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- 1997 Epic, Which Led to a Nearly 20-Year Ban for Star Brad Pitt, Is Coming to Netflix This Week (parade.com)
Brad Pitt’s lesser-known “Seven” film, Seven Years in Tibet, is making its way to Netflix this week.
Starting Thursday, October 1, the biographical drama will join an impressive lineup of new and classic titles on the streaming platform. Alongside Seven Years in Tibet, viewers can look forward to additions like Crazy Rich, Incredibly Broke, East of Eden, and The Ramparts of Ice, as well as beloved classics such as Psycho, Twilight, and Point Break.
For those unfamiliar with Seven Years in Tibet, the film tells the true story of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer and former Nazi Party member who escapes a British POW camp during World War II. Harrer finds refuge in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, where he forms a life-changing friendship with the young 14th Dalai Lama.
Brad Pitt portrays Harrer in the movie, a role that required rigorous mountaineering training and cultural immersion. Interestingly, the film’s content reportedly led to Pitt being banned from entering China.
In a 2019 interview, Pitt reflected on the profound impact of preparing for the role, describing the experience as more than just a two-hour film but a six-month journey that deeply affected him. However, the Chinese government took issue with the movie’s depiction of Tibet under Chinese occupation, particularly its portrayal of Chinese military figures and its sympathetic view of the Dalai Lama. As a result, Pitt, co-star David Thewlis, and director Jean-Jacques Annaud were reportedly barred from entering China.
Despite this, Pitt did make appearances in China later on-for example, in 2014 for Maleficent promotions and again in 2016 for Allied, marking his first promotional visit since the supposed ban nearly two decades earlier.
The production itself encountered significant obstacles due to political sensitivities. Originally planning to film in India, the crew faced pressure from Chinese authorities that led to a change in location.
The filmmakers instead shot scenes in Argentina and Canada to recreate Tibet, even incorporating secretly filmed footage from Tibet into the final cut. The production went to great lengths to maintain authenticity, including importing yaks to Argentina, each assigned its own passport with photographs and details.
Pitt is among several celebrities who have faced restrictions in China due to their involvement in controversial projects, a list that includes Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Martin Scorsese, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber.
Meanwhile, Pitt continues to explore rugged landscapes in his recent work. His new film, Heart of the Beast, was shot in New Zealand’s South Island and tells the story of a retired U.S. Special Forces veteran surviving the Alaskan wilderness alongside his loyal military dog, played by a talented German shepherd named Uber.
In addition, fans can look forward to The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, David Fincher’s highly anticipated follow-up to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Pitt reprises his Oscar-winning role as Cliff Booth in this Netflix release, premiering December 23.
With so many projects underway, it seems there’s enough Brad Pitt content to keep fans busy for years to come.