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Kundun (1997)

PG-13 | | Biography, Drama, History | 16 January 1998 (USA)
Kundun Poster
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.

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Writer:

Stars:

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Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Dalai Lama (Adult)
... Dalai Lama (Age 12)
... Dalai Lama (Age 5)
Tenzin Yeshi Paichang ... Dalai Lama (Aged 2)
Tencho Gyalpo ... Mother
Tenzin Topjar ... Lobsang (5-10)
Tsewang Migyur Khangsar ... Father
Tenzin Lodoe ... Takster
Geshi Yeshi Gyatso ... Lama of Sera
Losang Gyatso ... The Messenger (as Lobsang Gyatso)
Sonam Phuntsok ... Reting Rinpoche
Gyatso Lukhang ... Lord Chamberlain
Lobsang Samten ... Master of the Kitchen
Jigme Tsarong ... Taktra Rimpoche (as Tsewang Jigme Tsarong)
Tenzin Trinley ... Ling Rimpoche
See full cast »
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Storyline

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. Written by Deki

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

tibet | chinese | dalai lama | lama | tibetan | See All (172) »

Taglines:

The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violent images | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

| |

Release Date:

16 January 1998 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Кундун  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,095, 28 December 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,532,301, 29 March 1998
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This film is Martin Scorsese's first to earn a PG-13 rating from the MPAA. See more »

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. See more »

Quotes

Dalai Lama: Wisdom and compassion will set us free.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The Touchstone Pictures logo shown after the end credits is red. See more »

Connections

Featured in If We Picked the Winners (1998) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Enlightening
2 March 2006 | by – See all my reviews

I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to Martin Scorsese for making this extraordinary film. Especially in light of it's controversial content. Here is a story that must be told and is so remarkably entertaining while being so deeply informative that I hesitate to make any comments at all. Why why why has this director NOT received the recognition he so richly deserves for his work, especially with this epic that out "performs" any epic extant, including the likes of "Cleopatra" "The Godfather" and so on. Are awards for honest brilliant work politically motivated? This film may be the watermark for all ambitious film makers in the future. Keep it real.
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