rather a companion piece.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Ada and Flora’s arrival at the beach, with the piano left behind.
• The erotic and uncomfortable “key for touch” scene between Ada and Baines.
• Alisdair chopping off Ada’s finger in a fit of rage.
• The piano sinking into the ocean, and Ada nearly going with it.

Iconic Quotes

• Ada (voiceover): “The voice you hear is not my speaking voice, but my mind’s voice.”
• Ada: “At night I think of my piano in its ocean grave, and sometimes of myself floating above it.”
• Alisdair: “She talks to no one, and refuses to be touched by me.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Ada’s carved piano key (used to send a message to Baines) symbolizes both her creativity and defiance.
• The piano is often framed like a coffin, hinting at its power over Ada’s life and potential death.
• The mirrors in the film often show characters’ divided selves, especially during scenes of moral conflict.

Trivia

• The role of Ada was first offered to Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
• Jane Campion became only the second woman ever nominated for Best Director at the Oscars at that time.
• Michael Nyman’s soundtrack became a bestseller and is frequently performed in concert.
• The film has been interpreted in countless academic essays as a metaphor for female repression and artistic freedom.

Why Watch?

The Piano is not just a film; it’s an emotional journey into silence, passion, and resistance. It offers:

• One of the most unique and powerful female leads in cinema.
• A richly textured narrative told with poetic subtlety.
• A moving musical score that elevates the storytelling.
• Visually breathtaking cinematography that lingers in your memory.
• An emotional depth and complexity that rewards multiple viewings.

Director’s Other Movies

• An Angel at My Table (1990)
• Holy Smoke! (1999)
• In the Cut (2003)
• Bright Star (2009)
• The Power of the Dog (2021)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
• Wuthering Heights (2011)
• The Remains of the Day (1993)
• Bright Star (2009)
• Room (2015)
• The Hours (2002)
• Atonement (2007)