Seven Years in Tibet is to the true story what the Sound of Music is to Maria Von Trapp's autobiography. Maria writes in the second volume of her autobiography that she wanted to sue the film makers, and I wonder whether Heinrich feels the same. I thought it was an excellent film that did a great job of conveying accurately what Lhasa looks like, having earlier seen a book of photographs from British expeditions around 1910. And I am glad it generated some sympathy for the plight of the Tibetans. But having since read Heinrich's autobiography, it appears that virtually every event in the movie was made up, including the business with the watch. I don't understand why, because the true story was fascinating, with lots of drama. What is wrong with the minds and egos of people in Hollywood? If they want to completely distort the original facts, don't call it non-fiction.
193 Reviews
Totally underrated!
SleepySamurai3 August 2010
Personally, I find it hard to believe this movie is rated so lowly. It is at least a 7.5 in my books. Its far from perfect, but how many films out there actually question your beliefs and your actions and allows you to reflect on how you can live your life better? How many films make you want to know more about the film, the location, the people, the characters? Trust me, this film will make you more inquisitive and curious and probably open your eyes to the world beyond your borders.
Again, it is far from perfect, but watch it and try to see where I'm coming from. If you do not share my sentiments then, at least Brad Pitt's excellent acting and the gorgeous cinematography will keep your interest.
Again, it is far from perfect, but watch it and try to see where I'm coming from. If you do not share my sentiments then, at least Brad Pitt's excellent acting and the gorgeous cinematography will keep your interest.
Some Wrong Description In This Movie
dufake-29 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I'm not going to fight against this movie and the 14th Dalai Lama. By contrast, I love this movie and I don't hate the Lama. What I wanna say is about the details of that part in Tibettan history. For some reasons, this movie has given some wrong stuff about the historical facts. 1.In this movie, the first meeting between Dalai Lama and General Chang Jingwu happened before the Changdu Battle. It's wrong. Chinese didn't send an envoy before the war. In that time, Chang was an officer in CPC's Central Military Comitee. After Ngawang Jigme had surrendered, Mao Zedong decided to sent him to meet Dalai Lama. And in the movie, they met in Lhasa, but in the really history, the place was in somewhere called Yadong (in Chinese accent) where Dalai Lama fled to after the Changdu Battle. 2.In the movie, when Chang Jingwu met Dalai Lama for the first time in 1950, he shouted "Religion is Poison". Wrong again. The man who said this slogan in front of Dalai Lama was Mao Zedong and the year was 1954. Before 1950, there is not any Chinese in Tibet, so China was going to CONVINCE Dalai Lama to accept the occupation instead of governing an unfamilliar colony itself. They didn't want to force him to flee the country in that time although they did it nine years later. So, General Chang didn't say that terrible sentence in 1950. 3.In the movie, young Dalai Lama took the power from other old powerful tibettans before the war, was because of the appeal of Tibettan people. No. He got the power because necromancer said yes. Tibet was not a modern and democratic country. 4.In the movie, Tibettan army's defeat was because the surrender of Ngawang Jigme. It's unfair. In the Changdu Battle, Tibettan army lost about 6,000 soldiers and they had only 8,000 before the war. In Tibet, solider was a job for the people who were despised by others. So the army couldn't attract real good people to protect their motherland. And there is another important reason: before 1950, Tibet had a very long time without any war, and China had just suffered a bloody civil war so the soldiers were all veterans. Tibet couldn't fight China. Jigme had no choice. 5.In the movie, Chinese army did the massacre when they just entered Tibet. Wrong. They didn't did it until 1955 and the real climax of the massacre was from 1960 to 1972. For some reasons, Chinese army wanted to be kind in the beginning of the occupation. Some Tibettan political prisoners also said that the Chinese army did thing well in the beginning. But when Mao begun to try to be an evil in the mainland of China (in about 1957), the soldiers in Tibet was beginning to work as there leader.
Sorry for my bad English writing.
Sorry for my bad English writing.
An Underrated Pleasure
Mankin9 February 1999
"Seven Years in Tibet" was a pleasant surprise. Sporting an Austrian accent that got slammed by some critics, I thought Brad Pitt was pretty good as an arrogant Nazi who finds himself captured by the British during a failed expedition to the Himalayas and is later stranded in Tibet after escaping from a POW camp. He finds his humanity in the forbidden-to-foreigners city of Lhasa, especially after meeting the 14 year old Dalai Lama. Echoes of "Lost Horizon," "The King and I" "Last Emperor" and others abound, but the movie is "old Hollywood" in the best sense with magnificent scenery (widescreen advised: the mountains and countryside of Argentina and Canada stand in for Tibet). The heart of the movie is the relationship between the blond Aryan golden boy and the young "Kundun," with a performance by the young Tibetan actor playing the latter that is so charming he nearly steals the whole film. An engrossing blend of fact and fiction, the picture manages to avoid condescending to the Tibetans and over-reverent preachiness. Wrapped in an excellent production, this epic story makes entertaining viewing. One question: how did the young Dalai Lama come by his love of movies in that remote location?
Have you read the book?
pathak-jeet12 October 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This film succeeded in doing something remarkable, namely, to portray all the main characters in poor light. Far from being faithful to the book (on which it is based) it lowers the stature of Heinrich Harrer, Peter Aufschnaiter and HH the Dalai Lama. Some new dimensions have been introduced being Harrer's longing for his son, a Love triangle, and competitive nature of friendship between Harrer and Aufschnaiter. None of these things were present in the book.
Another disappointing part of the movie is that very little coverage has been given to the part describing the duo's escape and subsequent success in entering Tibet.
Though, not everything is lost because this film succeeds in attracting international attention to the plight of the Tibetan people and the tragedy that befell Tibet. For this I give it 7 stars.
Another disappointing part of the movie is that very little coverage has been given to the part describing the duo's escape and subsequent success in entering Tibet.
Though, not everything is lost because this film succeeds in attracting international attention to the plight of the Tibetan people and the tragedy that befell Tibet. For this I give it 7 stars.
