David Helfgott, a gifted pianist, struggles through childhood as his dysfunctional father abuses him and his siblings. Years later, he suffers a mental breakdown but manages to return as a legend.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 45 wins & 52 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Geoffrey Rush | ... |
David Helfgott - Adult
|
|
 |
Justin Braine | ... |
Tony
|
| Sonia Todd | ... |
Sylvia
|
|
| Chris Haywood | ... |
Sam
|
|
|
|
Alex Rafalowicz | ... |
David Helfgott - Child
|
|
|
Gordon Poole | ... |
Eisteddfod Presenter
|
| Armin Mueller-Stahl | ... |
Peter
|
|
| Nicholas Bell | ... |
Ben Rosen
|
|
|
|
Danielle Cox | ... |
Suzie - Child
|
|
|
Rebecca Gooden | ... |
Margaret
|
| Marta Kaczmarek | ... |
Rachel
|
|
|
|
John Cousins | ... |
Jim Minogue
|
| Noah Taylor | ... |
David Helfgott - Adolescent
|
|
|
|
Paul Linkson | ... |
State Champion Announcer
|
| Randall Berger | ... |
Isaac Stern
|
|
|
|
Ian Welbourne | ... |
Boy Next Door
|
|
|
Kelly Bottrill | ... |
Louise - Baby
|
|
|
Beverley Vaughan | ... |
Rabbi
|
|
|
Phyllis Burford | ... |
Synagogue Secretary
|
|
|
Daphne Grey | ... |
Society Hostess
|
| Edwin Hodgeman | ... |
Soviet Society Secretary
|
|
| Googie Withers | ... |
Katharine Susannah Prichard
|
|
|
|
Maria Dafneros | ... |
Sonia
(as Maria Dafnero)
|
|
|
Reis Porter | ... |
Postman
|
|
|
Stephen Sheehan | ... |
Roger Woodward - Younger
|
|
|
Brenton Whittle | ... |
Announcer
|
|
|
Marianna Doherty | ... |
Suzie - Teenager
|
|
|
Camilla James | ... |
Louise - Child
|
| John Gielgud | ... |
Cecil Parkes
|
|
|
|
David King | ... |
Viney
|
| Danny Davies | ... |
Registrar
|
|
|
|
Helen Dowell | ... |
Sarah
|
|
|
Louise Dorling | ... |
Muriel
|
|
|
Sean Carlsen | ... |
Student
|
|
|
Richard Hansell | ... |
Ashley
|
| Robert Hands | ... |
Robert
|
|
| Marc Warren | ... |
Ray
|
|
|
|
Neil Thomson | ... |
RCOM Conductor
|
| Jo Kennedy | ... |
Suzie - Adult
(as Joey Kennedy)
|
|
|
|
Ellen Cressey | ... |
Nurse
|
|
|
Beverley Dunn | ... |
Beryl Alcott
|
|
|
Andy Seymour | ... |
Bar Customer
|
| Lynn Redgrave | ... |
Gillian
|
|
| Ella Scott Lynch | ... |
Jessica
|
|
|
|
Jethro Heysen-Hicks | ... |
Rowan
|
| John Martin | ... |
Roger Woodward - Older
|
|
|
|
Bill Boyley | ... |
Celebrant
|
|
|
Teresa La Rocca | ... |
Opera Singer
|
|
|
Lindsey Day | ... |
Opera Singer
|
|
|
Grant Doyle | ... |
Opera Singer
|
|
|
Leah Jennings | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Kathy Monaghan | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Mark Lawrence | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Gordon Coombes | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Luke Dollman | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Margaret Stone | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Tom Carrig | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Helen Ayres | ... |
Musician
|
|
|
Suzi Jarratt | ... |
Vocalist
|
|
|
Samantha McDonald | ... |
Vocalist
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Ambrae Jamae | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Bernard Kane Jr. | ... |
Viola player in orchestra (uncredited)
|
|
|
Peter Osborn | ... |
Priest (uncredited)
|
|
|
Sandi Roberts | ... |
Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
|
|
|
Louise Siversen | ... |
Extra in Ballroom Scene (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Scott Hicks | ||
Written by
| Jan Sardi | ... | (screenplay) |
| Scott Hicks | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Jane Scott | ... | producer |
Music by
| David Hirschfelder | ||
Cinematography by
| Geoffrey Simpson | ||
Editing by
| Pip Karmel | ||
Editorial Department
| Arthur Cambridge | ... | color grader: Atlab |
| Mark Ellis | ... | assistant film editor |
| Sue Nicola | ... | cutter |
| Rohan Wilson | ... | negative matcher |
| Tony Lynch | ... | post-production coordinator (uncredited) |
Production Design by
| Vicki Niehus | ||
Art Direction by
| Tony Cronin | ||
Costume Design by
| Louise Wakefield | ||
Makeup Department
| Sue Black | ... | makeup assistant: UK |
| Liz Dingle | ... | additional hair stylist / additional makeup artist |
| Pamela Haddock | ... | makeup artist: UK |
| Rick Martin | ... | additional hair stylist / additional makeup artist |
| Fiona Rees-Jones | ... | additional hair stylist / additional makeup artist |
| Lesley Vanderwalt | ... | makeup artist |
| Paul Williams | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Peter Hoyland | ... | music production manager |
| Andrew Marshall | ... | unit manager |
| Elizabeth Symes | ... | production manager |
| Sylvia Walker-Wilson | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Guy Campbell | ... | second assistant director |
| Toby Coke | ... | third assistant director: UK |
