Seven Years in Tibet
At the time the movie was being made, the filmmakers were unaware that Heinrich Harrer, had been a member of the Nazi Party; in 1933 he joined the SA (Sturmabtelung) and then the SS (Schutzstaffel) in 1938. This was revealed by STERN Magazine after principal photography had been completed. When the film- makers learned the news they added some voice-overs mentioning Harrer's Nazi connection.
Harrer (Brad Pitt) was a famous mountain climber. When asked about his Nazi association, he claimed that it was to enable him to have more freedom to travel and engage in mountaineering. For the movie's sake, let us assume that it is true. From what the film tells of his character, it is likely that what he said is true.
It is known that Harrer was interested only in himself and in any glory that would accrue to him from his expeditions. In fact, he left his wife who was in the last months of pregnancy, giving us a good idea of how self-centered he was. As the film opens, he and a fellow-Austrian, Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis) are leaving Austria to set out to climb one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, Nanga Parbat.
When WWII breaks out, he and Peter are captured by the British and put in a prisoner of war camp from which they later escape. After two years of impossible trekking in snowy mountains and through India they arrive in a land that is very strange to them: Tibet. This was a time of much trouble in Tibet, their ongoing rebellion against China's rule. The filming site was actually in the Andes, in the Chile-Argentine borders where there were lots of mountains and snow, both very much needed.
The film shows the change that takes place in Harrer when he meets the young Dalai Lama whom he teaches about the Western world. At this time the Dalai Lama was a mere 14-years-old. As he grew to adulthood, he and Harrer, according to Harrer's book on which the film is based, became fast friends until the present. By film's end, Harrer is a changed person from what he was when he left Austria and his wife.
The crawl at film's end tells us that China, determined not to let Tibet secede, was responsible for the death of a million Tibetans as well as for the destruction of many thousands of monasteries. Little wonder that China has banned the film from being shown in China.
Beautifully filmed and acted, this is a superb movie. In addition, the photography is awe inspiring in its breath. And bringing the camera down to earth we are shown the beautiful Tibetan people lovingly photographed by Robert Fraisse.
Brad Pitt, with a great Austrian accent does a magnificent job as does David Thewlis. Others, in supporting roles, are B D Wong, Mako, Danny Denzongpa, Victor Wong. Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, Lhakpa Tsamchoe and Jetsun Pema.
Screenplay by Becky Johnston
Music by John Williams
Cello solos by Yo-Yo Ma
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Copyright 1997 Ben Hoffman
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