If it hadn't been that unnecessarily long, this would have been a masterpiece
philip_vanderveken31 January 2005
It's too bad that the movie had to be 139 minutes long. It's not that I can't handle movies that are that long, but when watching longer movies, I expect that it has something to say during that extra time and that's where it sometimes went wrong with "Seven Years in Tibet". It just seemed to keep dragging on forever without contributing to the story.
It needs about 2/3 of the time to show what a bad guy Heinrich Harrer actually is and only 1/3 of the time to show how he changes and gradually becomes a good man. All he thinks about is his career as a mountain climber. In 1939, just before World War II, his wife is pregnant with their first child. Harrer doesn't want to take up his responsibility and 'flees' from her by going to Tibet, where he will try to conquer Mount Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas. Because he is an Austrian and because the Nazi's already have taken over power in Austria, they will use his successes to prove that the Germans are the best race (I hope I don't have to explain the entire Nazi ideology to you, but that you paid enough attention during history class). During his attempt to reach the summit he is arrested by the British and taken to a POW-camp. After several attempts to escape he finally succeeds and together with Peter Aufschnaiter he succeeds to reach Tibet. First he is his old, bad self, but gradually he changes his lifestyle and becomes more 'Tibetan'. He even knows to get the attention of the very young Dalai Lama and becomes friends with him during the period that the Chinese took over power in Tibet.
I don't know if all that is shown in this movie actually happened or to which extent some parts have been made up. Of course it is all a bit politically 'colored' (the Tibetan question is still not solved until today and so there will always be people who will choose China's side and say that what is shown here is completely wrong), but that doesn't mean that this movie doesn't carry a powerful message. But even without this message of being a good husband and not being a career driven jerk, the philosophical Tibetan approach to problems... this movie is very nice eye candy. The landscapes are absolutely stunning and Tibet really looks like a place that certainly is worth a visit. The acting is very good and it all looks very believable.
So despite the fact that this movie dragged on from time to time and that it should have been a bit shorter, this still is a very nice film. I give it a 7/10, perhaps even a 7.5/10.
It needs about 2/3 of the time to show what a bad guy Heinrich Harrer actually is and only 1/3 of the time to show how he changes and gradually becomes a good man. All he thinks about is his career as a mountain climber. In 1939, just before World War II, his wife is pregnant with their first child. Harrer doesn't want to take up his responsibility and 'flees' from her by going to Tibet, where he will try to conquer Mount Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas. Because he is an Austrian and because the Nazi's already have taken over power in Austria, they will use his successes to prove that the Germans are the best race (I hope I don't have to explain the entire Nazi ideology to you, but that you paid enough attention during history class). During his attempt to reach the summit he is arrested by the British and taken to a POW-camp. After several attempts to escape he finally succeeds and together with Peter Aufschnaiter he succeeds to reach Tibet. First he is his old, bad self, but gradually he changes his lifestyle and becomes more 'Tibetan'. He even knows to get the attention of the very young Dalai Lama and becomes friends with him during the period that the Chinese took over power in Tibet.
I don't know if all that is shown in this movie actually happened or to which extent some parts have been made up. Of course it is all a bit politically 'colored' (the Tibetan question is still not solved until today and so there will always be people who will choose China's side and say that what is shown here is completely wrong), but that doesn't mean that this movie doesn't carry a powerful message. But even without this message of being a good husband and not being a career driven jerk, the philosophical Tibetan approach to problems... this movie is very nice eye candy. The landscapes are absolutely stunning and Tibet really looks like a place that certainly is worth a visit. The acting is very good and it all looks very believable.
So despite the fact that this movie dragged on from time to time and that it should have been a bit shorter, this still is a very nice film. I give it a 7/10, perhaps even a 7.5/10.
A vibrant tale of a caustic climber's change
dfranzen704 March 2000
Heinrich Harrer is not a nice man. Driven, you might say, but overall not the most gregarious of individuals. His single-minded mission: scale a particularly difficult Alps peak in Austria. Of course, when he does so he abandons his girlfriend and their unborn child, but hey - you have to have goals in life, right? But this isn't a simple tale of a man finding himself on the mountain. You see, poor Heinrich's dream of scaling the peak isn't realized. World War II breaks out and he's taken off the mountain by Allied forces and imprisoned. He breaks out and attempts to visit Tibet, completely closed off to foreigners. Starving and cold, he eventually gains admittance, and through luck somehow becomes friends with the young Dalai Lama. It's the relationship between the two of them that changes Heinrich from a bitter, selfish, and self-absorbed young man into a diligent, thoughtful and courageous adult. At the Dalai Lama's bidding, Heinrich introduces movies to the Tibetans, and he teaches the young spiritual leader all he can about the Western world.
Perhaps the most appealing thing about this true-to-life story is the casting of Brad Pitt as Heinrich. The man with the six-pack abs is not usually the first choice when it comes to the pensive roles, but Pitt pulls off the feat with style and a real sense of class. What's more, his character's transformation is gradual and perfectly plausible; it's not one of those one-minute-he's-a-jerk, the-next-minute-he's-a-saint transformations. This isn't easy for an actor to do, especially one with Pitt's maligned reputation. Mix in delightful cinematography with sumptuous scenes of Tibet itself, and you got yourself a fine movie. Don't think of it as overburdened drama, think of it as a spiritual odyssey. The true purpose and nature of this odyssey, however, remains unknown to our protagonist until he visits the ancient city of Tibet.
Perhaps the most appealing thing about this true-to-life story is the casting of Brad Pitt as Heinrich. The man with the six-pack abs is not usually the first choice when it comes to the pensive roles, but Pitt pulls off the feat with style and a real sense of class. What's more, his character's transformation is gradual and perfectly plausible; it's not one of those one-minute-he's-a-jerk, the-next-minute-he's-a-saint transformations. This isn't easy for an actor to do, especially one with Pitt's maligned reputation. Mix in delightful cinematography with sumptuous scenes of Tibet itself, and you got yourself a fine movie. Don't think of it as overburdened drama, think of it as a spiritual odyssey. The true purpose and nature of this odyssey, however, remains unknown to our protagonist until he visits the ancient city of Tibet.
