Harrer at the train station in 1939 appears hostile to the Nazi Party, taking their flag with reluctance.

At the station Harrer barges through the crowds, dragging his wife by the hand, and shows his resentment of Peter Aufschnaiter's selection as leader of the expedition. It becomes evident that Ingrid resents his departure. Harrer (Pitt) and his pregnant wife Ingrid (Ingeborga Dapkunaite) are briefly shown being driven to the train station in Graz, for Harrer's departure on an expedition to Nanga Parbat. The Dalai Lama is portrayed by three different actors as he grows up. The progress of Heinrich Harrer through India and Tibet on his trek across the high plateau to Lhasa is interwoven with the story of the young Dalai Lama growing into an 8 year old boy who becomes the spiritual leader of Tibet, with a thirst for western knowledge and later into an adolescent. One gift he receives, an ornate music box, has special meaning to him, as he is still a young child.

rAjOo introduction shows the young Dalai Lama receiving gifts from Tibetan monks. But nothing will prepare him for the devastation about to descend when Communist China decides to attack, leading to the deaths of over 1 million Tibetans, the destruction of over 6000 monasteries, and betrayal from their very own people. They meet regularly while he satiates the child's curiosity about the world, including Jack the Ripper and 'yellow hair' he is exposed to the teachings of Lord Buddha, He even constructs a movie theater, while getting news of the end of the war, his divorce, and his son's refusal to communicate. They are provided food and shelter, and Peter ends up marrying tailor Pema Lhaki, while Heinrich befriends the Dalai Lama. He attempts to break out several times in vain, but finally does succeed along with Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), and they end up in the holy city of Lhasa-a place forbidden to foreigners. Then WWII breaks out and they are arrested and lodged in Dehra Dun's P.O.W. An egoist and a loner, he does not get along with others on his team, but must bend to their wishes after bad weather threatens them.

After the deaths of 11 climbers, Austrian Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) decides to add glory to his country and to the Austrian pride by climbing Nanga Parbat in British India, and leaves his expectant wife behind.

7 years in tibet heinrich harrer