Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

If it hadn't been for Brad Pitt signing on to play the lead role of obsessive Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer, there's a good chance this lavish $70 million film would not have been made. It was one of two films from 1997 (the other being Martin Scorsese's exquisite Kundun) to view the turmoil between China and Tibet through the eyes of the young Dalai Lama. But with Pitt onboard, this adaptation of Harrer's acclaimed book focuses more on Harrer, a Nazi party member whose life was changed by his experiences in Tibet with the Dalai Lama. Having survived a treacherous climb on the challenging peak of Nanga Parbat and a stint in a British POW camp, Harrer and climbing guide Peter Aufschnaiter (nicely played by David Thewlis) arrive at the Tibetan city of Lhasa, where the 14-year-old Dalai Lama lives as ruler of Tibet. Their stay is longer than either could have expected (the "seven years" of the title), and their lives are forever transformed by their proximity to the Tibetan leader and the peaceful ways of the Buddhist people. China looms over the land as a constant invasive threat, but Seven Years in Tibet is more concerned with viewing Tibetan history through the eyes of a visitor. The film is filled with stunning images and delightful moments of discovery and soothing, lighthearted spirituality, and although he is somewhat miscast, Pitt brings the requisite integrity to his central role. What's missing here is a greater understanding of the young Dalai Lama and the culture of Tibet. Whereas Kundun tells its story purely from the Dalai Lama's point of view, Seven Years in Tibet is essentially an outsider's tale. The result is the feeling that only part of the story's been told here--or maybe just the wrong story. But Harrer's memoir is moving and heartfelt, and director Jean-Jacques Annaud has effectively captured both sincerity and splendor in this flawed but worthwhile film. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

A tad on the bland side

I remember watching this only once, but from what I recall, it was certainly not one of Brad's best. There were moments that held my interest, but I found Brad's accent somewhat distracting at times and the movie felt like it dragged and dragged. The movie is a tad on the long side and I think if it was shorter, it would not have been so mundane. Not much happens in the film regarding action, but the softer, quieter tones of the film were just not enough to lift it from it's blandness. More like 2.5 stars. June 25, 2008

Different feeling, same good picture

buy this to feel the himalayas, feel the tibet. I dont completely agree how they depict the politics but if just see it as a story regarding someone who tries to escape from the guilt, try to avoid, try to restart,,,,,but ultimately,,,letting go and face it.......
good journey of heart....
beautiful scene---beautiful color, make it so vivid....compare to the age when i was watching this on VHS May 19, 2008

The Ruinaton a Great Story

Read the book. The movie fictionalized and altered a wonderful (and true) story that deserved a better movie representation. This movie could have been so much better if it followed the book more closely (or at all). It's a real shame.

Seven Years in Tibet May 7, 2008

GREAT movie, but lacking extras on the Blue-Ray version

This has always been one of my favorite movies. A true story retold with outstanding visuals and drama. Having this on Blue-Ray allowed me to re-experience the movie in incredible detail, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I dropped one-star however, because while the movie itself is fabulous, the Blue-Ray disc doesn't include ANY extras other than the movie itself. This may be due to the length of the movie, but I have become accustomed to the various extras included with DVD's, and I usually enjoy being able to go beyond the movie into the details of the story, script, director's comments, outtakes, and deleted scenes... NONE of which are included on the Blue-Ray disc. I would strongly suggest to the studios, that if they can't put those extras on a single Blue-Ray disc, that they at least include a standard DVD(cheap) with the BR disc that includes all the extras we have come to expect of movies in this class.

Overall, a GREAT movie, and very happy with my purchase. April 24, 2008

Great adventure movie

I saw this movie after I watched Kundun. I would like to tell this movie is more of adventure rather than 'story of Tibet or Story of Dalai Lama'. Dalai lama probably is seen for 30 minutes on the screen and comes after half of the movie is over.
This story of Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (Played by Brad Pitt) who starts out to be cold and stubborn person and turns into humble and spritual person after his association with Dalai Lama. The first half of the movie is about adventures, trails of climbing the roof of the world. It also shows their capture (brad and his friend) as POV in India mountain and their manipulations to enter into Tibet.
The encounter with him and dalai lama is mark of true friendship. Harrer finds solace with Dalai Lamas teaching of compassion, friendship, outlook in life. Harrer teaches Dalai lama about how modern world works from western perspective. The film shows betrayal of Tibet by their own men and also brutal atrocities of Chineese.
The scenery is amazing. Tibetan's artistry,hospitality and customs are shown very beautifully.The spiritual journey of stubborn man is beautiful.
However the movie suffers from few flaws. We wish the there is more interaction between Harrer and Dalai lama. The adventure is great but what is being discovered is not shown in great details. Although it is not Dalai Lama's movie but Harrers movie, we still feel this void. Neverthless, the movie is worth watching for its breath taking scenery. November 22, 2007

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