A moving, well-crafted, and visually breathtaking film
kaos-239 May 2004
First of all, Seven Years In Tibet is a very aesthetically pleasing film. The snowy Himalayas, the Tibetan villages, and the amazing costumes and religious ceremonies are all filmed beautifully, with rich colours and lighting. The music by John Williams is also excellent, and it's fascinating to hear how it blends with the unusual Tibetan music.
It's not all surface though, there's depth here too. Don't believe the negative comments about Brad Pitt's acting. Admittedly his accent slips a bit in places, but he does a great job as Heinrich, both the unpleasant, arrogant character at the beginning, and the more gentle and wise man that he becomes as the film progresses. His relationship with the young Dalai Lama (a very impressive actor) is an unusual one and refreshingly unsentimental. The film is well edited; scenes are not drawn out any longer than they need to be. As a whole, it is fast paced but also peaceful, tender and moving. You don't get bored but you're not bombarded with pointless action scenes either.
It's a pleasant surprise to see a Hollywood film where women and other cultures aren't treated as objects, and are allowed to be full, complex characters. It could be argued that this film has a Western perspective, but after all, it is adapted from a book written by a European living in Tibet, and intended for Western audiences. It treats the Tibetan culture with a great deal of respect, so I don't really see a problem with that. Similarly, those who have complained that it doesn't tell you enough about the Dalai Lama and too much about Heinrich, ultimately it is Heinrich's story, and that is its strength: that it is one man's tale, and not a political polemic. It gives you a great sense of how people's stories intersect and how the whole world is connected.
Overall, an unusual film, very involving and emotional without sentimentality, with wonderful music and outstanding cinematography. Highly recommended.
It's not all surface though, there's depth here too. Don't believe the negative comments about Brad Pitt's acting. Admittedly his accent slips a bit in places, but he does a great job as Heinrich, both the unpleasant, arrogant character at the beginning, and the more gentle and wise man that he becomes as the film progresses. His relationship with the young Dalai Lama (a very impressive actor) is an unusual one and refreshingly unsentimental. The film is well edited; scenes are not drawn out any longer than they need to be. As a whole, it is fast paced but also peaceful, tender and moving. You don't get bored but you're not bombarded with pointless action scenes either.
It's a pleasant surprise to see a Hollywood film where women and other cultures aren't treated as objects, and are allowed to be full, complex characters. It could be argued that this film has a Western perspective, but after all, it is adapted from a book written by a European living in Tibet, and intended for Western audiences. It treats the Tibetan culture with a great deal of respect, so I don't really see a problem with that. Similarly, those who have complained that it doesn't tell you enough about the Dalai Lama and too much about Heinrich, ultimately it is Heinrich's story, and that is its strength: that it is one man's tale, and not a political polemic. It gives you a great sense of how people's stories intersect and how the whole world is connected.
Overall, an unusual film, very involving and emotional without sentimentality, with wonderful music and outstanding cinematography. Highly recommended.
Pretty Good, DespiteThe Bias
ccthemovieman-118 April 2006
Even though this probably was a just a propaganda piece for the Dali Lama, I found it a surprisingly good story.
Nice to see Brad Pitt in such a restrained role. Unlike Christianity, the religious matter here is treated with reverence by Hollywood but that aside, it remains an interesting story of Henrik Harrer (Pitt) his adventures getting to Tibet with his friend " Peter Aufschnaiter" (David Thewlis) and then his relationship to the young Dali Lama.
The film is as pretty as you would expect from one in such mountainous surroundings . There are really nice colors in here and the movie looks just great on DVD. The story bogs down a bit in places but not for too long as it tells of Harrer's escape from the Western world and from participating in WWII. He winds up spending seven years in Tibet, hence the title.
Finally, I thought the soundtrack was good, too, featuring an instrument I don't know but love its sound. The cinematography in here, and justifiably, gets a lot of attention, but the music is great, too.
Nice to see Brad Pitt in such a restrained role. Unlike Christianity, the religious matter here is treated with reverence by Hollywood but that aside, it remains an interesting story of Henrik Harrer (Pitt) his adventures getting to Tibet with his friend " Peter Aufschnaiter" (David Thewlis) and then his relationship to the young Dali Lama.
The film is as pretty as you would expect from one in such mountainous surroundings . There are really nice colors in here and the movie looks just great on DVD. The story bogs down a bit in places but not for too long as it tells of Harrer's escape from the Western world and from participating in WWII. He winds up spending seven years in Tibet, hence the title.
Finally, I thought the soundtrack was good, too, featuring an instrument I don't know but love its sound. The cinematography in here, and justifiably, gets a lot of attention, but the music is great, too.
One Of The Most Unique Adventures Of The Twentieth Century
bkoganbing6 March 2007
Tibet has certainly fascinated people all over the world. The hidden land in the most forbidding place on the planet not at either pole. In its day Lost Horrizon made quite a bit of money for its author James Hilton. But the real story of Heinrich Harrer is better than anything a fictional author could have thought up.
Brad Pitt is Harrer in Seven Years In Tibet and this has become my favorite film of his. Heinrich Harrer, a world famous mountain climber and Austrian national hero goes on an expedition in 1939 to conquer an unclimbed peak in the Himalayas. While he's doing his mountain climbing Germany of which Austria is now part of marches into Poland and World War II begins. Harrer and his party are interred as enemy aliens.
In 1942 Harrer escaped and he and a friend played by David Thewlis make their way into Tibet. The rest of the film is the seven years he spent there, centered around the unique friendship he formed with the child ruler of Tibet, the Dalai Lama. This in fact is the same Dalai Lama who today is possibly the world's greatest and non-aligned apostle of the gospel of peace.
