Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

reviewed by
Steve Kong


SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET (1997)
A film review by Steve Kong
Copyright 1997 Steve Kong

I'll start out by saying Seven Years in Tibet is one of the best looking films of this year. Seven Years in Tibet and the recent The Matchmaker (starring Janeane Garafalo) are on the top of my list as great looking films of 1997. Cinematographer, Robert Fraisse, should be noted for the beautifully shot Seven Years in Tibet.

Seven Years in Tibet is based on the autobiographical book by the same name, written by Heinrich Herrer. Though the previews seem to give the sense that the movie follows the friendship between Herrer and the Dalai Lama, that only happens during the last half of the film. As the film starts we learn that, the Austrian, Herrer (Brad Pitt) is invited by the Nazi government to be part of an expedition to climb the Nanga Parbat, one of the tallest mountains in the Himalayas. With his leaving for the expedition he leaves behind his pregnant wife. Herrer befriends the leader of the expedition, Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), the friendship is built through their many hardships together.

The expedition comes to a halt and the team goes back down the mountain to find that they are being detained as prisoners of war. Herrer tries many times to escape the prison, but is unsuccessful. He finally escapes with the help of Aufschnaiter and they trek through the mountains of India to arrive at the Tibetan holy city Lhasa. The residents quickly accept them, which is not an easy thing because foreigners at the time were looked upon badly. It is here that Herrer befriends the Dalai Lama who is portrayed by newcomer Jamyang Wangchuk.

The best performance in Seven Years is by the newcomer Jamyang Wangchuk. His performance as the Dalai Lama is absolutely excellent. Pitt does not fare so well though. He doesn't do badly in the film, but his performance was mediocre at best. One big flaw was his disappearing and reappearing accent. Thewlis does well as Aufschnaiter; the last time I saw Thewlis was in Dragon Heart where he portrayed a wimpy prince.

Worth mentioning is the score by John Williams. Though not one of his stronger scores, it is a good score to the film. Also worth mentioning are the beautiful set design by At Hoang and costume design by Enrico Sabatini. But, again, the biggest thing going for Seven Years is the cinematography by Fraisse.

The movie does run a bit long; the analogy that I would put for the film is "a long long drive through a beautiful place." Director Jean-Jacques Annaud and screenwriter Becky Johnson seem to add the last quarter of the film to lengthen it a bit, which, though very informative about what the Chinese did to the Tibetans, causes the audience to lose focus on the story of Herrer. The film is a redemption story about Herrer, who starts out as an arrogant self-righteous man, but in the end learns his wrongs and changes.

Seven Years in Tibet is a long film that is entertaining and informative. I enjoyed the cinematography the most in this film. Jamyang Wangchuk is the real star of the film and this film should be seen for his performance.

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 steve kong      steve@boiled.sbay.org
 spy on me at:   http://boiled.sbay.org/steve-cam/
 movie reviews:  http://boiled.sbay.org/boiled/
 "I drive a Volvo.  A beige one." - Dr. Stanley Goodspeed
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