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Kundun Reviews

1997

70
from 2429 members

Martin Scorsese's telling of the life story of the 14th Dalai Lama is a spiritual and deeply moving event. Barely able to walk, the young Tenzin Gyatso (played respectively by Tulku Jamyang Kung Tenzin, Gyurme Tethong, and Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong) is identified as the newly reincarnated form of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. .. Read more

Starring	Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
Director	Martin Scorsese
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of Kundun
View all critics' reviews (6)
- "...A stunning visual feast and a moving meditation on the difficulty of sustaining the Buddhist principle of nonviolence in a brutal world..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- 10147
- - Box Office
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Kundun
View all members' reviews (36)
- - 17
  - 0
  Absolutely wonderful
  
  I have seen this film several times, its one of those films you can watch over and over again.
  
  Kundun is the story of the 14th Dali Lama, the most ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 128938
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Stuart
  - Birmingham
  - 29 Jul 2005 at 13:34
Most recent members' reviews of Kundun
View all members' reviews (36)
- - 0
  - 2
  Important Story
  
  Beautifully shot with stunning score provided by Philip Glass but not sure how deep this film goes. The second half seems to drag a little to the inevitable ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1051296
- - buffyrules
  - 163 reviews
  - southend on sea
  - 14 Oct 2011 at 11:16
- - 0
  - 0
  Fanastic Movie
  
  Once in a while a film comes along that is very special - well, this is it. I wasn't sure what to expect, having seen the trailer, but I certainly wasn'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1030245
- - a customer
  - 17 Aug 2011 at 12:26
- - 0
  - 0
  Laid on Thick - But Sumptious and Faithful Buddhist Epic
  
  Kundun is not for everybody. A visually sumptious and faithful film based on the autobiography of the Dalai Lama. I loved it so much I watched it three times, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1007649
- - a customer
  - 20 Jun 2011 at 21:49
- - 0
  - 0
  excellent and enjoyable
  
  Excellent - thoroughly enjoyed this. Stunning scenery and sets. Careful casting and footage of genuine tibetan ceremonies. Will tibetans ever be allowed their ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 881843
- - Constantgardener
  - 5 reviews
  - Devon, UK
  - 10 Apr 2010 at 08:55
- - 0
  - 0
  They do not need to study The Method
  
  The power of this film owes something to an passionate attempt to tell the truth. You will recognise something of the story if you have read the Dalai Lama'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 784632
- - Boatthink
  - 76 reviews
  - Burton
  - 16 Jul 2009 at 00:14
- - 0
  - 0
  Kundun
  
  A very beautiful and moving film that captures the spiritual and political struggles that ended in H. H. Dalai Lama's flight from Tibet.
  
  Report this review
- 696887
- - a customer
  - Truro
  - 28 Jan 2009 at 12:21
- - 0
  - 0
  Kundun - Good experience
  
  A good movie but not one to get the friends together for. Watch this alone and help it change your views on life and love and decision making.
  
  Report this review
- 692152
- - a customer
  - London
  - 21 Jan 2009 at 09:19
- - 0
  - 0
  Excellent
  
  I found this film well worth watching. A definite must for those who like documentary type films and good ones at that. Enjoy!
  
  Report this review
- 689825
- - a customer
  - Barmouth
  - 17 Jan 2009 at 19:22
- - 0
  - 0
  sleepy
  
  Sorry, this just didn't hold my interest and it should've. Recommend Seven Years In Tibet over this one.
  
  Report this review
- 683033
- - a customer
  - Perth
  - 07 Jan 2009 at 15:54
- - 0
  - 0
  Interesting
  
  I wanted to see this film for ages and I was not disapointed. It tells the story in a gentle way, slowly making it's way through his life, but not too slow ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 654117
- - a customer
  - Ashford
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 15:53
View all members' reviews (36)

- - 17
  - 0
  Absolutely wonderful
  
  I have seen this film several times, its one of those films you can watch over and over again.
  
