Rating: 
Summary: Standard Hollywood Product
Review: If you have read the Heinrich Harrer book, this film is a serious disappointment. Only the rough outline of what happened is preserved in the film. The rest is filled in with standard Hollywood plot devices. Too much time is devoted to things that never happened, like a gratuitous love triangle and conflict between the two western protagonists that never happened. For sure, this big budget production has all the colorful Tibetan pomp that money can buy, but take that away and you've got only generic melodrama: Enlightened white guy brings humanity and western wisdom to the Dalai Lama. I'm surprised they didn't have Robin Williams play the role.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe I'm a [stinker], but I loved this movie
Review: Maybe it's not Brad's best, but I certainly thought this was a moving and emotional film. The majesty and beauty of the Tibetan plateau is directly contrasted with the harsh struggle for survival. The main character's journey is as spiritual as it is geographical and one that I think everyone can identify with in some regard.
Rating:
Summary: stunning visual and emotional tale
Review: some may thank i over rate this film but first lets break the film down:the cinematography is beatiful.the film is based on a true story.its a great drama adventure film that should be told and heard.This film will just draw you in all the way to the climatic ending.all in all i ususally dont take up to these films but trust me and get this one its what your dvd was made for.the picture and sound quality compliment the stunning visuals and sound of the film.
Rating:
Summary: This movie did all it could
Review: I was expecting the worse afterrenting this movie one night. I had seen how quick this movie exitted the movie theatre's. I had seen how quickly it came and went with barely a flick of the public's eye. I hadn't talked to anyone who had even saw it. I only knew it from previews that left me shaking my head, 'Oh Brad please' and rolling my eyes. ANd I knew it also from hearing the latenight talk shows make fun of it. I can completely understand how and why this happened. No-one wants to be preached to by a hollywood moviestar or worse have to endure a movie to serve a moviestar's ego or sense of righteousness. However times change and so did I. I learned about the horrors of Tibet through another source from an actual Tibetan Monk who had been imprisoned and tortured and still spoke of love with out boundaries. His message was extremely powerful in this form. That was two or three years ago. Since then, when I chose to awake to the horrors of the world, I have kept Tibet ever in my thoughts and prayers. I try to spread the word but I know how difficult it is in this sleeping world of America. For I was part of it. We'd all rather not know and just watch TV or go to the movies. In this light it is clear why pretty much no one wanted to see this movie, even with Brad Pitt in it. The movies are what we escape with.
So now I watched it and I now then expected to be dissapointed in a completely different way. I thought it was going to be too hollywood and not portray the beauty of Tibet, the wisdom, and especially the tragedy that is bieng forced up on them. But this movie delivers. It is a personal story focusing on Brad Pitt's Henry who is pretty much a selfish jerk. He journeys and falls into some very bad luck and is abandoned by everyone and everything adn eventually he learns to abandon the jerk that he is. He develops a wonderful friendship with the Dalai Lama and slowly begins to open his mind to TIbet and it's heart. The movie is beautiful both in scenery and movement. It moves pretty slow but keeps a nice storytelling pace. This movie is great for anybody whether you know about Tibet or not. It's a nice story. The imagery and the music make it that much better
I think this was Brad Pitt's best chance to win an Oscar. I guess he's just too good looking to win one. Like it matters anyway. The oscars hasn't represented the Best of Anything in over a quarter of a Century. It sold out a long time ago as evident by the beautiful Iranian gem of a few years ago The Color of Paradise not even getting a best foriegn film nomination. I guess you have to be from Italy or France or Japan or Brazil to even get consideration. Bunch of SNobs don't even get me started. But this is a great movie. A movie that makes you say why doesn't Hollywood make more of these Movies that focus on Good Stories instead of glitter. But I guess my answer is found in the success that this Movie had. Or better yet what success it didn't. I'm talking ofcourse about the Holy AMerican Dollar.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritual
Review: There are so many spiritual moments in this movie. I was literally captivated from start to finish. The theme of mountain climbing was fascinating and the sheer beauty of the snow laden mountains gives the story a purity of spirit. In my humble opinion, this is Brad Pitt's finest movie yet. As the Austrian mountain climber, Heinrich Harrer, he brings a sexy warmth to a freezing climate. At first Heinrich is only concerned with his own existence and is quite out of touch with his spiritual self. He abruptly leaves his very pregnant wife to fend for herself as he runs off to join an expedition to climb Nanga Parbat in British India in 1939. He seems to be on a personal journey with destiny lending a hand. While climbing, he is captured and spends time as a prisoner of war. Not even this experience breaks the chains that seems to hold his soul captive. In his case, the enemy doesn't help him to develop patience and compassion. It takes the heart of a child to show him why he should climb down from the mountain of his own pride, so he can take on a higher challenge, love. This is a breathtakingly beautiful story of two souls who find one another under the most hostile situation. For a brief moment in time, they know true friendship, despite the age and cultural differences. Unfortunately, mankind is rarely happy with what they have and when Tibet comes under attack, the tranquility and harmony of the Tibetan city of Lhasa is completely destroyed. While humans have the ability to destroy one another, they also have the ultimate responsibility to love one another and nothing is more difficult when your philosophies of life clash so horribly. While peace is the ultimate goal, this movie brings the realization that evil is alive and well and that at times, evil seems to have an upper hand in many countries. Still, the hope for peace and happiness for every human burns in some hearts like a flame for the rest of the world to see. Finding a reason to live in a difficult situation and not running from your responsibilities to friends, family and country is also emphasized. Thoughtful and will leave you with a feeling of peace and hope. Quotes from the Dalai Lama I found recently: When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect towards others. We have to take seriously our concern for all of humanity. When we focus on our individuality, humanity inevitably suffers. Whether we love humanity or not, we must realize that we are part of it. That is why being compassionate is actually in my own best interest. And a symptom of my own peace of mind that I can share comfort with others around me. It is constructive and worthwhile to analyze our emotions, including compassion and our sense of caring, so that we can become more calm and happy. Hatred, jealousy, and fear hinder peace of mind. When you're angry or unforgiving, for example, your mental suffering is constant. It is better to forgive than to spoil your peace of mind with ill feelings. Altruism is the best source of happiness. There is no doubt about it.