Brad Pitt is never better in the film than he is with the three child actors who play the Dalai Lama at various stages of his life. The physical hardship that he and Thewlis endure just getting into Tibet is adventure enough. But the spiritual journey he undergoes in his time there makes this one of the most unique adventure stories of the last century.
One thing I liked about Seven Years in Tibet is that no effort was made to cover up Harrer's Nazi background. In an alternate universe one can speculate on what might have happened to him had he actually had to serve in the army in World War II. His internment saved him from possibly being involved any number of atrocities. God, fate, some kind of higher power saved him for something wonderful.
The cinematography is breathtaking, this film had an incredible number of locations. Note that it was shot in British Columbia, in Argentina with the Andes serving as the Himalayas, Austria and even some establishing footage was shot in Tibet itself on the sly.
Tibet's status is unique unto the world. It has been part of China since the Ming dynasty. It's referred to properly as the autonomous region of Tibet. China has given it autonomy in varying degrees over the past several centuries, it's never been truly independent. The Communist regime back in the days of Mao Tse-tung brutally asserted it's sovereignty a few times, most notably in late fifties when the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet and live in Northern India where he resides to this day. That is when he's not traveling the world as it's foremost advocate of non-violence.
It is sad that this film did not get more box office than it did. Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, director Jean Jacques Arnaud are all persona non grata in the People's Republic of China for making this film. Quite a market indeed to be shut out of for a stand for humanity.
It's to be hoped that one day the Tibetans will be free. Until then they have their unique brand of Buddhism to sustain them and this wonderful film to tell their story.
Brad Pitt is Harrer in Seven Years In Tibet and this has become my favorite film of his. Heinrich Harrer, a world famous mountain climber and Austrian national hero goes on an expedition in 1939 to conquer an unclimbed peak in the Himalayas. While he's doing his mountain climbing Germany of which Austria is now part of marches into Poland and World War II begins. Harrer and his party are interred as enemy aliens.
In 1942 Harrer escaped and he and a friend played by David Thewlis make their way into Tibet. The rest of the film is the seven years he spent there, centered around the unique friendship he formed with the child ruler of Tibet, the Dalai Lama. This in fact is the same Dalai Lama who today is possibly the world's greatest and non-aligned apostle of the gospel of peace.
Brad Pitt is never better in the film than he is with the three child actors who play the Dalai Lama at various stages of his life. The physical hardship that he and Thewlis endure just getting into Tibet is adventure enough. But the spiritual journey he undergoes in his time there makes this one of the most unique adventure stories of the last century.
One thing I liked about Seven Years in Tibet is that no effort was made to cover up Harrer's Nazi background. In an alternate universe one can speculate on what might have happened to him had he actually had to serve in the army in World War II. His internment saved him from possibly being involved any number of atrocities. God, fate, some kind of higher power saved him for something wonderful.
The cinematography is breathtaking, this film had an incredible number of locations. Note that it was shot in British Columbia, in Argentina with the Andes serving as the Himalayas, Austria and even some establishing footage was shot in Tibet itself on the sly.
Tibet's status is unique unto the world. It has been part of China since the Ming dynasty. It's referred to properly as the autonomous region of Tibet. China has given it autonomy in varying degrees over the past several centuries, it's never been truly independent. The Communist regime back in the days of Mao Tse-tung brutally asserted it's sovereignty a few times, most notably in late fifties when the Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet and live in Northern India where he resides to this day. That is when he's not traveling the world as it's foremost advocate of non-violence.
It is sad that this film did not get more box office than it did. Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, director Jean Jacques Arnaud are all persona non grata in the People's Republic of China for making this film. Quite a market indeed to be shut out of for a stand for humanity.
It's to be hoped that one day the Tibetans will be free. Until then they have their unique brand of Buddhism to sustain them and this wonderful film to tell their story.
This is a movie, not a documentary
dierregi31 March 2020
A movie is by definition a fictional tale. It may be based - more or less loosely - on real events, but it is still a fiction.
This part seems to have escaped many "reviewers" as it always does when a movie is based on "real events". In real life there are long periods when nothing exciting or interesting happens, but a movie cannot follow a character 24/7 in his daily life, even if that life takes place in Tibet.
This story is very loosely based on the experience of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer, who embarked on a climbing expedition on the brink on WWII and ended up as POW in a British camp in India, for most of the war.
Having no reason to go back to Austria, he then ended up in Tibet where he met and became tutor to the 14th Dalai Lama. His adventure ended with the Chinese invasion of Tibet. That's it and it is already quite a lot.
The plot is a journey of discovery, not only geographical but also psychological. Thanks to his experience, Harrer turns from selfish, arrogant and uncaring into a gentler human being.
According to those who read Harrer account of his story, the film takes a lot of liberties, inventing episodes that - for me - are just supposed to make the story more cohesive. Also, I did not care much about Harrer involvement with the Nazi party, for which he apologised and that clearly was not the core of his existence.
Finally, for those who protest because the movie does not explore Tibetan culture, once more this is based on Harrer's tale, from is point of view. You want to know Tibetan history and Buddhist culture? There are thousand of non-fictional books and documentaries to fulfil this purpose.
This part seems to have escaped many "reviewers" as it always does when a movie is based on "real events". In real life there are long periods when nothing exciting or interesting happens, but a movie cannot follow a character 24/7 in his daily life, even if that life takes place in Tibet.
This story is very loosely based on the experience of Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer, who embarked on a climbing expedition on the brink on WWII and ended up as POW in a British camp in India, for most of the war.
Having no reason to go back to Austria, he then ended up in Tibet where he met and became tutor to the 14th Dalai Lama. His adventure ended with the Chinese invasion of Tibet. That's it and it is already quite a lot.
The plot is a journey of discovery, not only geographical but also psychological. Thanks to his experience, Harrer turns from selfish, arrogant and uncaring into a gentler human being.
According to those who read Harrer account of his story, the film takes a lot of liberties, inventing episodes that - for me - are just supposed to make the story more cohesive. Also, I did not care much about Harrer involvement with the Nazi party, for which he apologised and that clearly was not the core of his existence.
