Seven Years in Tibet Page #2

- Open the charts. Turn around.

- All right.

Keep your back to the gate.

Open the charts!

Keep talking. Wait for my signal.

We are clear. Okay.

Open the gates!

See to this. Open the gates!

I'm going off on my own.

So, good luck.

First escape from prison camp,

November 18, 1939.

Rolf Harrer--

three and a half months old.

My 30th birthday, July 6, 1941.

Rolf Harrer-- exactly one year,

Last escape from Dehra Dun.

Rolf Harrer--

Take two and sleep it off.

I'll send you a bill in the morning.

What are you doing here?

I missed you so much, Heinrich.

I thought I'd pay you a visit.

What about the others?

The Italians were caught outside Nelang.

Lutz and Hans got sick

and had to turn back.

- Sorry to hear that.

- I'm sure you're heartbroken.

May I impose upon your generous nature

and camp here tonight?

Be my guest.

Thank you.

It is very gracious of you.

- Good.

- What else do you have in there?

A ten-piece orchestra?

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 difficulty

catching up with them.

I don't care if they're repelled

all the way back to Tokyo.

You should if you want

to get back to Austria.

- But I don't.

- Don't what?

- Plan to go back.

- Why not?

No particular reason.

But when you get there,

tell my wife that...

...two years in prison camp is roughly

equivalent to four years of marriage.

And I'm glad to be free of them both.

I'm not going back either,

not until this shameful war is over.

- And where are you headed?

- Tibet.

Then on to China,

see if I can find some work there.

And you?

By my calculations, the Chinese border

is 2,058 kilometers away.

Tibet is 68.

It's a long way to travel

with such a heavy load.

No, just full of food.

- Precisely.

- Mine.

That's too bad.

Those mountains are treacherous.

There are glaciers to be crossed.

If you had roped up to me,

I could have kept you alive.

Considering your performance

the last time we roped up...

...I think I'm safer without you.

Of course.

But I think you are wrong about

that Tibetan border calculation.

By my measurements,

it is 65 kilometers.

Care to wager a kilo of food on that?

All you've got is some

stale crackers, Heinrich.

But I'm right. I'll win.

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.

There it is.

Tibet.

- Exactly 68 kilometers.

- Congratulations.

Unfortunately, you've eaten

all your winnings.

Yes.

Just smile and say yes.

It's better that way.

It's amazing what you learn

in prison, isn't it?

Tibet.

- No foreigners allowed in Tibet.

- Oh, please!

No foreigner!

No foreigner!

Oh, please!

Yes. Thank you.

Yes. Of course.

No translation needed.

Some people are glad to see us.

Don't let it get to your head, Heinrich.

When the Tibetans clap hands, it means

they are driving out evil forces.

We need to find food.

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?

Yes, but you must understand

we're not here to threaten or harm.

We just need food,

and then we'll be on our--

His Excellency, the Garpon.

Your Eminence, we're happy to see you.

We wanted to apologize.

Apologize.

And give you this really special gift.

Please, from us.

Long live the Dalai Lama,

His Holiness.

Thank you for the picture.

Go back to India!

Two days into Tibet's western frontier

and we are graciously kicked out.

Our guides have strict orders

to escort us...

...to the Indian border

some 40 kilometers away...

...and to shoot us

if we attempt escape.

Must mean hello.

As long as they don't try to kiss me.

We have to stock up. I'm broke.

Don't look at me.

We have to eat, Peter.

Know what time it is?

It is not negotiable.

No, no, no, no.

My father gave it to me

when I climbed Mount Blanc.

Everyone's climbed Mount Blanc, Peter.

If I had a watch like this,

I would trade it.

- Where did you get this jacket?

- North Tibet.

Communism soldier come from China.

Very nice.

They give food, money. Very nice.

Communism soldier.

You like military uniforms, yes?

I have German army boots.

For you. Yes?

German army boots.

Wait.

Give me these, for the guards.

Look!

Like this. You like?

Beendin mi?

Very good. They're tough.

My friend, shall I show you

how German soldiers march?

You must make this face.

Come!

Yes.

Stop! Stop!

Excellent, excellent. Yes.

You, with practice.

Now, I will show you

how German soldiers run.

Stand, stand like this.

Like this.

Yes. Stand, stand.

Guess what?

All clear.

Know what time it is?

You think I'm so happy

to be traveling with you...

...I should foot the bill?

You are such a big man

you don't need to contribute.

You have a problem, Peter?

Remind me...

...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!

This is junk

from some Italian prisoners.

I don't give a sh*t!

Haven't you ever heard of a principle?

What principle? What?

You want a watch?

Go ahead. Pick one.

- And keep your principles.

- Look at you! Look at you!

Caught being a selfish brat

and you're gloating!

You're acting like an old woman,

Peter. What do you want?

Try apologizing.

Try feeling a little remorse.

And if all else fails,

try wiping that smirk off your face!

Take your stinking watch and shut up!

I don't need another boring sermon from

some frustrated glorified tour guide.

No wonder you are always alone.

No one can stand your miserable company.

Please, take them.

It was wrong of me to hide them.

- Keep this.

- No. No.

I didn't deserve it either.

Go ahead.

He'll be three and a half years old now.

Pretty soon, she'll tell him

I was lost in the Himalayas.

Which is fine?

Why?

Better a dead father

than a lousy father?

Write him a letter.

Let him know you're still alive.

New York.

Venice.

- Paris.

- Your Holiness, where are you?

It is time for your lesson.

Your Holiness, where are you?

It is time for your lesson.

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--

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