Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Brad Pitt: Heinrich Harrer

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Quotes 

• Pema Lhaki : Still, walking up mountains is a fool's pleasure, Heinrich.

  Heinrich Harrer : Not so foolish, really. Look at this. Go ahead. That's after I climbed the Eiger North Face. That's Olympics. Gold medal. Not important... this.

  Pema Lhaki : Then this is another great difference between our civilization and yours. You admire the man who pushes his way to the top in any walk of life while we admire the man who abandons his ego. The average Tibetan wouldn't think to thrust himself forward this way.

• Dalai Lama : I can't sleep. I'm afraid the dream might come back.

  Heinrich Harrer : A couple of insomniacs.

  Dalai Lama : Tell me a story, Heinrich. Tell me a story about climbing mountains.

  Heinrich Harrer : That's one way to fall asleep. Those stories bore even me.

  Dalai Lama : Then tell me what you love about it.

  Heinrich Harrer : The absolute simplicity. That's what I love. When you're climbing your mind is clear and free from all confusions. You have focus. And suddenly the light becomes sharper, the sounds are richer and you're filled with the deep, powerful presence of life. I've only felt that one other time.

  Dalai Lama : When?

  Heinrich Harrer : In your presence, Kundun.

• Heinrich Harrer : Ugh! Butter tea, it was never my cup of tea.

  [Peter begins to pour another cup] 

  Heinrich Harrer : No, no, no. One was enough.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : [continues pouring]  Yes. We must follow the custom. A fresh cup of tea is poured for the loved one departing.

  [picks up the tea] 

  Peter Aufschnaiter : No, no, no, no, no. It sits untouched, waiting for his return.

• 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.

  Heinrich Harrer : A man who betrays his culture shouldn't preach about its customs. There was a time I would have wished you dead but your shame will be your torture and your torture will be your life. I wish it to be long.

• Heinrich Harrer : There was a time that I would have wished you dead but your shame shall be your torture and your torture will be your life! I wish it to be long.

• Dalai Lama : But you see, Tibetans believe all living creatures were their mothers in a past life. So we must show them respect and repay their kindness. And never, never harm anything that lives. You can not ask a devout people to disregard a precious teaching.

  Heinrich Harrer : Yes but Your Holiness, with due respect, erm, we can't possibly

  [laughs] 

  Heinrich Harrer : I'm sorry, but we can't possibly save all the worms! Not if you want a theater in this lifetime.

  Dalai Lama : You have a clever mind. Think of a solution. And in the meantime you can explain to me, what is an elevator.

• Heinrich Harrer : In this place where time stands still it seems like everything is moving. Including me. I can't say I know where I'm going nor if my bad deeds can be purified. There are so many things I have done that I regret. But when I come to a full stop I hope you understand that the distance between us is not as great as it seems.

• Heinrich Harrer : You have to leave. You have to leave Tibet, Kundun. Your life's at great risk. Forgive my presumption but I have made arrangements to get you out safely. We should leave directly after the enthronement, the Chinese won't expect it.

  Dalai Lama : How can I help people if I run away from them? What kind of leader would I be? I have to stay here, Heinrich. Serving others is my path to liberation.

  Heinrich Harrer : Then I don't go either.

  Dalai Lama : Why not?

  Heinrich Harrer : Because you are my path to liberation.

  Dalai Lama : The Buddha said 'Salvation doesn't come from the sight of me. It demands strenuous effort and practise. So work hard and seek your own salvation constantly.' I am not your son. And I've never thought of you as my father. You've been much too informal to me for that. Do you ever think about him?

  [Heinrich cries, nodding] 

  Dalai Lama : And what do you think about?

  Heinrich Harrer : It's not a conscious thought really, Kundun. He is always there. When I crossed Tibet he was with me. When I came to Lhasa he was with me. When I sit beside you he is there with me. I can't even imagine how to picture the world without him in it.