Finally, for those who protest because the movie does not explore Tibetan culture, once more this is based on Harrer's tale, from is point of view. You want to know Tibetan history and Buddhist culture? There are thousand of non-fictional books and documentaries to fulfil this purpose.
Very Uplifting
weasleybludger14 April 2005
I saw this film for the first time last night after hearing a great many people recommend it to me. I don't know why I waited so long! This is a soul stirring movie that is perfect in its simplicity. I don't think it's the best performance Brad Pitt has ever offered, but he was quite good. David Thewlis (an amazing actor who never receives as much praise he deserves) gave a perfect performance. But the real beauty of the film is the Tibetan people and their lifestyle. The cinematography was breathtaking and perfectly matched the mood of the film. I loved this movie so much that I'm going to buy it immediately. I love uplifting epic types of movies and this is truly one of the better ones I've seen in a while. In fact, it's one the better movies I've seen in a while.
Changing Your View Of Life
ralphgillis30 October 2021
30 October 2000
Seven Years In Tibet takes place during the 1940s, we follow the adventure of Heinrich Harrer and experience his gruelling journey across the icy mountains, his dangerous and treacherous expedition brings him to Tibet. He grows a special relationship with the Dalai Llama but the peace and tranquillity doesn't last forever because the Chinese go on a murderous rampage whilst seeking control of Tibet.
Brad Pitt plays the role of Heinrich Harrer, as soon as the film started you could notice he was finding it hard to latch on to the strong Austrian accent because it sounds as if he was over-doing himself and pronouncing every word with a stronger tone in the early scenes and then as every scene would go on he would start losing grasp of his dominant and loud-mouthed intonations. This flaw can be compared to his character in Guy Ritchie's SNATCH where he chose a role which required him to speak in a very demanding Irish accent. The character itself and its motivations were very inspiring, the physical and mental torture he gets put through changes his way of thinking and his perception of life. Overall, Brad Pitt delivers a good performance when it comes to the character's progression and evolution and his motives and struggles look believable but he had to work on the accent a bit more and give it a more balanced, genuine and realistic feel to it. Ralph Fiennes seemed to fit the role as well.
The movie in itself is beautiful, the multiple locations are beautiful to look at and Tibet's rich, colourful and radiant setting is flawlessly executed. The Dalai Llama is well played by young actor Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, his appearance and actions looked very believable. The cinematography is stunning, the landscapes are riveting. We get to view ice-covered mountains, the scorching desert and the combination of the two opposite weather conditions in Tibet. A multitude of different environments with diverse weather conditions. The editing is harsh and sudden, it takes the emotion of a certain scene and then quickly cuts away to something totally different. Anything special the viewer felt is suddenly interrupted because of a quick cut. A fade-out would would work a lot better and it would be able to maintain the emotion the viewer felt in the previous scenes.
Seven Years In Tibet is a very enjoyable movie with a few flaws that make it lose it's charm but it's nothing too problematic. It won't keep you away from having a good time. The adventure has many twists and turns, it'll keep you attentive. French Director, Jean-Jacques Annaud has made a film that is hard to dislike, it has heart, soul and a lot of energy.
Seven Years In Tibet takes place during the 1940s, we follow the adventure of Heinrich Harrer and experience his gruelling journey across the icy mountains, his dangerous and treacherous expedition brings him to Tibet. He grows a special relationship with the Dalai Llama but the peace and tranquillity doesn't last forever because the Chinese go on a murderous rampage whilst seeking control of Tibet.
Brad Pitt plays the role of Heinrich Harrer, as soon as the film started you could notice he was finding it hard to latch on to the strong Austrian accent because it sounds as if he was over-doing himself and pronouncing every word with a stronger tone in the early scenes and then as every scene would go on he would start losing grasp of his dominant and loud-mouthed intonations. This flaw can be compared to his character in Guy Ritchie's SNATCH where he chose a role which required him to speak in a very demanding Irish accent. The character itself and its motivations were very inspiring, the physical and mental torture he gets put through changes his way of thinking and his perception of life. Overall, Brad Pitt delivers a good performance when it comes to the character's progression and evolution and his motives and struggles look believable but he had to work on the accent a bit more and give it a more balanced, genuine and realistic feel to it. Ralph Fiennes seemed to fit the role as well.
The movie in itself is beautiful, the multiple locations are beautiful to look at and Tibet's rich, colourful and radiant setting is flawlessly executed. The Dalai Llama is well played by young actor Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, his appearance and actions looked very believable. The cinematography is stunning, the landscapes are riveting. We get to view ice-covered mountains, the scorching desert and the combination of the two opposite weather conditions in Tibet. A multitude of different environments with diverse weather conditions. The editing is harsh and sudden, it takes the emotion of a certain scene and then quickly cuts away to something totally different. Anything special the viewer felt is suddenly interrupted because of a quick cut. A fade-out would would work a lot better and it would be able to maintain the emotion the viewer felt in the previous scenes.
Seven Years In Tibet is a very enjoyable movie with a few flaws that make it lose it's charm but it's nothing too problematic. It won't keep you away from having a good time. The adventure has many twists and turns, it'll keep you attentive. French Director, Jean-Jacques Annaud has made a film that is hard to dislike, it has heart, soul and a lot of energy.
