Brad Pitt’s Controversial War Film Turns 28 Today – Still Banned in China
Today marks 28 years since the release of the Brad Pitt-starring war drama Seven Years in Tibet, a film that remains notorious for being banned in China.
Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, the 1997 movie is based on Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer’s memoir of the same name. It tells the story of Harrer’s experiences in Tibet between 1944 and 1951, and his unexpected friendship with the young 14th Dalai Lama.
In the film, Pitt plays Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer who, along with fellow climber Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), is imprisoned by the British in India at the start of World War II.
The two men manage a daring escape in 1944, crossing the high Himalayas to reach Tibet. Initially ordered to return to India, they instead find refuge in Lhasa. There, Harrer becomes a tutor and close companion to the young Dalai Lama, learning about Tibetan culture and its spiritual traditions.
The story follows Harrer and Aufschnaiter until the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the Battle of Chamdo in 1950.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 1997, before opening commercially in the United States and Canada on October 8. It initially screened in just three theaters, earning $46,130 in two days.
Once it expanded to over 2,100 theaters, the film made $10 million over its opening weekend. Seven Years in Tibet went on to gross $37.9 million domestically and $93.5 million overseas, totaling approximately $131.5 million worldwide.
Critics gave the film mixed reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 58% approval rating, noting, “Seven Years in Tibet tells its fascinating true-life story with a certain stolid grace, even if it never quite comes to life the way it could.”
Metacritic’s score was 55 out of 100, reflecting average reception from mainstream critics. Despite this, audiences were more favorable, with CinemaScore reporting an A- grade. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times praised the movie as “an ambitious and beautiful film with much to interest the patient viewer,” although he criticized its focus on the adventurers over the people and culture they encounter.
Variety’s Derek Elley commended the film’s production but noted that it sometimes held back from full emotional impact.
One of the most controversial aspects of the movie was its portrayal of China. Upon release, the Chinese government condemned the film, claiming it depicted Communist Chinese military officers as rude and brutal, oppressing the local population.
Officials were also unhappy with the positive depiction of the Dalai Lama, whom they consider a separatist. China’s reaction was severe: all future Sony films were banned, and director Annaud, along with actors Pitt and Thewlis, were barred from entering the country.
A statement from Chinese authorities sent a clear message to Hollywood about the consequences of portraying China unfavorably, even in films not intended for domestic release.
Over time, some restrictions were relaxed. Annaud was invited back in 2012 to chair the jury of the Shanghai International Film Festival, and Pitt visited China in 2014 and 2016. Sony resumed operations in China in 1998, but Seven Years in Tibet has never been officially screened there.
Despite the controversy, the movie has left a lasting cultural impact. The film’s cinematography, John Williams’ score, and Yo-Yo Ma’s cello performance have been widely praised. Pitt’s portrayal of Harrer remains one of his notable dramatic roles, and the story continues to introduce audiences to Tibetan culture and history.
Looking back, Seven Years in Tibet is remembered not only for its storytelling and performances but also for its political significance. It highlights how cinema can spark international debates and bring historical issues to a global audience. The film serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between artistic expression and political sensitivities, especially when dealing with real-world events.
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