Seven Years in Tibet is based on the true story of Australian mountaineer Heinrich, played by Brad Pitt. It takes us through Heinrich’s life events and how his perspective towards life changes after he befriends the Dalai Lama.
It starts in the year 1939 when an arrogant and egoistic Heinrich sets out on an expedition to climb the Himalayas, leaving behind his pregnant wife. He pays very little attention to human emotions.
During his climb, the second world war breaks out. Heinrich, along with his team, is captured and taken to India which is under British rule during that time. Heinrich thinks of his son every night whom he hopes to meet one day. It gives him a sense of joy during the hard prison days. In 1942 Heinrich, along with his friend (played by David Thewlis), escapes the prison and they make their way to Tibet.
The rest of the film is the seven years Heinrich spends there, centered around the unique friendship he forms with the child ruler of Tibet, the Dalai Lama. He undergoes a spiritual journey as his bond with the Dalai Lama deepens. He takes on the role of a teacher friend and father-like figure for the curious Dalai Lama. He builds a theatre for him to know about life outside Tibet. It seems that Heinrich tries to be the father to the Dalai Lama, a relationship he longs for with his son. The arrogant Heinrich at the beginning becomes gentler, wiser, and calmer as the film progresses. Their relationship follows an interesting path, where both Heinrich and the Dalia Lama learn so much from each other. Through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old, the film makes us reflect on our values and relationships.
Jamyang as Dalai Lama has acted incredibly, maintaining the balance between the role of a ruler following all responsibilities and an innocent curious child spying on strangers through his telescope.
Towards the end, the film also accounts for the event of Tibet being taken over by China, making thirteen-year-old Dalai Lama fly and take shelter in India. It’s devastating to see the destruction of the beautiful land of Tibet. The culturally oriented Buddhism followers of Tibet are forced into war by the Chinese and captured brutally.
The film ends on a felicitous note when Heinrich returns to the mountains, accompanied by his son, who is also a mountaineer now.
The film beautifully captures life in the hidden land of Tibet. The filmmaker, Jean-Jacques Annaud, tries to capture the minute details of the lifestyle, culture, music, and religion in Tibet. It made me want to take a trip to Tibet myself.
The cinematography is breathtaking and surreal. Robert Fraisse captures fascinating night and day shots in the Himalayas. The calm Tibetan music, composed by John Williams, adds to the beauty of the film. For instance in the initial part of the film when Heinrich is unable to climb the Himalayas, it seems that Henrich, as well as the Himalayas, carries anger and there’s a fight between the two. The dimensions of the music increase. The cinematographer captures a paranormal shot highlighting that the arrogant Heinrich is insignificant in front of the mighty Himalayas. However, towards the end when Henrich returns with his son, his purpose is different. He is calm and happy and so are the mountains.
It is an unusually beautiful film which will stay with you for a long time.
“I lacked the advice and guidance of experienced counsellors and so wasted many years before I realised that one must not pursue several aims at the same time.”
― Heinrich Harrer, Seven Years in Tibet