80% fiction...
mausklicker11 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
i read the book "7 years in Tibet" from Heinrich Harrer and was fascinated of it. then i immediately grabbed the DVD and started to watch the movie. i remember the first time i saw it back in 98, i kinda liked it. well, now i watched it again in full knowledge of the book it is based on. and soon i realized how WRONG it all was told:
when they enter Lhasa the people start to stick their tongues out of their mouths and Thewlis and Pitt have the impression that its the way to say hello in Tibet, so they greet back... in the book Harrer explains, that sticking the tongue out is a sign of absolute humbleness and loyalty in Tibet and they may do it in front of the Dalai Lama but certainly not for these two europeans! not only the mother but even the Dalai Lama himself was wearing glasses in the public. in the book Harrer mentions, that no one in Tibet wore glasses to that time(sorry forgot the reason, but its explained in the book too).the young Dalai Lama did, but only when he was alone and nobody could see him! and what about that Mao tse tung lookalike, destroying the mandala in front of the young "living buddha"?? childish... and the tailor made Harrer and Aufschnaiter tibetan clothes not European designer suits! why are so many events that really happened eliminated from the story, just to fill the time with a fictional love interest (the female tailor...)that is completely unimportant? just like the whole story about harrers son, rolf. not one word is mentioned about him or even any family member of harrer in the book. but that was OK for me because "7 years in Tibet" is not a book about harrers person. its about tibet. I'm very disappointed by this "adaption" of the famous book. and i bet heinrich harrer was, too... 3 stars, just for the cinematography.
when they enter Lhasa the people start to stick their tongues out of their mouths and Thewlis and Pitt have the impression that its the way to say hello in Tibet, so they greet back... in the book Harrer explains, that sticking the tongue out is a sign of absolute humbleness and loyalty in Tibet and they may do it in front of the Dalai Lama but certainly not for these two europeans! not only the mother but even the Dalai Lama himself was wearing glasses in the public. in the book Harrer mentions, that no one in Tibet wore glasses to that time(sorry forgot the reason, but its explained in the book too).the young Dalai Lama did, but only when he was alone and nobody could see him! and what about that Mao tse tung lookalike, destroying the mandala in front of the young "living buddha"?? childish... and the tailor made Harrer and Aufschnaiter tibetan clothes not European designer suits! why are so many events that really happened eliminated from the story, just to fill the time with a fictional love interest (the female tailor...)that is completely unimportant? just like the whole story about harrers son, rolf. not one word is mentioned about him or even any family member of harrer in the book. but that was OK for me because "7 years in Tibet" is not a book about harrers person. its about tibet. I'm very disappointed by this "adaption" of the famous book. and i bet heinrich harrer was, too... 3 stars, just for the cinematography.
seductive
Kirpianuscus5 July 2016
not only for the story itself. or for impressive location. but for the values who defines a meeting and a friendship. that defines this beautiful film who, in each scene, preserves the mark of its great director. Brad Pitt does a more than good job and the rhythm of story is perfect to discover a metamorphose of a man looking himself. its great virtue - realistic - touching portrait of Tibet. not a manifesto, not a pledge. but a convincing puzzle about the identity, history, believes and manner to define reality of a land and its people. story to reflect, it is a seductive trip in a mysterious region.and the dose of poetry, characteristic of the films by Annaud, represents the perfect spice for become a memorable experience.
A good one -- worth another look
jflxster12 August 2007
I missed this film the fist time around and saw it for the first time last night on DVD. I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to me that some extraordinary effort went into creating an accurate portrayal of the forbidden city of Lhasa, and the lives and culture of the Tibetans who are at the core of the movie.
On the acting side, Brad Pitt was not quite totally believable as a German but, accent-quibbles aside, he did inhabit the character in a way that was compelling and interesting. I thought the supporting cast of Mako and (mostly) Tibetan unknowns was good and the use of these unknowns added credibility to the movie.
The scenery was as beautiful as you would expect it to be -- breathtaking shots of the Himalayas dominating throughout much of the movie.
On the acting side, Brad Pitt was not quite totally believable as a German but, accent-quibbles aside, he did inhabit the character in a way that was compelling and interesting. I thought the supporting cast of Mako and (mostly) Tibetan unknowns was good and the use of these unknowns added credibility to the movie.
The scenery was as beautiful as you would expect it to be -- breathtaking shots of the Himalayas dominating throughout much of the movie.
Good film, less filmy
asimabdullah-2245330 May 2020
I am a fond of biography and movies based on historic events. I intended to watch the movie in order to know the history and the relation between Dalai Lama and Austrian Man. This movie is a bit slow with less filmy situations but clearly could bring up the vibe and essence of how strong bond Dalai Lama and the Austrian Mountaineer had. It also gives us the idea of his nature pretty much.
Long journey
kosmasp5 April 2021
I had no idea there was at least one other movie about this (from 1959) - I usually try to watch the original movies of something before I watch a Remake or reimagination. Having said that, since this is a real life story ... maybe it is ok to just go for this one. With an exceptional Brad Pitt, who does not get enough credit for his acting abilities ... which might coincide with him being an treat when it comes to his looks.
Usually woman are reduced to the way they look, but I think we can agree that Brad Pitt and his status as sex symbol are also well documented. But this was more to show off his acting abilities. And how he could transform himself - by learning an accent. I mean he is blond and all, so why not be an Austrian, right? But he is just a spectator - even if he has trouble leaving his wife behind - promising her a swift return .. well I don't have to tell you how that works out.
The movie shows real people, but amidst all the drama, there is quite a lot of action too. I did not expect this from this movie. But it was quite welcome ... even if it was horrible acts in reality of course. So not condoning any of that. But saying that it brings some well needed context and heightens the drama even more in this. You may feel inclined to check all the things that really happened after watching the movie, which of course is a good thing.
Usually woman are reduced to the way they look, but I think we can agree that Brad Pitt and his status as sex symbol are also well documented. But this was more to show off his acting abilities. And how he could transform himself - by learning an accent. I mean he is blond and all, so why not be an Austrian, right? But he is just a spectator - even if he has trouble leaving his wife behind - promising her a swift return .. well I don't have to tell you how that works out.
The movie shows real people, but amidst all the drama, there is quite a lot of action too. I did not expect this from this movie. But it was quite welcome ... even if it was horrible acts in reality of course. So not condoning any of that. But saying that it brings some well needed context and heightens the drama even more in this. You may feel inclined to check all the things that really happened after watching the movie, which of course is a good thing.