| Carolynne Cunningham | ... | first assistant director |
| Henry Osborne | ... | second assistant director |
| Tom Read | ... | third assistant director |
| Stephen Woolfenden | ... | second assistant director: UK |
Art Department
| Mike Bartlett | ... | dressing props: UK |
| Perscia Brokensha | ... | art department runner |
| Louise Cameron | ... | art department coordinator |
| Jacqui Canty | ... | art department attachment |
| Judy Farr | ... | property buyer: UK / set dresser: UK |
| Alastair Gow | ... | stand-by carpenter: UK (as Alistair Gow) |
| Jo Graysmark | ... | assistant art director: UK (as Johanna Graysmark) |
| John Haratzis | ... | scenic artist |
| Kevin Jarrett | ... | carpenter |
| Ben Johnson | ... | painter |
| Peter Looby | ... | stand-by prop: UK |
| Adam McCulloch | ... | draftsman |
| David McHenry | ... | art director: UK |
| Leroy Plummer | ... | stand-by props |
| Paul Purdy | ... | property master: UK |
| John Santucci | ... | painter |
| Andrew Short | ... | property buyer / set dresser |
| Brock Sykes | ... | greensman |
| Arthur Vette | ... | construction manager |
| Alicia Walsh | ... | property buyer / set dresser |
| Will Ayres | ... | dressing props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Martin Bayley | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Steve Burgess | ... | foley artist |
| Helen Field | ... | sound liaison |
| Jim Greenhorn | ... | sound recordist: UK |
| Toivo Lember | ... | sound recordist |
| Gerry Long | ... | foley artist (as Gerard Long) |
| Scott Piper | ... | boom operator |
| Livia Ruzic | ... | dialogue editor |
| Roger Savage | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Joanne Stephens-Smith | ... | boom operator: UK |
| Gareth Vanderhope | ... | sound effects editor |
| Nick Roberts | ... | adr recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Ray Fowler | ... | special effects coordinator |
Visual Effects by
| Paul Cross | ... | optical effects |
| Roger Cowland | ... | visual effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Richard Boué | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Peter Arnold | ... | electrician: UK |
| Scott Brokate | ... | assistant grip |
| Tony Burns | ... | generator operator: UK (as Tony Burnes) |
| Jasmine Yuen Carrucan | ... | clapper loader (as Jasmine Carrucan) |
| John Donoghue | ... | gaffer: UK |
| Sally Eccleston | ... | focus puller |
| Warren Ewen | ... | best boy: UK (as Warren Ewan) |
| David Foreman | ... | camera operator: second unit |
| Sam Garwood | ... | Steadicam focus puller: UK |
| Werner Gerlach | ... | best boy |
| Jon Goldney | ... | key grip |
| Renee Hanna | ... | video split operator |
| Richard Anthony Hyde | ... | fourth electrician (as Richard Hyde) |
| Robertto Karas | ... | third electrician |
| Lorraine Luke | ... | clapper loader: UK |
| Alix Mumford | ... | camera trainee: UK |
| Jan Pester | ... | Steadicam operator: UK |
| Craig 'Rags' Philpot | ... | assistant camera: second unit (as Craig Philpott) |
| Barry Read | ... | grip: UK |
| Peter Santucci | ... | assistant grip |
| Graeme Shelton | ... | gaffer: second unit |
| Geoffrey Simpson | ... | camera operator |
| Andy Smith | ... | second electrician |
| Mark Tillie | ... | still photographer: UK |
| Lisa Tomasetti | ... | still photographer |
| Trevor Toune | ... | gaffer |
| David Dunkley | ... | underwater camera assistant (uncredited) |
| Philip Le Masurier | ... | special photographer (uncredited) |
| Gary Parnham | ... | rigging electrician: UK (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Sharon Howard-Field | ... | casting: USA (as Sharon Howard Field) |
| Jan Killen | ... | extras casting |
| Karen Lindsay-Stewart | ... | casting: UK |
| Liz Mullinar | ... | casting: Australia |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Iona Kenrick | ... | wardrobe assistant: UK |
| Mariot Kerr | ... | costume assistant / cutter |
| Jeanette Luke | ... | costume assistant |
| Jenny Miles | ... | costume supervisor |
| Nina Parsons | ... | stand-by wardrobe |
| Jenny Ramos | ... | costume assistant |
| Ros Ward | ... | wardrobe supervisor: UK |
| Monica Willis | ... | costume assistant |
| Angela Winters | ... | costume assistant |
Location Management
| Maurice Burns | ... | location manager |
| Rikke Dakin | ... | assistant location manager: UK |
| Charles Hubbard | ... | location manager: UK |
| Josh Moore | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| Michael Costa | ... | assistant music editor |
| Ricky Edwards | ... | assistant musical director / musician: piano |
| Sandy Edwards | ... | music production assistant |
| Robin Gray | ... | additional music engineer |
| Kim Green | ... | source music clearances |
