Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film Seven Years in Tibet is a true story about the life of Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) and takes place between the years 1939-1951. It is based on an autobiography of the same name. It follows his journey from Austria, where he leaves his pregnant wife, to the Himalayas, where he is to climb for Nazi Germany.
Heinrich’s Personal Life
At the beginning of the film, Heinrich is leaving Austria and seems to have no remorse for the fact that he is abandoning his pregnant wife, nor does he even treat her thoughts or comments with any respect. He is is so self-absorbed that his ego has become the most important thing in his life. Although the baby is due in a month, it doesn't matter because he needs his glory. Although he never seems to directly support the Nazi regime, nor is he a high ranking member, he is still willing to work for the Nazis in order to be able to keep himself safe and get support for his journey.
Capture and Escape to Tibet
He is captured by British forces after war is declared and he is sent to a P.O.W. camp in India. He decides to leave with the group of escapees that offered to help him earlier, a group which included his guide, Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis). Although he mocks the attempt, calling it ridiculous, he still seems to have enough hope to go along with it. He abandons the others after the escape, He later joins up with Peter, whose companions have either been abandoned or went back due to illness.
Over the next five years, the two men travel through India and up into Tibet, where they meet many hardships At one point, Heinrich forces Peter to sell a watch his father gave him to buy food. Peter later finds that Heinrich has three watches and becomes very angry. Peter tells him to “Try apologizing. Try feeling a little remorse. And for all that's fair try to wipe that smirk off your face!” Peter then heads off. But this time, Heinrich chooses not to stay alone, but follows Peter and makes up with him. They make their way to Tibet.
Life in Tibet and the Dalai Lama
While in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, Heinrich builds a theater and helps with surveying the city. At this time he receives a letter from his son asking him to stop writing. He also ends up befriending and tutoring the young Fourteenth Dalai Lama (the current Dalai Lama, Llamo Thondup). In their conversations, Kundun asks Heinrich many questions about himself, which causes Heinrich to evaluate himself more intensely than ever.
Eventually Lhasa is betrayed to the Chinese by one of their ministers who felt they could not defend themselves against the invaders, and the city comes under Chinese control.
Heinrich’s Departure
Heinrich says goodbye to the Dalai Lama before he finally decides to return home to his son and try to fix the mistakes of his past. He eventually reconciles with his son and seems to continue to remember and embrace what he learned in Tibet.
There are many Buddhist themes throughout this movie.
