Seven Years in Tibet

Name: Seven Years in Tibet
Genre: Adventure, Drama, History
Released: 1997-09-12
Cast: Brad Pitt, Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk, David Thewlis, BD Wong, Mako

1997 | 136 min | Adventure, Drama, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It's still drawing plenty of interest, though it had middling reviews (58% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved War Horse or The Great Escape, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
The mood: Exciting.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 16 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much: an easy pick for most people.

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.

How it earned its rating

CriticsBelow par
58% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
Box office & staying powerSolid
$131 million worldwide on a $70 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 284K people sought it out in the past year