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 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
Chemchok Garpon's Agent
Tenzin Jangchub Declaration Monk Official (as Ven. Tenzin Jangschub)
Angphurba Sherpa Tibetan General (as Major Angphurba Sherpa)
Tsering Wangdue Burly Guide
Yama Ngudup Cheshatsang Burly Guide
Kalsang Dhundop Lungtok Vendor Ice-Skates
Sonam Bidhartsang Jacket Vendor
Lama Champa Tsondu Watch Vendor
Geshe Lobsang Nyma Ling Rinpoche
Geshe Yeshi Tsultrim Trijang Rinpoche
Lama Champa Chandu Dalai Lama's Room Attendant
Pemba Norbu Sherpa Young Sherpa
Karma Apo-Tsang Messenger to Great Mother
Ngawang Tenzingyatso Jokhang Monk Official (as Ven. Ngawang Tenzin Gyatso)
Choeden Tsering Military Instructor
Lama Jampa Lekshe Monk Head of Security
Lama Thupten Nugdup Head of Security's Aide
Daniel Tedeschi Marchese
Gerardo Ebert Horst Immerhof
Sebastian Zevalia Younger Rolf Harrer
Philipp Kriechbaum Older Rolf Harrer
Lobsang Gendun Rinpoche Tibetan
Tenzin Gyaltsen Rinpoche Tibetan
Sharpa Tulku Rinpoche Tibetan
Zongra Tulku Rinpoche Tibetan