Where to Watch
Region
Apple TV Store
Rent from
HD
$3.99
Apple TV Store
Buy from
HD
$12.99
Amazon Video
Rent from
HD
$3.99
Amazon Video
Buy from
HD
$5.99
YouTube
Rent from
$3.59
See all 8 options →
Prices last updated September 17, 2026. Pricing and availability may vary by region.
powered by JustWatch
About
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.
Theatrical
Oct 10, 1997
Box Office
$131.5M
Budget
$70.0M
Return
1.9x
DVD / Blu-ray
Apr 7, 1998
Director
Writer
Producers
Jean-Jacques Annaud, Iain Smith, John H. Williams
Music
Studio
Mandalay Entertainment, Reperage, Vanguard Films, Applecross
Quotes
See all →Cultural Betrayal and Misunderstanding Explored
Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme
Hello, my friend. We did what was best for our country, for Tibet.
Heinrich Harrer
On the way to Lhasa I would see Tibetans wearing those jackets. Chinese soldiers very nice. Give food, clothes and money. Very nice. It's strange to me that something so harmless as a jacket can symbolize such a great lie.
Ngawang Jigme
After all these years you still don't understand our Tibetan ways. To return a gift is unforgivable.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Over Values and Materialism
Peter Aufschnaiter
Know what time it is? You think I'm so happy to be travelling with you I should pay for it? You're such a big man that you don't need to contribute?
Heinrich Harrer
You have a problem, Peter?
Peter Aufschnaiter
It reminds me of what you said at the bazaar back there. If I had a watch like that I would trade it. You do not have one, you cheap, lying bastard! You have three!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Cast
Full credits →
Brad Pitt
Heinrich Harrer
J
Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
Dalai Lama, 14 Years Old
D
David Thewlis
Peter Aufschnaiter
B
BD Wong
Ngawang Jigme
M
Mako
Kungo Tsarong
L
Lhakpa Tsamchoe
Pema Lhaki
I
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
Ingrid Harrer
D
Duncan Fraser
British Officer
D
Danny Denzongpa
Regent
V
Victor Wong
Chinese 'Amban'
J
Jetsun Pema
Great Mother
R
Ric Young
General Chang Jing Wu
B
Benedick Blythe
Nazi Official
