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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2431 in DVD
• Released on: 1998-04-07
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 136 minutes

Amazon.com
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

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Customer Reviews

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.

Best Film Brad Pitt has Made
I loved the book and read it many long years ago. At the time I wondered why no one had made it into a movie. Seeing the film finally make it to the screen was a joy for me although the book was a different experience in some ways - but the film is no less enjoyable. I was never a huge fan of Brad Pitt - I like his movies like Ocean 11 and such but I just saw him as one of those younger actors - however, he pulls a performance out of himself that is one of the best; certainly his best effort ever.

The film captures such beauty in its landscape shots and those of people; however, it has that underlying spiritual tone to it as it unfolds - that brings the viewer closer to people on the screen and the story and action. This story, of course is true, which makes it even more impressive.

I would rate this as one of a couple of dozen best films ever made - even though few people went to buy tickets to see it at the box office. In time, people may come to realize that this is a classic film and that Brad Pitt did an outstanding job.

I have seen this movie many times and still seem to get something new from it each time. So, owning the DVD is a good idea - then you can view it as often as the mood strikes you to do so. I fully recommend this movie for anyone searching for his or her own life adventure and spiritual journey.

Read the book.
Don't bother watching this. It is a poor recreation of a fantastic and sometimes unbelievable book. It's hard to believe this story is true; a man escapes a prison, wanders up into the mountains and becomes friends with the Dali Lama.I was so anxious to see this film, loving the book, and was so let down. It's quite boring.It's a hard book to bring to the screen anyway, so I would reccommend reading the book first. If you watch the film first, you're liable not to want to pick the book up at all, and that would be a shame as the story is wonderful.

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