A Dramatic Triumph.

Rating: 9/10 (12 November 1998)

Pitt gives us a moving portrayal of Heinrich Harrer, a man torn between two worlds - that of his commitment to his wife in Austria (under the flag of the Nazi's) and his passion for mountain climbing. Annaud successfully covers Heinrich's hard journey through the Himilayas until he finally arrives in Tibet. From there, Heinrich comes to terms with his pompous ego - his materialistic ideals - next to the backdrop of a sacred country on the eve of an invasion from the Chinese communist forces.
A little dramatically incoherent in the preliminary scenes, the film suggests it could have gone for longer (hopefully a Director's Cut may be available). The Tibetan culture itself could also have been examined more closely.
Nevertheless, the film is a dramatic triumph from its stunning photography to its inspiring score by the master John Williams, with stirring cello solos from Yo-Yo Ma.