Seven Years in Tibet | Rotten Tomatoes

Seven Years in Tibet

PG-13

Released Oct 8, 1997

2h 16m

Drama

List

58%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

73%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

An egocentric Austrian mountaineer (Brad Pitt) gradually learns selflessness from the young Dalai Lama.

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Critics Consensus

Seven Years in Tibet tells its fascinating true-life story with a certain stolid grace, even if it never quite comes to life the way it could.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Unfortunately for Seven Years in Tibet, its focus is on the wrong guy. Harrer may be a fascinating figure in real life, but he never shows up here. The guy we're watching is never anyone but Brad Pitt.

Mar 6, 2018

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Too sluggish and fares better as a travelogue than a drama.

Rated: C

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

Pico Iyer

The New York Review of Books

If the film seems a little like a fairy tale, what can one do with the story of an Olympic skier who ends up as tutor to a boy-king regarded as a god?

Aug 17, 2018

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Pitt is smiling, taking his shirt off, brushing his blond locks with his hands, striking poses against the picturesque scenery--in short, being Brad Pitt.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 5, 2009

Full Review

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Audience Member

A good film, nothing amazing, just good. Seven Years in Tibet is a slowly paced film that works in my opinion. It dives into the two characters pretty decently. But the movie doesn’t dive into other characters very decently, so I think some of the movie’s flaws shows, but still I recommend this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/10/24

Full Review

DamHumans! E

Great Historic piece and I actually shook his hand when he was in NY at Javits center🙏

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/08/24

Full Review

Joel H

I didn't know much about Seven Years in Tibet before seeing it other than the title and the fact that Brad Pitt was in it. As I watched it, I kept wondering why filmmakers decided to tell Heinrich Harrer's story. While it had some interesting insights into Tibetan culture, I found the story to be dry and fairly uneventful. Also, Pitt's quasi-Austrian accent made me run to Google to make sure it wasn't just me that was distracted by it. Spoiler alert: it wasn't just me. And as the film dragged on, I found myself becoming less interested in what was going on. I did like John Williams' score, though.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

Senor Aire

I honestly don't understand why some people don't like this beautiful movie! Sure it might be a romanticized version of Tibet, but this movie intrigued me with interesting characters and arcs, a wonderful setting and a plot that is simple and yet so much. Would recommend, especially for history lovers. In some scenes it does feel a little slow.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

Artem M

It's a great and important historical movie. Critics must be ashamed for not supporting it enough.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

Farah R

Despite its poignant message, Seven Years in Tibet falls short of showcasing the true wonder of its fact-based story. Brad Pitt was not the best candidate to play Harrer, for his pretty blonde hair and babyface weren't suitable for the mature role he undertook. It was difficult to believe that he underwent the soul-altering character development of a man who befriended the Dalai Lama. Nevertheless, the breathtaking cinematography of Tibet's stunning landscapes and John Williams's beautiful score make it an enjoyable film regardless of its flaws and historical inaccuracies.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/13/23

Full Review

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Jean-Jacques Annaud

Director

Brad Pitt

Heinrich Harrer

David Thewlis

Peter Aufschnaiter

BD Wong

Ngawang Jigme

Mako

Kungo Tsarong

Danny Denzongpa

Regent

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Synopsis

An egocentric Austrian mountaineer (Brad Pitt) gradually learns selflessness from the young Dalai Lama.

Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Producer: John H. Williams, Iain Smith, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Catherine Moulin
Screenwriter: Heinrich Harrer, Becky Johnston
Distributor: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: TriStar Pictures, Mandalay Entertainment, Mandalay Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violent Scenes)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.9M
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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