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The Piano is about passion, the most basic and primal element of human nature. No matter how thick the veneer of civilization is, or how deeply-buried beneath layers of social repression those latent emotions are, passion ultimately cannot be denied. This is something that the three principals of this movie learn in various, often unpleasant, ways.

In the mid-1800s, Ada (Holly Hunter) arrives on the stormy shores of New Zealand, a mute bride sold by her father to a British emigrant named Stewart (Sam Neill). In addition to a normal assortment of baggage, Ada brings with her eight-year old Flora (Anna Paquin), her illegitimate daughter, and a piano. Initially, Stewart declares that the piano is too bulky to move from the beach, and resists bringing it to his house despite Ada's wordless pleadings. Next, he sells it to fellow Englishman Baines (Harvey Keitel), a man who has embraced the local Maori ways. In addition to the piano, Baines wants a reluctant Ada as his teacher. When he offers her a deal to get the instrument back, she is unprepared for the price she must ultimately pay.

With its sensuously moody cinematography, dramatic coastal landscapes, and sweeping score, this uniquely timeless evocation of a woman’s awakening is an intoxicating sensory experience that burns with the twin fires of music and erotic passion.

Director: Jane Campion
Cast: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker, Genevieve Lemon, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Peter Dennett, Te Whatanui Skipwith, Pete Smith
Country: Australia, France
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 02:00:49 | 46.5 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Commentary - in this archival audio commentary, Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman share plenty of information about the conception of The Piano and its characterizations, the manner in which particular sequences were lensed, the important role of sound and silence, Anna Paquin's performance, what it was like being and shooting in the bush, etc. The commentary was recorded in 2006.

• Jane Campion and Amy Taubin - in this new program, Jane Campion and Amy Taubin discuss the production and success of The Piano. There are some quite interesting comments about the landscape that is seen in the film and the manner in which it affects its atmosphere. The program was produced in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

• Inside "The Piano" - this archival program examines the genesis of The Piano. Included in it are clips from interviews with Jane Campion, Holly Hunter, Harvery Keitel, and Sam Neill, amongst others. The program was produced in 1993. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• "The Piano": 25 Years On - in this archival program, Jane Campion and producer Jan Chapman recall their collaboration on The Piano. The program was shot in 2018 at Karekare Beach in New Zealand, one of the film's locations. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).

• Holly Hunter - in this archival interview, Holly Hunter discusses her work with Jane Campion during the shooting of The Piano. The interview was conducted by Alicia Malone from FilmStruck in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Michael Nyman - in this archival interview, composer Michael Nyman recalls his initial impressions of the original screenplay for The Piano and discusses his approach to scoring the film as well as some of the unique challenges he faced. The interview was conducted in 2005. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Stuart Dryburgh - in this exclusive new interview, cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh discusses the visual appearance of The Piano and working relationship with Jane Campion. The interview was conducted in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Andrew McAlpine - in this exclusive new interview, production designer Andrew McAlpine discusses the unique sets that were created for The Piano. The interview was conducted in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Janet Patterson - in this archival audio interview, costumer designer Janet Patterson discusses the Victorian-era costumes that are seen in The Piano. The interview was conducted by actor Adam Bowen for the Oral History program at Australia's National Film and Sound Archive in 2015. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Waihoroi Shortland - in this exclusive new interview, Maori actor Waihoroi Shortland discusses his contribution as an adviser on The Piano. The interview was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• The Water Diary (2006) - Jane Campion directed this short film about a child's experience of life during a period of drought. It stars the director's daughter, Alice Englert. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Trailer - an original trailer for The Piano. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).