Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Kundun (1997)
Kundun
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 26 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
Kundun (1997) -- From childhood until adulthood, Tibet's 14th dalai lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.
Kundun (1997) -- From childhood until adulthood, Tibet's 14th dalai lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   9,075 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 16% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Martin Scorsese
Writer (WGA):
Melissa Mathison (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Kundun on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 December 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama more
Tagline:
The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy. more
Plot:
From childhood until adulthood, Tibet's 14th dalai lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(18 articles)
Daniel Day-Lewis to Drink Scorsese’s Sake
 (From Ugo MovieBlog. 2 February 2009, 1:18 PM, PST)

Daniel Day-Lewis to Drink Scorsese’s Sake
 (From Ugo MovieBlog. 2 February 2009, 1:18 PM, PST)

User Comments:
You can not liberate me, only I can liberate myself... more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong ... Dalai Lama (Adult)
Gyurme Tethong ... Dalai Lama (Age 12)
Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin ... 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 Rimpoche
Gyatso Lukhang ... Lord Chamberlain
Lobsang Samten ... Master of the Kitchen
Jigme Tsarong ... Taktra Rimpoche (as Tsewang Jigme Tsarong)
Tenzin Trinley ... Ling Rimpoche
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for violent images.
Runtime:
134 min
Country:
USA
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | SDDS
Company:
De Fina-Cappa more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Filming in Tibet was not possible; Morocco was used instead. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Kundun is dreaming that he is surrounded by monks slaughtered by the Chinese, the "dead" monk closest to him moves his eyelids. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Holiday (2006) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 16 people found the following comment useful:-
You can not liberate me, only I can liberate myself..., 6 December 2006
9/10
Author: David H. Schleicher from New Jersey, USA

"Kundun" is Martin Scorsese's most underrated film. It's something quite fantastic to watch such an amazing film about the early years of the Dalai Lama and the plight of Tibetan Buddhists knowing that it comes from a man who has long wrestled with his own religious ghosts (witness the still hotly debated conundrum that is his "Last Temptation of Christ"). With probably only "The Age of Innocence" to compare to in Scorsese's now hallowed canon, "Kundun" is a breathtaking work of art--visually sumptuous (with beautiful work from cinematographer Roger Deakins), hauntingly transcendental, and deeply symbolic.

As an outsider looking in, Scorsese manages to create an intimate level of detail that someone who lives and breathes Buddhism might have overlooked. Many rituals and practices are presented exactly as they are with no attempts to explain their purpose or translate their meaning to Western culture. This allows them to keep their rich symbolism, which translates perfectly to Scorsese's visual palette. From the rich colors of meditative sand art to the bright red blood spilled during China's unlawful occupation of Tibet, everything takes on a deeper meaning that leaves much to the imagination and higher mind.

Wisely, Scorsese follows the same template of Richard Attenborough's equally resonating Oscar winning epic "Ghandi" by adapting a straight forward approach to his presentation of the Dalai Lama's most tumultuous years. Except for a few dreamlike vision sequences, he stays mostly out of the man's head, and instead shows his power through his actions and dedication to his people and the practice of non-violence. "Kundun" is as near perfect a biopic as one can make.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Kundun (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
There Will Never Be A Free Tibet! lobster_jesus
Is this the film... Dark_Knight_89
Fast edits pirate266
Tiber SickBoyo
Chinese Democracy partly based off of this movie.. antman2590
kundun for criterion? gooner26
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Seven Years in Tibet Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion Angry Monk: Reflections on Tibet 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama Fate of the Lhapa
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.