Customer Reviews

Seven Years in Tibet (Full Screen)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Seven Years in Tibet is the story of Heinrich Harrer, a german mountain climber, peripheral nazi party member, political prisoner, and egoist. He is off to defeat Nanga Parbet (probably messed up the spelling), a mountain in the Himalayas. Events occur, blah, and he is taken as a POW by some british troops at base camp. Apparently when he was on the mountain, germany declared war on england. He does manage to escape, with the help of a few other of the climbers, to Tibet, finally getting there with only one other, played by David Thewlis, an excellent actor. The two of them spend the titular seven years in Lhasa, the storied capital of Tibet, ancient as the hills, and forbidden to foreigners.

Here is where the detailed shadings of Pitt's character are revealed, both through his amazing ability to both comprehend and display the nuances of his character and every half-smile and subtle gesture that bring his character to life. Through his interactions with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, we see Harrer change, slowly, from egotistical and uninterested to close confidant and caring teacher/father/friend. I'm not a Brad Pitt fan, but have you to give credit where credit is due.

The story is based on the true experiences of Heinrich Harrer and the Dalai Lama (who is an amazing speaker, if ever he wanders your way, definately check it out, he has this way of simplifying any problem to a matter of love and understanding no christian ever could). The story is poignant, as we see the impending war with China, the pathetic and futile attempts of the TIbetans to raise a military, and the inevitable conquest. They're still under communist rule, and sometimes you'll see hippies or Rage Against the Machine (RIP) fans with "Free Tibet" bumper stickers on their cars, and this is what they're referring to. Anyway, the story itself is touching and well-scripted. There are a few quibble-able points, though. First, you are told in no uncertain terms how to feel about almost every character and situation. That's pretty much true. Oh, well. Next point. Some would say it's too "hollywood". I would disagree, however, because the only signs of a hollywood influence are the budget and the talent. Both lended themselves perfectly to their parts (Worth mentioning: the scenery, something only attainable with that crazy hollywood budget, is breathtaking. Money well-spent. Absolutely gorgeous, each location in perfect tune with both the story and the seasons).

That's pretty much it. Great story held up by great acting (check out that kid who played the Dalai Lama; he blew me away!) and made to feel lush and alive with astonishing locations. Worth renting if you're not sure you'll dig it, worth buying if you know you do.

This review is dedicated to the people of Tibet , and the dream that one day Tibet may be free of the detestable Red Chinese occupation.
It is a brilliant movie , which shows the beautiful and peaceful Tibetan culture ,and then focuses on how it is cruelly destroyed by Mao's unspeakable regime.
It also focuses on the life of Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) focusing on how an arrogant and self-indulgent man learns humility and decency from Tibet , and from the boy Dalai Lama who was to become one of the greatest men of our time.
It begins in Nazi occupied Austria in 1939 . Harrer leaves to climb mountains ends up in Lhasa ,Tibet. Here we view a land of peace and spiritual enlightenment , such a contrast from a Europe which at the time was going through World War II and the Holocaust. After the end of World War II and the Third Reich , we see another monstrous tyranny ,Communist China emerge .Red China visits unspeakable horrors on peaceful Tibet , and they treat the pleas of the Dalai Lama for peace , with more and more terror.
It is interesting to see towards the end of the movie how the Red Chinese flag and portraits of Mao defacing Tibet in 1951 mirror those of the Swastika , and portraits of Hitler , at the beginning of the movie , defacing Europe in 1939.
Unfortunately Tibet is now largely forgotten by the world , and one wonders when the world will speak up against this diabolical occupation.

This is a story about a stubborn and arrogant man who needs to push his body to its absolute limits, but who dedicates very little of his energy to his soul or intellect. Let us remember that films owe no debt to the books or the reality on which they are based (read the book "Monster" by the late screenwriter and author John Gregory Dunne if you need to get that straight).

Brad Pitt is not too bad as Heinrich Harrer, but you may cringe occasionally at his Austrian accent. Let us remember that this film may not have been made at all without his interest and participation, and it wouldn't have been permitted the sort of budget that gave us the amazing landscapes which pervade the movie.

I suppose once they had their big star, casting went for the very finest actors they could find regardless of their status: therefore, we have two beautifully resonant performances by David Thewlis as Pitt's climbing companion and Lhapka Tsamchoe as the Love Interest.