Rating:
Summary: Epic introspective journey into one's self
Review: "Seven Years in Tibet" starts just like a modern version of an old Humphrey Bogart movie - from the technical point of view. Snip: (...)
Rating:
Summary: The story of one man's remarkable journey
Review: Seven Years in Tibet, being a true account, is a tale of journeys, both a physical journey and a spiritual one. The film centers around the selfish and arrogant Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), an Austrian who joins an expedition to climb Nanga Parbat in British India in 1939. When World War Two breaks out, he is arrested with his team and interned in India. Finally he and his friend escape and make their way into Tibet, the remote country of which few foreigners had ever entered. After a harrowing and near death two year trek across the remote regions of Tibet, Harrer and his companion arrive in the forbidden city of Lhasa, home to the Dalai Lama of Tibet. After a few more years of living amongst the Tibetan people, Harrer is forced to leave after the Communist Chinese invade Tibet. The movie does an excellent job of developing Harrer's character, who goes from being a lonely man who cares only for himself and his own personal glory, to a man who after encountering the gentle spirituality of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama, becomes a man who is at peace with himself and has attained his own level of self knowledge. While some may criticize Harrer as he was a member of the Nazi party, the film shows that he didnt really have any involvement with the party, and didn't seem too interested in the theories put forth by his country at the time. Besides, how can a man become friends with the gentlest people on earth and best friends with the human incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion if he is a man of hatred and racism? The film also realistically shows the true brutal nature of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Scenes of cultural destruction and genocide show the tragedy that engulfed Tibet, and that still continues to this day.
The actor playing the young Dalai Lama also does a wonderful job, playing the part with convincing compassion, wisdom and youthful earnestness that made him into one of today's most respected leaders. One of the best aspects of the film is it's photography and eye for detail. Spendid shots of mountains (although filmed in the Andes, it is uncanningly identical to Tibetan Himalaya.), mist shrouded valleys, and the grand Potala Palace that towers high above Lhasa, create a visually stunning film.
Rating: 
Summary: Adventure at the top of the world...
Review: This film might turn out to be one of the underrated movies of our time. Here, one can find some of the best works behind the camera lens. One would also be hard-pressed to find a single bad performance. I must admit one of my reservations from outrightly buying the film was because it starred Brad Pitt, (good looks, lightweight acting) but I was wrong. He did pretty well though I believe he was really unsuited for that role. His Austrian-German accent is not perfect, and it does not have to be as it is an English language film anyway. If it's lengthy (and I was warned about this) it had a story to convey and essential to the progression of the film. Jean-Jacques Annaud's direction goes a long way in bringing reality to the screen, without the fantasy usually associated with Tibet brought on by works like John Huston's "Lost Horizon" (made into a film in 1937 to wide acclaim). But then, Heinrich Harrer's story is no fantasy. The purification and redemption of an Austrian Olympic mountaineer/adventurer's life, from overweening self-assurance, a Nazi party member (and a decorated one at that) to hardship and disappointment and privation...and never trying to attain nirvana but merely trying to make one's way in an uncomprehending world is his journey to self-discovery. The film gives a superficial though intense contemporary glimpse of Tibetan history and life/customs like one would normally encounter in the old editions of National Geographic. But if you like travel and adventure to exotic places and can find some clear philosophical thinking by witnessing unadulterated cultural differences along the way, you are a lucky one--and this is a film for you.
Rating:
Summary: Ugh. Makes a total mess of history.
Review: This movie was pure fantasy. Heinrich Harrer was a decorated Nazi, but the movie does its best to ignore this fact. "Oh sure, he was a Nazi... but, he was a GOOD Nazi!" At the end of the movie, Harrer's voice-over expresses regret for his political affiliation. Back on Planet Reality, Harrer was totally unrepentant. I am convinced that the SOLE reason this movie was so popular was because of its star. "Kundun" was far better and far more accurate in its portrayal of the Dalai Lama's life.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I was a big fan of the book so when the movie came out, I was first in line. It always seems that movies never do the book justice but in this case, that wasn't true. Brad Pitt was fabulous in the lead role. As a matter of fact, I can't think of one character that wasn't great. The scenery was breathtaking and the dialogue wonderfully crafted. Watching Pitt's character develop and deepen was inspirational, especially when he was interacting with the Dalai Lama. As their friendship grew, the purer it got. The Dalai Lama himself (well the character) was truly amazing with his words of wisdom and clarity of life, especially at such a young age and in difficult circumstances. I wanted the movie to go on forever but all things must end. And what a beautiful ending it was! I plan on watching this one over and over.
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