
Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Lhasa, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.

Brad Pitt
Heinrich Harrer

Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk
Dalai Lama, 14 Years Old

David Thewlis
Peter Aufschnaiter

BD Wong
Ngawang Jigme

Mako
Kungo Tsarong

Lhakpa Tsamchoe
Pema Lhaki

Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
Ingrid Harrer

Duncan Fraser
British Officer

Danny Denzongpa
Regent

Victor Wong Chi-Keung
Chinese 'Amban'

Jetsun Pema
Great Mother

Ama Ashe Dongtse
Tashi
Sonam Wangchuk
Dalai Lama, 8 Years Old
Dorjee Tsering
Dalai Lama, 4 Years Old

Ric Young
General Chang Jing Wu
Ngawang Chojor
Lord Chamberlain (as Ven. Ngawang Chojor)

Benedick Blythe
Nazi Official
Tom Raudaschl
Lutz Chicken
Wolfgang Tonninger
Hans Lobenhoffer
Samdup Dhargyal
The Garpon
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Becky Johnston
Released