Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Lhasa, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.
Cinematography
Those Himalayas will make you weep and question your vacation plans.
Production
Banned in China, filmed in Argentina—Hollywood finds a way.
Director
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Brad Pitt
Heinrich Harrer
Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
Dalai Lama, 14 Years Old
David Thewlis
Peter Aufschnaiter
BD Wong
Ngawang Jigme
Mako
Kungo Tsarong
Lhakpa Tsamchoe
Pema Lhaki
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
Ingrid Harrer
Duncan Fraser
British Officer
Danny Denzongpa
Regent
Victor Wong
Chinese 'Amban'
Jetsun Pema
Great Mother
Ama Ashe Dongtse
Tashi
Ric Young
General Chang Jing Wu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Heinrich Harrer was a former Nazi SS member—a detail the film conveniently soft-pedales in favor of spiritual awakening.
China's government was so furious they banned Brad Pitt films for years and pressured Disney to drop the project. The film was shot in Argentina and Nepal instead.
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