But What about the Nazi SS?
robert-temple-118 August 2009
This is a visually and emotionally impressive film, with a fine lead performance by the versatile Brad Pitt and an amazing performance by the young Tibetan Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, who plays the Dalai Lama aged 14 (and whose younger brother apparently played the Dalai Lama aged 8). The film is very beautiful to look at, and the Buddhist atmosphere is convincing, with a great deal of attention to ritual detail from a Tibetan production adviser. But the film raises many disturbing questions and doubts. I have not read the book, but the consensus of opinion from several reviewers seems to be that this film is highly inaccurate and that many incidents are entirely made up by the screenwriters. However, I am more troubled by the Nazi issue. Heinrich Harrer was a member of the SS, and although he is admitted in some sources to have been a sergeant, he may well really have been a commissioned officer. In the film it is admitted that Harrer was a committed Nazi when he was in Austria, which is very honest, but nothing is mentioned about the SS or that he would therefore have been under SS military orders when he went to Tibet (indeed, he could not have gone in any other capacity, since he was in the SS and had met Hitler). Harrer's internment by the British in India during the War was thus not of an ordinary harmless Austrian mountain climber but of a soldier of the SS, which was a very serious matter in wartime, and the film glosses over this entirely. Instead, Harrer is made to appear an unjustly imprisoned man, which is very far from the truth. Few viewers of this film can possibly be expected to know of the Nazi obsession with Tibet or the reasons for it. Nor is the depiction of Tibetan Buddhism as a wholly good institution accurate. The true facts are very different. There were thousands of monasteries in Tibet and some contained 'good guys' and some contained 'bad guys', to put it in its simplest terms. There were sects of Tibetan monks, doubtless a small minority, who were 'on the left hand path' and involved in black magic. They were sometimes called 'the Yellow Hats' by the Nazis. People like the Dalai Lama, who hate things like black magic and believe in love and gentleness, were strongly opposed to them. In other words, Tibetan Buddhism was anything but uniform, it was diverse. Hundreds of 'Yellow Hat' lamas went to Germany during the 1930s and 1940s, and three hundred of them committed ritual suicide in Berlin just as the Russians were invading the City at the end of the War, and their bodies were found all lying in rows not far from Hitler's bunker. These 'evil lamas' were in league with Hitler, and were controlled through the SS, of which Harrer was a member. It was their 'job' to use their spiritual black magic powers to help the Nazis win the War, and Hitler became annoyed with them at the end because he believed they had failed him and that their mystical powers had been ineffective. The Nazis believed all kinds of crazy things, and the SS was the occult core of the Nazi movement, with its head, Heinrich Himmler, being totally obsessed by such matters, including his Tibetan lamas. Among the bizarre beliefs of the Nazis was that there were 'secret chiefs', hidden spirits of gigantic, super-human size, in command of the dark forces, who resided in deep caves beneath the Himalayas. The Nazis sent various expeditions to Tibet in the 1930s, and some of them were received in Lhasa, or at other places which were friendlier than Lhasa. So it seems that Harrer was somewhat less than candid in what he revealed about this, and that the film in turn is even more obfuscating on the issue. Probably it is true that Harrer really did reject his Nazi past after his years in Tibet, but although admitting to a Nazi past to a certain extent, there was no advantage to him, and indeed there was considerable personal danger, in giving any fuller details. After all, his former colleagues would certainly have taken reprisals against him if he had told the true full story about SS penetration of Tibet. It was acknowledged at the top of the Nazi leadership by such occult fanatics as Himmler and Hess that Hitler was being inspired, perhaps even manipulated, by the primaeval 'dark powers' who resided beneath the mountains of Tibet and who would grant the Nazis dominion over the whole earth if they received enough blood sacrifices. The real reason why millions of people were killed in the gas chambers, by no means all of whom were Jews, was not a simplistic anti-Semitism at all (though that was put about for mass consumption, and the anti-Semitism was real enough), but was as a black magic 'blood sacrifice' to the 'dark powers' in Tibet. Hitler and Himmler believed that if they fed the evil spirits inhabiting the caverns beneath Tibet with the souls of millions of humans, the evil spirits would then grant them rule over the earth as their representatives, and at the same time they would be 'making a New Man' of pure Aryan blood. The SS leadership celebrated black masses and many strange sexual rituals and performed human sacrifices. Himmler was the Grand Master and he and his twelve chief subordinate initiates actually worshiped Satan at Schloss Wewelsburg. Concealing the truth about Harrer's original SS membership does no one any good. Indeed, the contrast between Harrer's true SS past, as opposed to the sanitized version of it which says he was merely a Nazi sympathizer, and his later attitudes does him far more credit than he has ever received. Maybe we should look at it that way, and not be too starry-eyed about Germans in Tibet in the 1930s.
Passable - Good Scenery
gbheron31 January 2000
This biographical movie is about real-life Austrian (and Nazi) mountaineer Heinrich Harrar (Pitt) who is unfortunately scaling peaks in British India when WWII breaks out in 1939. Interred in a British POW camp he and his climbing companion (Thewlis) eventually escape and commence a tortuous travail through India into Tibet and all the way to the forbidden city of Lhasa. There the two men make friends, including the young Dali Lama, and find enlightenment.
The best thing about Seven Years in Tibet is the breathtaking high mountain scenery. How disappointing to learn the movie was shot in the Andes and not the Himalayas. The story is also compelling following Harrar as he morphs from selfish pig to generally nice guy. Unfortunately it's sometimes awkwardly told, and is over-long. And finally the use of English language dialogue as variously English, German, and Tibetan was as off-putting as Pitt's on-again, off-again German accent.
All in all a very ok film, not rip-off from the dollar bin.
The best thing about Seven Years in Tibet is the breathtaking high mountain scenery. How disappointing to learn the movie was shot in the Andes and not the Himalayas. The story is also compelling following Harrar as he morphs from selfish pig to generally nice guy. Unfortunately it's sometimes awkwardly told, and is over-long. And finally the use of English language dialogue as variously English, German, and Tibetan was as off-putting as Pitt's on-again, off-again German accent.
All in all a very ok film, not rip-off from the dollar bin.
