Seven Years in Tibet

Movie Poster

Country	United States United Kingdom
Directed by	Jean-Jacques Annaud
Release Date	October 8, 1997
Language	English German Nepali Hindi Mandarin Tibetan
Studio	Mandalay Entertainment
Distributor	TriStar Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Heinrich Harrer	Brad Pitt
Peter Aufschnaiter	David Thewlis
Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme	B.D. Wong
Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, 14 years old	Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
Tsarong	Mako

Seven Years in Tibet is a 1997 American movie directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer takes part in a Himalayan expedition in 1939, although his wife is pregnant. At the Nanga Parbat, the egomaniac gets together with the expedition leader Peter Aufschnaiter but their conflict is interrupted. As the Second World War broke out, the British colonial power brought the brawlers into the internment camp. Only in 1944 did they manage to break out. Reluctantly, Harrer and Aufschnaiter clash and flee to nearby Tibet together. There, on the roof of the world, Harrer makes friends with Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama.

The following weapons were used in the film Seven Years in Tibet:

Handguns

Revolvers

British and Tibetan army officers wield unknown revolvers which are mostly seen carried in holsters. Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis) also carries one as he is disguised as a British officer.

A Gurkha officer brandishes his revolver to rally up his men to get after the escaped Heinrich.

The drawn revolver is seen on the right.

Disguised Aufschnaiter leaves the storage room of the prisoner camp.

A closer view of the rounded grip.

Aufschnaiter turns around which offers another view of his holtered revolver.

Tsarong (Mako) between two Tibetan officers with revolvers in their holstered.

Tokarev TT-33 / Norinco Type 54

A Tibetan monk is forced by Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers to shoot his older tutor with a post-1947 Tokarev TT-33 or Norinco Type 54 pistol.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Type 54 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A PLA officer points his pistol at the older monk.

A close up of the left side when the officer forcibly hands him the gun.

The younger monk refuses to take the pistol.

The monk screams before pulling the trigger.

Mauser C96

Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt) takes a Mauser C96 before leaving Tibet.

Mauser C96 M1930 - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Heinrich holds the Mauser C96 taken from the bag.

Colt M1911A1

A Colt M1911A1 is also stored by Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt).

Colt M1911A1 "Colt Government Model" - .45 ACP

Heinrich with the Colt and the Mauser pistols.

Submachine Guns

MP 40

German soldiers at the train station in Graz have MP 40s. Since this scene takes place in 1939, the appearance is anachronistic. A more suitable choice would be the MP 28 or the MP 38.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm Parabellum

A tankcrew member on the left stands guard with his MP 40.

Two Wehrmacht soldiers carry their MP 40s on the left.

Sten Mk. II

Some Sten Mk IIs are used by British-Indian soldiers. Like the MP 40, the appearance of the Sten in 1939 is an anachronism; the M1928A1 Thompson would be a more accurate choice.

Sten Mark II (Canadian) - 9x19mm

Two Gurkhas spread out after Heinrich's first escape attempt.

The two soldiers with Stens in their hands dragging back Heinrich (Brad Pitt).

Another view of the scene.

PPS-43 / Type 43

The main weapon of the Chinese People's Liberation Army is the PPS-43 or its Chinese version, the Type 43 which is virtually identical to the Soviet PPS-43 save for markings.

PPS-43 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Type 43 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

Two PLA soldiers fire their PPSs at a Tibetan sacred site.

A close up of one PPS ejecting spent 7.62x25mm casings.

A line of Chinese soldiers advance during the dawn with their submachine guns.

A soldier opens fire at retreating Tibetan militia fighters.

A wave of PLA soldiers charge the Tibetan militia camp.

Chinese soldiers cross the aftermath of the firefight.

M3A1 "Grease Gun"

The M3A1 "Grease Gun" is delivered to the Chinese Nationalist Government troops which are later used by the Communist People's Liberation Army.

M3A1 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP

A Nationalist Army officer inspect a crate full of Grease guns.

A PLA soldier fires his "Grease Gun" at fleeing Tibetan civilians.

Two PLA soldiers guarding the entrance of the Chinese consulate where Ngawang Jigme's (B.D. Wong) comes out.

A close up of the dustcover as a PLA soldier steps aside.

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

At least, one German soldier can briefly be seen with a Karabiner 98k at the film's beginning.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The soldier in center with his slung Karabiner.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III*

British-Indian soldiers are armed with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles, as well, as many Tibetan militia fighters.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III - .303 British

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III* - .303 British

Two Gurkhas in the background guard the arrested Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis), Lutz Chicken (Tom Raudaschl), and Hans Lobenhoffer (Wolfgang Tonninger).

A closer view of the muzzle next to the sitting Peter Aufschnaiter.

A Gurkha holding an SMLE pulls back Heinrich into the Chevrolet C15A CMP truck. This is a No. 1 Mk. III variant with the magazine cut-off.

Two British-Indian soldiers dragging Heinrich back to the POW camp after his fourth escape attempt in October 1940. Note the chamber without the magazine cut-off which indicates to the No. 1 Mk. III*.

Lee-Enfields seen in the armory of the Tibetan Army.

A Tibetan militiaman inspects the chamber of his received SMLE.

Militiamen assemble with their rifles.

A slung Lee-Enfield of a militiaman transporting a weapon crate.

Enfield P14

National Chinese soldiers and Tibetan troops are seen with Pattern 1914 Enfields.

Enfield Pattern 1914 (P 14) - .303 British

A Kuomintang soldier stands guard with his P14 at the KMT consulate.

An Enfield P14 is seen among rifles of the Tibetan Army on the far right.

A militiaman carries an Enfield over his back in the background.

Mauser M1895 Carbine

Among the wielded Mauser rifles are M1895 Chilean Mauser carbines.

Carabina Mauser Modelo 1895 - 7x57mm Mauser

A German soldier right above the camera carries a Chilean Mauser carbine; recognizable by the non H-style front barrel band.

The militiaman second from right checks his Mauser carbine.

Two militiamen in center ready their carbines.

Matchlock Musket

A militiaman is seen firing a Matchlock Musket during the night battle.

Tibetan 19th century matchlock musket, bipods equipped.

The militiaman desperately fires his musket.

Another view of the same scene as he lowers his musket.

Mauser Model 1903/30

Several Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers can be seen with Turkish Model 1903/30 rifles, which may stand in for the Chinese M1907 Mauser.

Mauser Model 1903/30 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The barrel can be seen between the Tibetan monks. Note the recoil lug in the stock.

A full view of the Mauser aimed at the older monk. This shot reveals the large stripper clip bridges on the receiver. Also, note the sling swivels which are unusually aligned to the right.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Full-length Mosin Nagant M91/30 rifles are also used by some Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mmR

A PLA soldier holds his rifle while in a Tibetan temple. Note the hex receiver which is a feature of pre-1936 manufactured Mosin Nagant rifles.

A column of PLA soldiers occupy the Tibetan capital city Lhasa.

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine

At the movie's end, some Chinese soldiers are seen with Mosin Nagant M44 Carbines with unfolded bayonets.

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR

Heinrich passing Chinese soldiers armed with the carbine.

The same soldiers hold their carbine at the ready.

Mauser Rifles

Some unknown Mauser rifles can be seen used by Tibetan militiamen and Chinese soldiers.

A KMT soldier with his slung Mauser rifle at the Chinese consulate.

Two PLA soldiers threaten two captured Tibetan Monks with their Mauser short rifles. These rifles have tangent-leaf rear sight and upper muzzle bands.