Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4468 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-06-28
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, German, Tibetan
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 129 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Trailer A and B
The Making of..
Letterbox Ratio 2:35
Dolby Pro Logic

Synopsis
At the height of World War II, an emotionally remote Austrian mountain climber journeys to the holy city of Lhasa, Tibet in search of peaks to tame and finds instead an unexpected friend in the form of the young Dalai Lama. Under the influence of the holy leader, the mountaineer--and, not coincidentally, Nazi Party member--begins a personal journey that leads to a greater self-awareness and inner wisdom. Adapted from the eponymous memoir by Heinrich Harrer.

Customer Reviews

High Adventure on the Roof of the World
As so often, the film simplifies and slightly alters the story as told in the book of the same name and written by Heinrich Harrer; Brad Pitt plays the role excellently, by the way.

Harrer, a rather egoistic young Alpinist from Austria, is in the Himalayas when Britain declares war in 1939. He is interned in British-ruled India as an enemy alien (NB: NOT for any other reason). After several failed attempts at escape in the succeeding two years, he gets away, eventually linking up with a fellow Austrian climber. In order to avoid recapture, they trek high into the mountains and head for Tibet, then closed to all foreigners. By bending and breaking the rules, they get into Lhasa, the Holy City and are tolerated. Indeed, a young educated "civil servant" assists them and continues to do so after he is promoted to high ministerial rank. Harrer builds roads and becomes tutor to the young Dalai Lama, who lives in the Potala Palace high above the city. Harrer's friend marries a local lady; Harrer himself changes to a less egoistic person over time.

After WW2 grinds to its dreadful end, Harrer stays on until the Chinese invasion of 1949. He then returns to Austria, to find that his son (born after he left Austria) has almost grown up. The films ends with Harrer, back in the Austrian Alps, reconciled with his son and his climbing and escaping friend.

This film is largely true to the book. It was badly mauled on release in 1997 because the newspaper critics wanted the standard Spielberg-style Hollywood anti-Nazi propaganda message spelt out; this film is not a propagandistic film, thank God. The blanket condemnation of the critics really showed that there is a kind of "claque" at work in the UK and USA. In fact, Brad Pitt is stellar here, his performance just right. The film is heartwarming and never boring, which shows that Hollywood can do it, when allowed.

Something in it for everyone
A very powerful and moving true story based on the book by Heinrich Harrer. He escapes from a P.O.W. camp, treks to Tibet, tutors the Dalai Lama in the beautiful city of Lhasa and then faces war with China.It also follows Harrer's personal life with his wife and son. The film has something in it for everyone and I highly recommend it as you will feel part of the film. It contains mild swearing and violence.

Compelling and Inspirational
This is the sort of film that it becomes easy to criticise as its topic and setting is so vast. It is also one which people seem to be either utterly compelled by, or are sent off to sleep within the first half hour; this is doubtless due to the low-impact nature of the first half of the film. However, Seven Years in Tibet is aesthetically breathtaking and inherently inciteful. While Brad Pitt's Austrian accent leaves a little to be desired, the characters are portrayed excellently and the gradual reversal of Harrer's character is intricately woven into the wider upheavals of the Tibetan culture and the war continuing in the world outside. I found myself watching in real sadness as the Chinese gradually overpower the peace-loving tibetans, and by the end feeling as though I had a real understanding of the pain suffered by the Tibetan people, despite entering into the film with no prior knowledge whatsoever.
Obviously there is only a certain amount that can be covered in just over 2 hours, perhaps leaving some viewers feeling that the film is too much based on Harrer than the Tibetan way of life, but after all, this is the story of an individual's journey, it is not a documentary. Jean-Jaques Annaud's direction is imperious, as is the score, the production and the leading performances; given this framework the film could hardly fail to be brilliant, and I found it to be one of the most entralling and inspiring films that I have ever seen.