Excellent
Pookyiscute13 April 2006
This masterpiece, still makes me curious every time I see it. Brad Pitt does an amazing job portraying an Austrian, even down to his accent. The cinematography is extraordinary, and the direction is quite good. I love watching it every so often, and learning new things that I missed the times before.
The film has a great amount of interesting facts, and takes place in the 1930's through '50's. There are times when it is; magical, spiritual, enlightening, sweet, sad and poignant.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting and true stories. If nothing else watch Pitt with his masterful portrayal of this real life character, who faces hardships, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
The film has a great amount of interesting facts, and takes place in the 1930's through '50's. There are times when it is; magical, spiritual, enlightening, sweet, sad and poignant.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting and true stories. If nothing else watch Pitt with his masterful portrayal of this real life character, who faces hardships, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Sweeping and big-budgeted epic based on real memories of the mountaineer Heinrich Harrer
ma-cortes8 December 2020
Interesting and colorful film about an ace , cold-hearted climber called Heinrich Harrer : Brad Pitt, after the death some mountaineers decides to add patriotism and glory to his Austrian country by climbing Narga Parbat peak . As Harrer goes to British india and after Tíbet, leaving his pregnant wife in Austria . But in India Harrer is taken prisoner and he becomes a WWII POW at a British internment camp . When Harrer and his colleague Peter : David Thewlis, get away , they travel across India to Tíbet where Harrer bonds with and becomes a preceptor to young Dalai Lama in Lasha at time of China's takeover of the Buddist country . At the end of the World his real journey began.
This is a pretty good movie developed with great intelligence , high sensitivity and spectacular vistas , though hampered by being extremely overlong and unfocused as well as sluggish narrative , which attempts to cover too many subplots . Based on a self-biographic book by Heinrich Harrer himself and enjoyable screenplay by Becky Johnson. However , the script hides the Nazi past of Harrer and his ties with the party . Brad Pitt as the mountaineer who attempts to take a crack at the peak of Nanga Parbat gives an attractive acting , though forceful , at times . And other actors provide capable interpretations, such as : David Thewlis as his escaped pal and a lot of Oriental players as Victor Wong as Chinese Amban , Mako as a Tíbet minister , B.D. Wong as an adviser , Jamyang as 14-year-old Dalai Lama and several others .
It contains a brilliant and sunny cinematography with plenty of snow-capped mountain scenary and breathtaking sightseeing. Being wonderfully photographed by cameraman Robert Fraisse , though due to Chinese problems and India's refusal to allow shooting , filmmaker Annaud wound up substituting the Himalayas for the Argentine Andes . While the incombustible musician John Williams , Steven Spielberg's regular, composes another great magnificent score in his usual evocative style . The picture was compellingly produced and directed by Jean Jacques Annaud . This is a good French filmmaker who has got a lot of hits and a few flops . As he directed "Quest of fire ," Hothead" , "Victory in Chantant" , "The Bear" , "The Lover" , "The Name of the Rose" ," Enemy at the Gates" , "Two Brothers" , among others. Rating 7/10 . Better than average . The flick will appeal to Brad Pitt fans . Well worth watching .
This is a pretty good movie developed with great intelligence , high sensitivity and spectacular vistas , though hampered by being extremely overlong and unfocused as well as sluggish narrative , which attempts to cover too many subplots . Based on a self-biographic book by Heinrich Harrer himself and enjoyable screenplay by Becky Johnson. However , the script hides the Nazi past of Harrer and his ties with the party . Brad Pitt as the mountaineer who attempts to take a crack at the peak of Nanga Parbat gives an attractive acting , though forceful , at times . And other actors provide capable interpretations, such as : David Thewlis as his escaped pal and a lot of Oriental players as Victor Wong as Chinese Amban , Mako as a Tíbet minister , B.D. Wong as an adviser , Jamyang as 14-year-old Dalai Lama and several others .
It contains a brilliant and sunny cinematography with plenty of snow-capped mountain scenary and breathtaking sightseeing. Being wonderfully photographed by cameraman Robert Fraisse , though due to Chinese problems and India's refusal to allow shooting , filmmaker Annaud wound up substituting the Himalayas for the Argentine Andes . While the incombustible musician John Williams , Steven Spielberg's regular, composes another great magnificent score in his usual evocative style . The picture was compellingly produced and directed by Jean Jacques Annaud . This is a good French filmmaker who has got a lot of hits and a few flops . As he directed "Quest of fire ," Hothead" , "Victory in Chantant" , "The Bear" , "The Lover" , "The Name of the Rose" ," Enemy at the Gates" , "Two Brothers" , among others. Rating 7/10 . Better than average . The flick will appeal to Brad Pitt fans . Well worth watching .
Reaching the Summit of Human Conscience and Consciousness
njsolicitor22 January 2005
This is a panoramic film exploring the wilderness of Tibet through the consciousness of an arrogant Austrian climber (Brat Pitt). As Pitt challenges Nanga Parbet, the ninth highest mountain in the world and one of the hardest to climb, the political chaos of late 1930's and 1940's, and his own demons, the nature of mankind is revealed as layers of civilization are peeled to reveal an inner self paradoxically more powerful and yet more vulnerable to the ebb and flow of inhumanity. His own philosophical journey is a reflection of political machinations of the time, the ontogeny recapitulating phylogenetic change of western civilization resulting in a complex modern world forever coiled for violence and warfare.
This film has a European pace unsuitable for those addicted to action figure movies with huge budgets and high body counts. I recommend it as a "good view" similar to a good read.
This film has a European pace unsuitable for those addicted to action figure movies with huge budgets and high body counts. I recommend it as a "good view" similar to a good read.
Unique
noahharrigan6 August 2022
The movie overall was pretty decent I thought. The movie has really nice visuals - and the story is unique. I think I could have given this movie a 7.0/10.0 if someone else was playing as Heinrich. Brad Pitt doesn't do a bad job but this is a very different role for him. His accent does slip at times (no big deal), but I just didn't think Brad Pitt was a very good fit for this one.
Disappointing
ahsend26 February 2021
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