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Seven Years in Tibet

  • 19971997
  • PGPG
  • 2h 16m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
141K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,079
907
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Brad Pitt and Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:54
2 Videos
99+ Photos
AdventureBiographyDrama

True story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China's takeover of Tibet.True story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China's takeover of Tibet.True story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber who became friends with the Dalai Lama at the time of China's takeover of Tibet.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
141K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,079
907
  • Director
    • Jean-Jacques Annaud
  • Writers
    • Heinrich Harrer(book)
    • Becky Johnston(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Brad Pitt
    • David Thewlis
    • BD Wong
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jean-Jacques Annaud
  • Writers
    • Heinrich Harrer(book)
    • Becky Johnston(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Brad Pitt
    • David Thewlis
    • BD Wong
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 177User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos2

    Seven Years in Tibet
    Trailer 1:54
    Seven Years in Tibet
    Seven Years in Tibet
    Trailer 2:33
    Seven Years in Tibet

    Photos121

    Brad Pitt and Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Brad Pitt and Ingeborga Dapkunaite in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Brad Pitt and Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Sonam Wangchuk in Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Brad Pitt at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Kathy Bates at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Mariah Carey at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Mariah Carey at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Minnie Driver at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Larry King and Shawn Ora Engemann at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
    Jared Leto at an event for Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brad Pitt
    Brad Pitt
    • Heinrich Harreras Heinrich Harrer
    David Thewlis
    David Thewlis
    • Peter Aufschnaiteras Peter Aufschnaiter
    BD Wong
    BD Wong
    • Ngawang Jigmeas Ngawang Jigme
    Mako
    Mako
    • Kungo Tsarongas Kungo Tsarong
    Danny Denzongpa
    Danny Denzongpa
    • Regentas Regent
    Victor Wong
    Victor Wong
    • Chinese 'Amban'as Chinese 'Amban'
    Ingeborga Dapkunaite
    Ingeborga Dapkunaite
    • Ingrid Harreras Ingrid Harrer
    Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
    Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
    • Dalai Lama, 14 Years Oldas Dalai Lama, 14 Years Old
    Lhakpa Tsamchoe
    Lhakpa Tsamchoe
    • Pema Lhakias Pema Lhaki
    Jetsun Pema
    Jetsun Pema
    • Great Motheras Great Mother
    Ama Ashe Dongtse
    Ama Ashe Dongtse
    • Tashias Tashi
    Sonam Wangchuk
    Sonam Wangchuk
    • Dalai Lama, 8 Years Oldas Dalai Lama, 8 Years Old
    Dorjee Tsering
    • Dalai Lama, 4 Years Oldas Dalai Lama, 4 Years Old
    Ric Young
    Ric Young
    • General Chang Jing Wuas General Chang Jing Wu
    Ngawang Chojor
    • Lord Chamberlainas Lord Chamberlain
    • (as Ven. Ngawang Chojor)
    Duncan Fraser
    Duncan Fraser
    • British Officeras British Officer
    Benedick Blythe
    Benedick Blythe
    • Nazi Officialas Nazi Official
    Tom Raudaschl
    • Lutz Chickenas Lutz Chicken
    • Director
      • Jean-Jacques Annaud
    • Writers
      • Heinrich Harrer(book)
      • Becky Johnston(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    After the death of 11 climbers, Austrian Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) decides to add glory to his country and to the Austrian pride by climbing Nanga Parbat in British India, and leaves his expectant wife behind. An egoist and a loner, he does not get along with others on his team - but must bend to their wishes after bad weather threatens them. Then WWII breaks out, they are arrested and lodged in Dehra Dun's P.O.W. Camp. He attempts to break out several times in vain, but finally does succeed along with Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), and they end up in the holy city of Lhasa - a place banned to foreigners. They are provided food and shelter, and Peter ends up marrying a tailor, Pema Lhaki, while Heinrich befriends the Dalai Lama. They meet regularly; while he satiates the child's curiosity about the world, including Jack the Ripper and 'yellow hair'; he is exposed to the teachings of Lord Buddha, He even constructs a movie theater, while getting news of the end of the war, his divorce, and his son's refusal to communicate. But nothing will prepare him for the devastation about to descend when Communist China decides to attack, leading to the deaths of over 1 million Tibetans, the destruction of over 6000 monasteries, and betrayal from their very own people. —rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)
    tibetdalai lamabased on real person20th century1940s66 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • At the end of the world his real journey began.
    • Genres
      • Adventure
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jetsun Pema is the real-life sister of The Dalai Lama. In this film she plays the mother of The Dalai Lama and hence her own mother.
    • Goofs
      When Peter bargains with his watch about how much food they should get he shows the 3 with three fingers (the British way) and not two fingers and the thumb (the German/Austrian way).
    • Quotes

      Dalai Lama: We have a saying in Tibet: If a problem can be solved there is no use worrying about it. If it can't be solved, worrying will do no good.

    • Crazy credits
      As the end credits roll, a view of the mountains of Tibet is seen.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Seven Years in Tibet/RocketMan/Boogie Nights/Gang Related/Washington Square (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Clair de Lune
      Written by Claude Debussy

    User reviews177

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Long journey
    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.
    helpful•4
    0
    • kosmasp
    • Apr 5, 2021

    FAQ7

    • Is 'Seven Years in Tibet' based on a book?
    • Where/what is Nanga Parbat?
    • When were Heinrich Harrer and the Dalai Lama born and when did they meet for the first time?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 21, 1997 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Mandarin
      • Tibetan
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • Siete años en el Tibet
    • Filming locations
      • La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Production companies
      • Mandalay Entertainment
      • Reperage & Vanguard Films
      • Applecross
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $70,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $37,957,682
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,020,378
      • Oct 12, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $131,457,682
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 16 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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