seems like seven hours of tedium

Rating: 5/10 (30 June 1999)

Despite the sumptuous photography, and a score - almost unnoticeable - by John Williams, this movie can only be recommended to fans of Tibetan culture or those interested in the history of the Chinese invasion of Tibet. It is based on the true story of the 1940's Tibetan sojourn of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountain climber. The movie is too long, and too many events are crammed into the first half-hour. Pitt, doubtless chosen for his blond Nordic good looks, is spectacularly miscast here; his Austrian accent sounds like Sylvester Stallone doing Colonel Clink. I learned more than I wanted to know (gag) about Tibetan funeral customs. The movie has the best of intentions, but....