Watch Seven Years in Tibet

Seven Years in Tibet is a 1997 biographical drama movie, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and starring Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, and BD Wong. The movie is based on the book of the same name written by Heinrich Harrer, which chronicles his experiences and encounters during his stay in Tibet from 1944-1951. The movie is set in pre and post- World War II time and follows the life of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer, who is forced to escape from a British internment camp in India and ends up in the mysterious land of Tibet.

The movie begins with the introduction of Heinrich Harrer (played by Brad Pitt), a renowned climber from Austria. He is shown to be an ambitious and proud man who is obsessed with his mountaineering pursuits, often putting his passion for climbing above his family. After breaking the record for the fastest ascent of the Eiger in Switzerland in 1938, Heinrich sets out to climb the Nanga Parbat in present-day Pakistan along with three other climbers.

However, their ascent is interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, and they get captured and interned by the British in India. Despite several attempts, Heinrich is unable to escape the internment camp until 1944 when he finally succeeds with the help of a few fellow prisoners, including his friend Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis). The duo sets out on a perilous journey across the Himalayas and finally makes it to the forbidden land of Tibet.

In Tibet, Heinrich and Peter encounter an entirely different world than the one they had left behind - a world of religion, spirituality, and tradition. However, they soon find out that the country is under an ongoing invasion from China and is under threat of being annexed. The duo is welcomed by the young Dalai Lama (BD Wong) who is fascinated by the western world and is seeking modernization for Tibet. Heinrich and Peter agree to teach him about the western world, and their bond grows over time. Heinrich also learns about Tibetan culture, Buddhism, and finds peace within himself.

The movie portrays the beauty of Tibet and its people through breathtaking cinematography and the powerful performances of the actors. Brad Pitt perfectly embodies the character of Heinrich, bringing his pride, ambition, and transformation to life. David Thewlis delivers an excellent performance as Peter, Heinrich's comrade in the journey, who learns and adapts to the Tibetan way of life with ease. BD Wong portrays the Dalai Lama with great subtlety and maturity, giving the character the right amount of innocence and wisdom.

In conclusion, Seven Years in Tibet is a must-watch movie for those interested in history, geography, culture, or spirituality. It is an excellent portrayal of the beauty and wonder of Tibet and the struggle of its people against oppression. The movie is a testament to the power of human compassion, inner peace, and acceptance, in the face of war, adversity, and cultural differences. The film received a mixed response upon its release, but its message has stood the test of time and continues to inspire audiences even today.

Seven Years in Tibet is a 1997 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 55.