• Heinrich Harrer : If only my hand could express, what is in my heart.

• Heinrich Harrer : It's strange to me that something so harmless as a jacket could symbolize such a great lie.

• Heinrich Harrer : Raising their flag is an honor the Chinese do not deserve.

  Ngawang Jigme : When you are not strong enough to fight, you should embrace your enemy. With both arms around you he cannot point a gun at you. Nothing in politics is a matter of honor, my friend.

• Heinrich Harrer : In my humble opinion, this is ridiculous.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Well, then, since you're so humble, we won't ask your opinion.

• Peter Aufschnaiter : Oh, by the way, I heard the Japanese have retreated all the way back to Shanghai. So even if you make it to the Chinese border you may have difficulties catching up with them.

  Heinrich Harrer : I don't care if they've retreated all the way back to Tokyo.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : You should if you want to get back to Austria.

  Heinrich Harrer : But I don't.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : You don't what?

  Heinrich Harrer : Plan to go back.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Why not?

  Heinrich Harrer : No particular reason. But when you get there tell my wife that two years in prison camp is roughly equal ant to four years of marriage and I'm glad to be free of them both.

• 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!

  Heinrich Harrer : This is junk from some Italian prisoners.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : I don't give a shit! Haven't you ever heard of a principle?

  Heinrich Harrer : What principle? What? You want a watch? Go ahead, take one, and keep your principles.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Look at you! Caught being a selfish brat and you're gloating!

  Heinrich Harrer : You're acting like an old woman, Peter. What do you want?

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Try apologizing. Try feeling a little remorse. And for all that's fair try to wipe that smirk off your face!

  Heinrich Harrer : Take your stinking watch and shut up! I don't need another boring sermon from some frustrated glorified tour guide.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : No wonder you are always alone. No one can stand your miserable company.

  [exits] 

  Heinrich Harrer : [Heinrich runs downhill chasing after Peter]  Please, take them.

  [offers the three watches to Peter] 

  Heinrich Harrer : It was wrong of me to hide them.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : [Peter takes the watches and attempts to return an attached wedding band]  Keep this.

  Heinrich Harrer : No. No. I didn't deserve it either. Go ahead.

• Heinrich Harrer : [narrated]  Dear Rolf Harrer: I'm a person you don't know, a man you've never met. But you are someone who occupies my mind, and my heart, in this distant land where I have gone. If you can imagine a hidden place tucked safely away from the world concealed by walls of high, snowcapped mountains, a place rich with all the strange beauty of your nighttime dreams, then you know where I am. In the country where I am traveling, Tibet, people believe if they walk long distances to holy places it purifies the bad deeds they've committed. They believe the more difficult the journey the greater the depth of purification. I've been walking from one faraway place to the next for many years. As long as you have lived. I have seen seasons change across the high plateaus. I have seen wild kiangs migrate south in winter and sweep back across the fields when spring appears. In this place, where time stands still, it seems that everything is moving including me. I can't say I know where I'm going, nor whether my bad deeds can be purified. There are so many things I have done which I regret. But when I come to a full stop, I hope you will understand that the distance between us is not as great as it seems. With deep affection your father, Heinrich Harrer.

• Dalai Lama : Do you listen to news from your country?

  Heinrich Harrer : From Austria? No, not really. Give me some light, Kundun.

  Dalai Lama : Why? It's your home.

  Heinrich Harrer : Not anymore it isn't.

  Dalai Lama : But don't you have friends and family there?

  Heinrich Harrer : A few friends, no family. Keep the light steady, your Holiness.

  Dalai Lama : Why? Is everyone dead?

  Heinrich Harrer : Do you know there's another way a sentence can be constructed than a question? I was married but I'm divorced.

  Dalai Lama : What did you do?

  Heinrich Harrer : I didn't want a child so I ran away to climb a mountain.

• [On the Himalayas] 

  Heinrich Harrer : A place rich with all the strange beauty of your nighttime dreams.

