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Kundun

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
28K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Kundun (1997)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:16
1 Video
50 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History

From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.

IMDb RATING
7.0/10
28K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Melissa Mathison
  • Stars
    • Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
    • Gyurme Tethong
    • Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Martin Scorsese
  • Writer
    • Melissa Mathison
  • Stars
    • Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
    • Gyurme Tethong
    • Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 140User reviews
    • 75Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 7 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 1:16
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos50

    Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin in Kundun (1997)
    Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong in Kundun (1997)
    Gyurme Tethong in Kundun (1997)
    Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin in Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)
    Kundun (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
    Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
    • Dalai Lama (Adult)as Dalai Lama (Adult)
    Gyurme Tethong
    Gyurme Tethong
    • Dalai Lama (Age 12)as Dalai Lama (Age 12)
    Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
    Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
    • Dalai Lama (Age 5)as Dalai Lama (Age 5)
    Tenzin Yeshi Paichang
    • Dalai Lama (Aged 2)as Dalai Lama (Aged 2)
    Tencho Gyalpo
    • Motheras Mother
    Tenzin Topjar
    • Lobsang (5-10)as Lobsang (5-10)
    Tsewang Migyur Khangsar
    • Fatheras Father
    Tenzin Lodoe
    • Taksteras Takster
    Geshi Yeshi Gyatso
    • Lama of Seraas Lama of Sera
    Losang Gyatso
    • The Messengeras The Messenger
    • (as Lobsang Gyatso)
    Sonam Phuntsok
    • Reting Rinpocheas Reting Rinpoche
    Gyatso Lukhang
    • Lord Chamberlainas Lord Chamberlain
    Lobsang Samten
    • Master of the Kitchenas Master of the Kitchen
    Jigme Tsarong
    • Taktra Rimpocheas Taktra Rimpoche
    • (as Tsewang Jigme Tsarong)
    Tenzin Trinley
    • Ling Rimpocheas Ling Rimpoche
    Namgay Dorjee
    • Kashagas Kashag
    • (as Ngawang Dorjee)
    • …
    Phintso Thonden
    • Kashagas Kashag…
    Chewang Tsering Ngokhang
    • Layman #1as Layman #1
    • Director
      • Martin Scorsese
    • Writer
      • Melissa Mathison
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since. —Deki
    • dalai lama
    • buddha
    • buddhism
    • slaughter
    • mao tse tung
    • 162 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
      • War
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for violent images
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Martin Scorsese, writer Melissa Mathison and her then husband Harrison Ford were added to the list of over 50 people banned from entering Tibet because of this film.
    • Goofs
      When the young boy is first being tested, he is presented with several pairs of objects to choose between. When it comes to choosing between two bowls, he picks up the bowl on the right and examines it. When he places the bowl back on the table, he has the bowl on the left in his hand.
    • Quotes

      Indian: Are you the Lord Buddha?

      Dalai Lama: I believe I am a reflection, like the moon on water. When you see me, and I try to be a good man, you see yourself.

    • Crazy credits
      The Touchstone Pictures logo shown after the end credits is red.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Tomorrow Never Dies/Mousehunt/As Good as it Gets/Kundun/Oscar and Lucinda (1997)

    User reviews140

    Review
    Top review
    Beautiful and eye-opening...
    Kundun was beautifully done, adding true portrayals of the practices of the Tibetan Buddhists - their chants, artwork, dances and costumes. Also, Philip Glass did a wonderful job with the soundtrack- combining the sound of damarus, ghantas, conch-shells and mantras with his own unique sound. Unlike Seven Years in Tibet, Kundun concentrates on the plight of Tibet through the life of the Dalai Lama. This perspective allows for the audience to realize the ideals and morals that define the people of Tibet, through the eyes and life experiences of their own chosen leader. Focusing on a character other than the Dalai Lama allows for too many distractions within the plot of the movie, especially when the script for Kundun was taken from a biography of His Holiness. This film employs most of the senses in order to allow the audience a fuller understanding of the Dalai Lama, his people, and their struggle against the Chinese. Kundun may be lengthy, but it is well worth the time.
    helpful•4
    0
    • ford.226
    • Jan 4, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 1998 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Monaco
      • Morocco
    • Languages
      • English
      • Tibetan
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • 達賴的一生
    • Filming locations
      • Atlas Mountains, Morocco
    • Production companies
      • De Fina-Cappa
      • Dune Films
      • Refuge Productions Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,684,789
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $72,095
      • Dec 28, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,684,789
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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