| David Helfgott | ... | musician: piano |
| Robert John | ... | orchestra leader |
| Michael Letho | ... | music mixing engineer |
| Stella O'Malley | ... | music production assistant |
| Adam Rhodes | ... | additional music engineer |
| Sam Schwartz | ... | music notation editor (as Sam Schwarz) |
| David Williams | ... | additional music engineer |
| Christine Woodruff | ... | source music clearances |
| Ricky Edwards | ... | conductor (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Jo Weeks | ... | continuity |
Transportation Department
| Jim Atkins | ... | driver: UK |
| Jon Blaikie | ... | action vehicle coordinator |
| Clive Randall | ... | driver: UK |
| Harry Smith | ... | unit driver: UK |
| John Smith | ... | unit driver: UK |
| Paul Thompson | ... | driver: UK |
| Paul Venezia | ... | driver: UK |
Additional Crew
| Lee Abberley | ... | stand-in: Mr. Taylor: UK |
| Sal Alba | ... | Yiddish advisor |
| Ian Anderson | ... | laboratory liaison |
| Hilary Benson | ... | production coordinator: UK |
| Jennifer Bichard | ... | unit nurse (as Jenny Bichard) |
| Julie Byrne | ... | second assistant attachment |
| Lesley Campion | ... | cashier: UK |
| Vladimir Chishkovsky | ... | harpsichord technician |
| Ross Clunes | ... | studio technician |
| Martin Cousin | ... | hand double: Noah Taylor |
| Steve Crook | ... | psychiatric advisor |
| Christina Díaz Norman | ... | assistant to producer (as Christina Norman) |
| Cherry Fiddaman | ... | production accountant: UK |
| Rabbi Figdor | ... | advisor: bar mitzvah |
| Frederic N. Gaines | ... | lawyer: USA |
| Serena Gattuso | ... | production coordinator |
| Debbie Hanson | ... | unit assistant (as Deb Hanson) |
| Yiani Harpas | ... | stand-in: Master Rafalowicz |
| Tina Hennel | ... | unit assistant |
| Kerry Heysen | ... | creative consultant |
| Scott Heysen | ... | production runner |
| Colleen Kennedy | ... | accounting assistant |
| Susanna Lenton | ... | continuity: UK |
| Paul Lightfoot | ... | unit assistant |
| Paul Linkson | ... | stand-in: Mr. Mueller-Stahl |
| John Macgregor | ... | story research and development |
| Tracey Mair | ... | publicist: Australia |
| Steve Marcus | ... | caterer |
| Ronald Markham | ... | stand-in: Sir John Gielgud, UK |
| Chris McGuire | ... | production accountant |
| Susie Menzies | ... | production secretary: UK |
| Sara Morris | ... | production runner: UK |
| Heather Muirhead | ... | production secretary |
| Vincent R. Nebrida | ... | senior marketing manager |
| Brent Ottley | ... | disklavier technician |
| Melinda Parker | ... | catering assistant |
| Carolyne Pool | ... | stand-in: Ms. Redgrave: UK |
| Paul Sarony | ... | production advisor: UK |
| Leilah Schubert | ... | third assistant attachment |
| Fiona Searson | ... | publicist: international |
| Greg Sitch | ... | lawyer: Australia |
| Sara Abel Smith | ... | stand-in: Ms. Redgrave |
| Peter Spaeth | ... | stand-in: Mr. Taylor |
| Simon Tedeschi | ... | hand double: Alex Rafalowicz |
| Bernadette Van Gyen | ... | safety reporter |
| Edward Noeltner | ... | licensing (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Alice Carrard | ... | thanks |
| David Helfgott | ... | thanks |
| Gillian Helfgott | ... | thanks |
| Brian Rosen | ... | thanks |
| Win Warren | ... | thanks |
Production Companies
- Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)
- Film Victoria
- Momentum Films
- Soundfirm
- The South Australian Film Corporation
Distributors
- Ronin Films (1996) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1996) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Fine Line Features (1996) (United States) (theatrical)
- Pinema (1996) (Turkey)
- Buena Vista International (1997) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1997) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1997) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Gaumont Buena Vista International (GBVI) (1997) (France) (theatrical)
- Media Asia Films (1997) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
- Prooptiki (1997) (Greece) (theatrical)
- SF Studio (1997) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (1997) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Vitória Filmes (1997) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Alliance Video (1997) (Canada) (VHS)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1997) (Greece) (VHS)
- Buena Vista International (1997) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- ERA Home Entertainment (1997) (Hong Kong) (video)
- Gativideo (1997) (Argentina) (VHS)
- New Line Home Video (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- Roadshow Home Video (1997) (Australia) (VHS)
- The Criterion Collection (1997) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Roadshow Entertainment Video (1998) (Australia) (video)
