i read the book 7 year in tibet from heinrich harrer and be fascinate of it . then i immediately grab the dvd and start to watch the movie . i remember the first time i saw it back in 98 and i kinda like it . well and now i watch it again in full knowledge of the book it be base on . and soon i realize how wrong it all be tell representwhen they enter lhasa the people start to stick their tongue out of their mouth and thewlis and pitt have the impression that it the way to say hello in tibet and so they greet back . in the book harrer explains and that stick the tongue out be a sign of absolute humbleness and loyalty in tibet and they may do it in front of the dalai lama but certainly not for these two european . not only the mother but even the dalai lama himself be wear glass in the public . in the book harrer mention and that no one in tibet wore glass to that time ( sorry forget the reason and but it explain in the book too ) . the young dalai lama do and but only when he be alone and nobody could see him . and what about that mao tse tung lookalike and destroy the mandala in front of the young living buddha . childish . and the tailor make harrer and aufschnaiter tibetan clothe not european designer suit . why be so many event that really happen eliminate from the story and just to fill the time with a fictional love interest ( the female tailor . ) that be completely unimportant . just like the whole story about harrers son and rolf . not one word be mention about him or even any family member of harrer in the book . but that be ok for me because 7 year in tibet be not a book about harrers person . it about tibet . i be very disappointed by this adaption of the famous book . and i bet heinrich harrer be and too . 3 star and just for the cinematography .