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Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Front Cover Actor Back Cover
Brad Pitt Heinrich Harrer
David Thewlis Peter Aufschnaiter
B.D. Wong Ngawang Jigme
Danny Denzongpa Regent
Ingeborga Dapkunaite Ingrid Harrer
Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk Dalai Lama (14)
Lhakpa Tsamchoe Pema Lhaki
Ama Ashe Dongtse Tashi
Ric Young General Chang Jing Wu
Mako Kungo Tsarong
Victor Wong Chinese 'Amban'
Jetsun Pema Great Mother
Movie Details
Genre Adventure; Biography
Director Jean-Jacques Annaud
Producer Jean-Jacques Annaud; Catherine Moulin; Michael Besman
Writer Heinrich Harrer; Becky Johnston
Photography Robert Fraisse
Musician John Williams; Claude Debussy
Studio Columbia TriStar
Language English
Audience Rating PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Running Time 131 mins
Country USA
Color Color
IMDb Rating 6.6
Plot
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
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Index 465
Collection Status In Collection
Links Amazon US
Seven Years In Tibet at Movie Collector Connect
IMDB
Amazon US
Product Details
Format DVD
Region Region 1
Screen Ratio 2.35:1
Layers Dual Side, Dual Layer
UPC (Barcode) 043396218192
Release Date 4/7/1998
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Packaging Keep Case
Audio Tracks English Dolby Digital 2.0
French Dolby Digital 1.0
Nr of Disks/Tapes 1
Extra Features
Behind the scenes Bioscoop Trailer Featurette Production Notes Scene Selection PAL Widescreen