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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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
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.
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
this film is the true story of the friendship which grew between a selfish climber who cared about nobody but himself, who had been everywhere and done everything, and the Dali Lama when he was a boy and was isolated and insulated from the real world. They meet when the climber and his friend go to Tibet and the Dali Lama wanted to learn about everyday things and people and the modern way of life. The climber tells him and shows him a world which is amazing to the young boy and they keep this friendship until the Chinese invade Tibet and the Dali Lama has to flee to India where he is to this day. The friendship survived the invasion and into the Dali Lama's adulthood. A very moving story of the opression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese but of the hope and optimism of the Dali Lama. Very entertaining and amusing in parts and moving in others. A must see for anyone.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Taken to the top of the world...and then higher.
This DVD was one of the most enjoyable stories that we have experienced in a long time.The beautiful scenery and great cine photography added to our belief that this was indeed a... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Snowdoniaman
Really good film, the shock was in the end titles
Let's deal with Brad Pitt first. Why put on a fake German accent. Germans speak German naturally, so if we're pretending to be German and speaking English while suspending... Read more
Published 6 months ago by R. W.
super
nothing more than perfect. The DVD was as new; delivery was laser fast and all in all a great buy. Thank you very much I would have no hesitation in buying again.
Published 9 months ago by Steve Parker
thank you very much
really good film and good quality would recomend seller, thank you very much for my free gift the dvd wild china, will look forward to watching it soon
Published 16 months ago by kazzo
Good family movie. A portrait of the how Tibet can effect people
I watched this move quite soon after it was released and enjoyed it but not really appreciating its significance. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Countrybabe
Flawed but excellent
Good thing Brad Pitt is actually such a good actor---despite his box-office golden looks, the kid really can draw you into his characters. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ms. P. S. Manix
oscar in retrospect
This film I watch again and again and I believe it should have had Oscars and Baftas for Lead actor, best supporting actor and screen play, music etc. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2009 by inch worm
Brad Pitt can act!
I just had to see this it is ok. I hear there is another Tibetan version one day I will see it.
Published on 5 April 2009 by Mr. Robert L. Knight
PRECIOSA ENSEÑANZA
Esta es la historia de un hombre arrogante, superficial y egoista que no piensa mas que en el mismo; esa arrogancia le lleva a llenar su vida de retos entre los cuales esta escalar... Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2008 by C. Bellegarrigue
Dedicated to the people of Tibet
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. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2008 by Gary Selikow
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