Movie Guys: You won’t regret spending ‘Seven Years in Tibet’

Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997 | 10:05 a.m.

* Grades: Jeff, A; Dave, B.

* Starring: Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, B.D. Wong.

* Screenplay: Becky Johnston.

* Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud.

* Studio: TriStar Pictures.

* Rated: PG-13 for adult themes, language.

* Running Time: 131 minutes

Jeff: The Hollywood movie machine produces so many varieties of films: comedies, dramas, action-adventure, etc. What the dream factory does best, however, is the bigger-than-life, grand spectacle of the epic motion picture. The American Heritage Dictionary defines an epic as "a long narrative celebrating the feats of a traditional hero of great size or duration." By definition, then, "Seven Years in Tibet" is most assuredly an epic.

It is the fall of 1939 and Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), a renowned Austrian mountain climber, and his partner, Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), set out to conquer Nanga Parbat, one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. The egocentric Harrer can only think of the popularity he'll gain after reaching the top. Harrer continually tests the patience of his friends and risks losing his marriage to a wife who's carrying a child he doesn't want.

But Harrer and his crew fail in their first attempt to climb the mountain due to inclement weather. They travel back down the mountain where the German climbers are arrested by the British Army as prisoners-of-war. With the outbreak of World War II, Harrer begins a journey of self-discovery that takes him from being a POW in a British camp, through a daring escape and ultimately, a two-year odyssey from India to the Tibetan border.

Humbled by his experiences as a P.O.W., Harrer escapes with Aufschnaiter. After battling bandits, braving the extreme cold and going half-crazed with starvation, he ventures through the Himalayan region to "the mysterious Tibetan city of Lhasa," where he befriends and tutors a young Dalai Lama.

The Lama displays a thirst for knowledge of Western culture. The growing friendship between these two reclusive strangers from different worlds ended up becoming a seven-year stay for Harrer. His extended visit completes the emotional change in Harrer which began the moment he embarked on his incredible journey.

Brad Pitt gives the performance of his career through his emotionally charged portrayal of a man who is forever changed by the mystic ancient culture of Tibet. Pitt proves that he can master even the most complex, dramatic leading roles while still retaining his image as a sex symbol. Pitt's dedication to the role shows in all of his efforts. He even trained for two intensive weeks in Austria learning how to mountain-climb with seasoned professionals in preparation for rigorous scenes shot on a remote Argentine mountain range.

British-born David Thewlis holds his own ground opposite Pitt, while the rest of the cast, including Mako, B.D. Wong, and 14 year-old Jamyang Wangchuk as the young Dalai Lama, all give memorable performances in conveying the stark realism of the cultural, political upheaval of Tibet's takeover by communist China.

Director Jean-Jacques Annaud spent 18 months of pre-production on "Seven Years in Tibet." Annaud assembled some of the world's most talented craftsmen and his production team reads like a who's-who of cinema. "Seven Years in Tibet" is comparable to many of the silver screen's best epics. It has majestic, panoramic vistas, a sweeping score (the very soul of the film) by the legendary John Williams and authentic, colorful costumes by Italian designer Enrico Sabbatini.

"Seven Years in Tibet" plays at times as a Buddhist version of "The Last Emperor," yet it has all the elements for a classic: thousands of extras, remote and exotic locations, breathtaking cinematography and the story of a man who finds self-respect and contentment in the most unlikely of places ... the rooftop of the world.

"Seven Years in Tibet" gets an A.

Dave: Superstar Brad Pitt has become one of today's biggest and most prominent actors by simply proving that his talents do not rely on good looks alone. Whether he is charismatic ("Legends of the Fall," "A River Runs Through It") or psychotic ("Kalifornia," "Twelve Monkeys"), he delivers a degree of passion to his performances that is rarely matched by his contemporaries.

In his latest feature, "Seven Years in Tibet," Pitt attempts once again to shed the glamorous pretty-boy image and take on the role of Heinrich Harrer, the famous Austrian mountaineer of the '30s.

After all his travails -- described above -- and with his befriending of the young Dalai Lama (14 year-old Jamyang Wangchuk), Harrer unknowingly exchanges his teachings of the Western world in return for spiritual growth and human compassion. It is the time Harrer spends in the company of the Lama that gives the film its title and represents Harrer's transformation from selfish glory-seeker to humble humanitarian.

Pitt may have come across his most challenging role to date. As Harrer, he wears his torturous guilt on his sleeve. He witnesses the political invasion of the peaceful nation of Tibet by the Chinese government, which mirrored his own political agenda as a member of the Nazi Party. He compares his friendship with the Tibetan religious leader to the relationship he might have had with his estranged son. Pitt is nearly flawless in conveying Harrer's emotional journey ... only his German accent calls attention to itself as it slips in and out.

Director Jean-Jacques Annaud ("The Name of the Rose") does a superior job in recreating the Tibetan culture and capturing its rich history. Cinematographer Robert Fraisse does a masterful job in shooting the incredible scenery of the Tibetan landscape. Ultimately, it's the performances, especially Brad Pitt's, that makes spending "Seven Years in Tibet" an experience to remember.

"Seven Years in Tibet" gets a a B.

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