  Kundun is the story of the 14th Dali Lama, the most ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 128938
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Stuart
  - Birmingham
  - 29 Jul 2005 at 13:34
- - 7
  - 0
  Give peace a chance
  
  This is a remarkable film that illustrates beautifully the struggles of a nation and its people in an ever-changing world.
  
  The film charts the life ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 309348
- - mgee
  - glamorgan
  - 13 Sep 2004 at 09:58
- - 5
  - 0
  That Radio Times Review Misses The Point
  
  Okay, it's a biopic about the Dali Lama, but it's done by Scorcese and I found it to be quite an underrated little film. A story which I didn't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 232190
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 12 Apr 2006 at 19:21
- - 4
  - 3
  mellow movement
  
  if you expect a film that tells you all about buddhism, or the political events around chinas invasion of tibet, look elsewhere. If you think you'd enjoy a... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 58198
- - a customer
  - cardiff
  - 09 Dec 2004 at 10:30
- - 0
  - 0
  Wonderful
  
  A wonderful, satisfying experience. The acting, all amateur, most convincing, spectacular scenery, a fascinating story. Although non-religious I felt ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 107012
- - Ray
  - Northampton
  - 24 May 2005 at 14:36
- - 0
  - 0
  A BEAUTIFUL FILM!! BUT RATHER EMPTY!!
  
  The story about the incarnation of the 14th Dali Lama is; for the first 40 mins; a masterpiece. The last 40 mins isnt bad either but you are left with the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 137991
- - Gary Carmichael
  - Scotland
  - 09 Aug 2005 at 10:45
- - 0
  - 0
  Classic
  
  Well writte, directed and acted account of the life of the last Dalai Lama. I've seen this film several times. I personally believe its a modern classic.
  
  Report this review
- 263716
- - Melanie Bennet
  - Norwich, UK
  - 13 Jul 2006 at 09:58
- - 0
  - 0
  Unmissable!
  
  I have waited for this movie for a long time and, I am glad to say, it was worth the wait. Having watched "Seven Years in Tibet", this film was ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 295924
- - dvdrvw
  - W Yorks
  - 30 Nov 2003 at 18:12
- - 0
  - 0
  A kaleidoscope of colour
  
  This film is sensitive and very moving and beautiful to watch. It is full of rich colours and amazing compositions, its almost as if it was made by a painter... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 310371
- - KeylaJay
  - LONDON
  - 28 Sep 2004 at 20:56
- - 0
  - 0
  GoodBuddhas or Mean Peaks
  
  Well, I have to admit I just clicked this one because it was a Scorsese.
  
  So, what did I make of this epic biopic of the current Dali Lama?
  read more »
  
  Report this review
- 317931
- - Ned0
  - W.Yorks
  - 05 Jan 2005 at 19:44

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Critics' reviews
- "...A stunning visual feast and a moving meditation on the difficulty of sustaining the Buddhist principle of nonviolence in a brutal world..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- 10147
- - Box Office
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...A glittering historical pageant infused with gorgeous, pulsing music by Philip Glass....Composed of dazzling, beautifully framed imagery..."
- 10149
- - New York Times
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...A movie that uses its visual and aural palette to build something almost indescribable, revelatory and profoundly moving..."
- 10152
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- Scorsese's early life of the 14th Dalai Lama is the simplest and strangest movie he has yet made. An act of... read more on Time Out
- 44795
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
- "...[The film] eschews spectacle and puts the viewer inside Tibet, both physically and spiritually..."
- 10150
- - Premiere
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...Pageant-like....Hypnotic visual and sonic strength....A cinematic mandala..." -- Rating: B+
- 10148
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

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- Kundun
  
  Martin Scorsese's telling of the life story of the 14th Dalai Lama is a spiritual and deeply moving event. Barely able to walk, the young Tenzin Gyatso (played respectively by Tulku Jamyang Kung Tenzin, Gyurme Tethong, and Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong) is identified as the newly reincarnated form of His ...