- Sky Box Office (1998) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Starz (1998) (United States) (tv)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1999) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC 1)
- TNT (1999) (United States) (tv)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2001) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC 1)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2001) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC 2)
- Roadshow Entertainment Video (2001) (Australia) (DVD)
- Buena Vista International (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
- Buena Vista International (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Film Four Distributors (2003) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2004) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2006) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC 4)
- Gativideo (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2015) (Australia) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2015) (Australia) (video)
- GEM Entertainment (2016) (Non-US) (multi-territory)
- StudioCanal (2017) (Germany) (DVD) (BluRay)
- ARTE (2021) (Germany) (tv)
- ARTE (2021) (France) (tv)
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) (2025) (Australia) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- AAV Australia (videotape house)
- ARRI Lighting Rental (lighting)
- ARRI Media (camera rentals: uk)
- Adelphia Studio (music recording)
- Allan Eaton Studios (music recording)
- Block-Korenbrot Public Relations (Publicist)
- Brashs, Adelaide (musical instruments)
- Cameraquip Australia (camera equipment)
- Colour & Movement Films (developed with assistance from)
- Ebony & Ivory (musical instruments)
- Esoteric Technologies P/L (astrological software)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- Film Victoria (developed with assistance from)
- Freeway CAM B.V. (collection account management)
- Great Scott Productions Pty. Ltd. (developed with assistance from)
- HW Wood (insurance)
- Lucasfilm THX / TAP Theater Alignment Program (Quality assurance services were provided by)
- Manny's Music (musical instruments)
- Marshalls & Dent (lawyer: australia)
- Mayer, Glassman & Gaines (lawyer: usa)
- Morris Angel & Son (costume rentals: uk)
- NSW Film & TV Office (developed with assistance from)
- Optical & Graphics (titles)
- Philips Classics (soundtrack published by)
- Ray Knight Casting (additional casting: uk)
- Roadshow Coote & Carroll (developed with assistance from)
- Robert Smith Agency (extras casting: uk)
- Ronin Films (developed with assistance from)
- Soundfirm (post-production sound)
- Sundance Film Festival (festival)
- The Australian Film Commission (script developed with assistance from)
- The Royal College of Music Orchestra (group performers)
- The South Australian Film Corporation (developed and produced with assistance from)
- Toronto International Film Festival (festival)
- Traveltoo (travel services)
- Wood Hall Catering (caterer: UK)
- Yamaha Music (musical instruments)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
As a child piano prodigy, David Helfgott's musical ambitions generate friction with his overbearing father, Peter. When Helfgott travels to London on a musical scholarship, his career as a pianist blossoms. However, the pressures of his newfound fame, coupled with the echoes of his tumultuous childhood, conspire to bring Helfgott's latent schizophrenia boiling to the surface, and he spends years in and out of various mental institutions. Written by Jwelch5742 |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | A true story of the mystery of music and the miracle of love See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Official Sites | |
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $5,500,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Geoffrey Rush had once learned the piano up until aged fourteen. He took up piano lessons again thirty years later for this movie and also acted as his own hand double and body double. See more » |
| Goofs | The character shows all signs of schizophrenia; not bipolar disorder (formerly known as "manic-depressive disorder"), as is claimed in the film. The real David Helfgott likewise displays many symptoms of schizophrenia and none of bipolar disorder. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Star Trek: First Contact/Shine/Jingle All the Way/Sling Blade/Microcosmos (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | With A Girl Like You See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Himself: hand double for Geoffrey Rush See more » |
| Quotes |
Cecil Parkes:
You must play as if there's no tomorrow. See more » |