• Heinrich Harrer : You're a seamstress.

  Pema Lhaki : I'm a tailor, sir. The only tailor in Lhasa who has been to Calcutta and can reproduce these silly costumes.

• Heinrich Harrer : So much time to question oneself is... not good.

• [first lines] 

  Heinrich Harrer : Why must you be this way? Why, why is there always a problem? It's a good question. Do you want to go home? Do you want to turn around?

  Ingrid Harrer : Yes.

  Heinrich Harrer : Would that make... It's the Himalayas! How long have I been talking about the Himalayas? How long?

• Peter Aufschnaiter : You should have told me how bad that wound was. I should take a look at it. I can sew it up.

  Heinrich Harrer : It's not your problem.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Actually it is my problem. It's my life.

  Heinrich Harrer : What?

  Peter Aufschnaiter : When you conceal serious injury and put my life at risk I consider that my problem.

  Heinrich Harrer : No, you put your life at risk. I saved it so shut up!

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Please, it's not your place.

  Heinrich Harrer : Shut up!

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Next time you lie about an injury, Heinrich, you're off the team.

  Heinrich Harrer : Try it.

• Pema Lhaki : What about women? Have you met anyone you like?

  Heinrich Harrer : Women. Since I failed miserably with an Austrian wife... an exotic failure with a Tibetan wife seems misguided. But to answer your question, no, I haven't.

  [to Peter] 

  Heinrich Harrer : You?

  Pema Lhaki : A friend's good fortune is a blessing, Heinrich. I'm sorry you resent ours. You must be very lonely and sad.

  [a small pensive smile slowly creases Heinrich's face] 

• Heinrich Harrer : [internal monologue]  Tibet, the roof of the world. It feels as though we have ascended a medieval stone fortress towering above the center of Asia. This is the highest country on Earth. And the most isolated.

• Heinrich Harrer : Better a dead father than a lousy father.

• Heinrich Harrer : I have nothing to do with your silly war.

• Heinrich Harrer : [internal monologue]  Nearby, the Tibetan army practiced its maneuvers. Some of the soldiers wear ancient mesh armour. They bring old muskets and spears as artillery. The spectacle of a peace-loving nation, vainly attempting to create a military. The fears of war on my friends' faces... strike a deeply buried personal chord. Echoes of the aggressions of my own country... the will to overpower weaker peoples... bring shame to me. I shudder to recall how once long ago I embraced the same beliefs... how at one time I was, in fact no different from these... intolerant Chinese.

• Heinrich Harrer : Those mountains are treacherous. There are glaciers to be crossed. If you had roped up to me, I could have kept you alive.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Considering your performance the last time we roped up I think I'm safer without you.

  Heinrich Harrer : Of course.

• Heinrich Harrer : [internal monologue]  In preparation for the generals' visit sacred ceremonies are performed throughout Lhasa. Sculptures of deities have been carved with great care in butter. As the sun melts them, they become a reminder that nothing lasts.

• Heinrich Harrer : [internal monologue]  The Tibetans say an enemy is the greatest teacher... because only an enemy can help develop patience and compassion. They believe with rock-like faith that the power of their religion will protect them against these Chinese.

• Heinrich Harrer : Some people are glad to see us.

  Peter Aufschnaiter : Don't let it get to your head, Heinrich. When the Tibetans clap hands, it means they are driving out evil forces.

  Declaration Monk Official : [...]  It is the prophecy. It says here in the final testament of great thirteenth Dalai Lama. It may happen that in Tibet, religions and government will be attacked by outside forces. Unless we can guard our own country, monks and their monasteries will be destroyed. The lands and property of government officials will be seized. The Dalai Lama and all the revered holders of the faith will disappear and become nameless. Now you understand why we are not welcome to foreigners here?

• Heinrich Harrer : I don't know.

  Dalai Lama : Don't you have all the answers, Heinrich?

  Heinrich Harrer : No. I don't.