A Song to Remember

Chopin, played by Cornel Wilde, is first presented to the audience as a child prodigy playing a piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He suddenly starts to bang on the piano keys when he notices out the window that Polish people are being taken prisoners by the Russian authorities. Years later, Chopin takes part in secret meetings to work on saving Poland with his young friends. Director Vidor depicts Polish nationalism as a major motive for Chopin playing the piano. Despite his family's apprehension, Chopin is egged on in his clandestine political activities by his devoted piano teacher, Professor Elsner.