The Underrated Brad Pitt Netflix True Story Adventure That Deserves More Attention
When you think of go-to Brad Pitt movies, what comes to mind? Probably Fight Club, Legends of the Fall, and the Ocean’s trilogy, but there’s an underrated one we think deserves more attention: the fascinating true story Seven Years in Tibet.
Seven Years In Tibet Received Mixed Reviews
First of all, it’s Brad Pitt, and you really can’t go wrong with anything he does. The good news is, Seven Years in Tibet is, in fact, a good film. While it only has a 58 percent from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 73 percent audience score.
Seven Years In Tibet Is An Inspirational True Story
Seven Years in Tibet is the story of Austrian climber and mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) who escapes from a WWII POW camp and travels to the holy city of Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. He is hired as an instructor to the 14th Dalai Lama, and the two become close. The real-life Harrer, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 93, was a controversial figure.
He was a member of Hitler’s SS guard. He also leaves his pregnant wife at one point. It’s said he went through a spiritual transformation through his contact with Tibetan Buddhists.
The Cast
Seven Years in Tibet is an epic, road picture. It was shot on location in Argentina and British Columbia, Canada and features gorgeous landscapes and climbing sequences. Brad Pitt’s co-stars include David Thewlis, who you may know from his brilliantly creepy showing in the third season of Fargo, or his beloved portrayal of Professor Lupin in Harry Potter. Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk also gives a stunning performance.
Brad Pitt Was Banned From China For Making The Film
Pitt’s performance is sincere, and while it’s only two hours and 16 minutes for the audience, it took up half a year of his life. The actor said it was a life-changing experience. We’d say so!
He was actually banned from entering China in the wake of the film. The People’s Republic of China was unhappy with the movie’s negative depiction of Chinese military officers, as well as the positive portrayal of the 14th Dalai Lama. Brad Pitt, David Thewlis, and Director Jean-Jacques Annaud were all banned from entering the country.
However, the ban seems to be flexible since Pitt would later go on to visit China on two separate occasions. One of those times being with then-love Angelina Jolie.
Seven Years In Tibet Made Money At The Theaters
Despite the so-so reviews, it got back in 1997, Seven Years in Tibet is considered a box-office success. It had a $70 million budget and would go on to make $131.5 million. The film also does a good job sticking to the real story, based on Heinrich Harrer’s 1952 memoir of the same name. Also, it’s no easy feat for Brad Pitt to be taking on the role of a controversial extreme climber who was a member of the SS.
Stream Seven Years In Tibet On Netflix
Should you watch Seven Years in Tibet? In short, yes. It’s blonde, gorgeous Brad Pitt, but aside from that, it may make you more inquisitive and even open your eyes to a world beyond your borders. You can stream the drama right now on Netflix.