Because this movie is about Heinrich Harrer, not the Dalai Lama, we ought not to whine about the time spent in the camp for enemy aliens (those were YEARS of his life) or the difficult scrabble to simply exist once he escaped. The shots of the Dalai Lama's early childhood are there not only to foreshadow the important role the Dalai Lama ultimately plays, but also to establish a link between the child who will befriend Harrer and the son who Harrer does not know.

The authenticity and detail of Tibetan life, dress, buildings, and so forth is rare and overwhelming. Even if it was staged, it is a good record of a lost time.

With respect to the Chinese invasion as it is filmed, let us recall what "virtues" were instilled in the Army of the People's Republic of China. If the soldiers behaved like "automatons" or "killing machines", that was precisely the point. Leaders rarely want their underlings to think for themselves, and in Communist China such an activity was a capital offense. I see no disregard of history.

Further praise to the screenwriter (Becky Johnston) who translated a good book into a good movie. The addition of a few good laugh lines and the general development of character was well done.

Heinrich Harrer is an interesting man and merits a movie about his life. Of course, the elements of living in Tibet and developing a friendship with the Dalai Lama are crucial to the interest. For my part, I've watched the movie several times not just for its other virtues, but because I get deliciously lost in the scenery.

Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pit) has a son before he is ready. Rather than cope with the situation he runs off to India to do a little mountain climbing because "When you're climbing your mind is clear and free from all confusions. You have focus. And suddenly the light becomes sharper, the sounds are richer and you're filled with the deep, powerful presence of life." War breaks out between Briton and Germany so now Henry becomes a prisoner there he gets divorced. He escapes and through trials and tribulations ends up in Tibet there his son writes to tells Henry not to bother.

The story is not of a physical journey. But as greater epics it is a journey of the soul. Henry must learn to deal with people including his friend Peter (David Thewlis.) With time to reflect and even a job with the Dalai Lama, he comes to understand himself, the world of people, and with any luck what it means to be a father.

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Everything about this movie cries out for (Superbit Collection). With filming locations in British Columbia, Argentina, Austria, Chile, and Tibet, we have some spectacular panoramas.

There is lots of great music including some original by John Williams.

I haven't read the book of the same title by Mr. Harrer, but have seen the film twice, once in English and later dubbed in German. I liked it very much, and so did my sons. Watching it the second time on Austrian TV had the advantage afterward of seeing an interview with Mr. Harrer by a female journalist who questioned him pretty hard about the facts.

The film is taken from Mr. Harrer's popular 1952 book of the same title, describing his personal experience in India and Tibet. In the interview he stated that, for an American film, he likes it, likes the way it portrays Tibet, and has seen the film about a dozen times. His friendship with the 'Dalai Lama' (a western title unknown in Tibet) still stands, that they speak largely Tibetan with each other whenever they meet (the Dalai Lama likes Austrian food, and Mr. Harrer said that the Tibetan kitchen is also very good). In response to the questioner's attempt to find weaknesses in the film, Mr. Harrer said mainly that the film does not really give the sense of the hardship and adventure of surviving in the mountains all the way to Llasa (I believe it!), that their experience was far more 'abenteurlich' than is portrayed. So, according to the interview, the film is largely faithful to the facts, grossly seen, including the end scene of Harrer with his son planting a Tibetan flag on an Austrian peak.

Finally, the interviewer asked Mr. Harrer about the '97 Stern magazine article uncovering his Nazi past. This is where my problems begin in reviewing this film. The film is not about Brad Pitt, who is completely irelevant, the film is about Heinrich Harrer. I have a severe problem with films and novels that are not true to history. As one of the earlier Popes said, one should tell the truth even if it causes a scandal.

Mr. Harrer spoke in the TV interview of having 'mitgemacht' (participated) with the Nazis, and that he very much regrets it. An open admission of a very bad choice is a good sign. His expression and words had the ring of thoughtfulness, not of having been cooked. But why did he agree to a whitewash in the film until the Stern article appeared, and why was the past not accurately portrayed in his book?

