Seven Years in Tibet Movie Review

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

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Written by: Heinrich Harrer (book), Becky Johnston (screenplay)
Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, BD Wong
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian climber, breaks out of prison and travels to the holy city of Lhasa. He is employed as an instructor to the 14th Dalai Lama and soon becomes his close confidante.

Verdict
It's an epic tale of self improvement in the presence of the Dalai Lama, all the more impressive as it's a true story. The setting and idea carry this far. It's a nice story but a bit simple. An immature man grows up. Highlighting Tibet is a broader issue in the movie, and it's heartbreaking that a peaceful nation was overrun and ousted. Their philosophy of peace is a lesson for everyone. This movie is memorable for the setting more than anything else.
It depends.

Review
Heinrich (Brad Pitt) leaves Austria and his pregnant wife, to scale a mountain that's never been scaled. He's injured early during the ascent but doesn't tell anyone, putting Peter (David Thewlis) at risk. Due to the weather the group doesn't summit. Henreich is mad, wanting to ascend alone.

The group is imprisoned after Germany and Britain go to war. Heinrich is desperate to escape and summit the mountain. Is it just a matter of doing what's never been done? Does he want to succeed where others have failed? Could it just be ego? Heinrich and Peter escape and travel across India Heinrich isn't likable. He urges Peter to pawn his belongings, but he's unwilling to pawn his own valuables. It's clear he's immature. He's captured and escapes again.

Brad Pitt plays Heinrich Harrer

Heinrich and Peter bluff their way into Lhasa, Tibet. They're so hungry they eat food set out for dogs, but a kind man invites them for lunch. They're treated kindly, and you can see how Heinrich will transform. He's told that while Heinrich respects the man with a huge ego, Tibetans respect the man who abandons ego. Heinrich has a lot of ego and jealousy.

The Dalai Lama becomes fascinated by Heinrich and his culture, tasking him with building a movie house. The catch is that the Dalai Lama can't harm any living creatures so they have to dig the foundations without harming the worms in the dirt. The Dalai Lama's childlike wonder and interest causes Heinrich to reflect on his own life. He admits he ran away from his family. He even indirectly apologizes to Peter. We watch Heinrich grow.

Brad Pitt, Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk play Heinrich Harrer, Dalai Lama

This is an epic tale of personal growth. Not many can say they were mentored by the Dalai Lama, though Heinrich didn't realize that's what was happening at the time. He leaves Lhasa as a better man than when he arrived, though the town is in worse condition. It's no fault of his, just a sad state of affairs. China invades Tibet, rejecting and ignoring their customs. China is aggressive and militaristic, bullying a peaceful Tibet. It was never going to end well. The country is still ruled by China. We get a nice ending where Heinrich befriends the son from which he ran away. We don't know the depth of their relationship, but it's a sign of hope; that hope can change a person, that peace can overcome violence, and that no relationship is ever beyond repair.