Meanwhile, I have read the 1997 Stern article. According to that article, papers in the government archive in Berlin show that Mr. Harrer had joined both the SA and SS, which was a big step beyond the then then-standard required participation of teenagers with the Hitlerjugend. Apparently, Mr. Harrer regrets and rejects his early terrible choices, but Hollywood directors should not use a good story to make a film without first establishing the facts. Harrer's and Aufschneiter's Nazi affiliations were brought into the American-made film only after German journalists made public pressure by writing the facts in a German magazine. Germany was occupied by Allied forces until the mid-ninties. American bases still persist in Germany from that period. Historic responsibility for the Holocaust is taught in German public schools. Therefore it is not an accident that sharp reporters smelled something and went after it.

I plan to read Mr. Harrer's book. I would like to know his account of how he and his partner survived in the Himalayas during their escape from the British prison, and how they came to terms with learning to speak Tibetan in Llasa. That it was a great adventure is beyond question. That the SA and SS performed savage criminal acts under completely psychopathic leaders is also beyond question. Kristalnacht took place in 1938, street battles with guns took place between the SA and armed socialist paramilitary groups in the early thirties, and Hitler had long before that published Mein Kampf in the twenties. No one from that period can convincingly claim to have been ignorant of the intentions of Hitler and his Nazis.

In any case, that doesn't take away from the extraordinary adventure that Mr. Harrer tells us about. Will be interesting to read his book and compare with Elliot's "An Unexpected light: Travels in Afghanistan".

Seven Years in Tibet is one of my favorite movies of all time (next to The Godfather). The photography is beautiful and the story engaging. The fact that it may not be historically accurate doesn't take away the enertainment value.

Brad Pitt gives a fine performance, (he does a pretty good Austrian accent,) and this is saying a lot considering I've never been a huge fan. I believe part of what made this movie so engaging was its location. Tibet being such a secluded place, and Lhasa even more so, the depiction of it before oppression by the Chinese gave me a better understanding of just what was lost.

I'd recommend this movie to anyone.

I watched this movie for the first time when it was released in the theaters -- at that time I thought it was good, but not great. Since then, I've had a chance to attend an event in which the Dalai Lama spoke, and have come to see this movie in a new light. The story of the personal transformation of Harrar is uplifting and inspiring. I was moved by the tenderness between the young Dalai Lama and Heinreich Harrar. I used to be one of those that thought Brad Pitt was more suited to roles in "teen movies," but seeing "Seven Years in Tibet" proved me wrong. He has a depth in his acting that I didn't realize before. He portrayed Harrar with sophistication and complexity. He showed the arrogant, selfish side of his character with equal believability as his portrayal of the tenderness and grief Harrar must have felt in his growing love for his friends in Tibet.

I recieved the dvd 4 days after i ordered it and it was not in a standard dvd case its was in a normal music cd case and it was all in some asian language not even the title was in english. im looking for the senders e mail so i can maybe return it for the english version.

Before I came across this film, I was familiar with the soundtrack. Being a cellist, seeing that Yo-Yo Ma was the soloist for the performances on the album caught my attention. The music won me over!

Seeing the film, the breathtaking landscapes and rich colors of Lhasa won me again. I was (and still am) so caught up with the beauty of it all that I really haven't noticed if the acting seems forced or unconvincing.

As for the DVD, I *would have* liked extras on it! :( Unfortunately, on this edition, there are no behind-the-scenes clips or commentaries. For that, I give this item 4 out of 5 stars.

This is almost two films, the first one taking place before the main characters reach Tibet, when we're exposed to the extremely unlikeable character of Harrer and we learn to dislike him intensely; the second film deals with Harrer and his "friend" after they arrive in Tibet after escaping from a POW camp. In the first film, we learn fascinating lessons about mountain climbing and this part of Asia during the rise of the Nazis, and in the second we learn about Tibet and the young Dalai Lama. That said, this is an extremely entertaining film that's beautiful to watch, if we can get past our dislike of Pitt's character. Personally, I would have liked to see more growth in Harrer, more of a change as he realizes just how selfish he truly is--in the end, I'm still not sure that I'd like to sit down and have a conversation with the man. The acting is good, the cinematography is excellent, and the story is good, so this is one that I'd recommend. Add to that the historical and cultural lessons that we learn, and it turns it into a highly recommended film.