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Kundun

Play trailer Poster for Kundun PG-13 1997 2h 14m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
76% Tomatometer 62 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1937, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy from a simple family in Tibet was recognized as the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion, and destined to become the spiritual and political leader of his people. Director Martin Scorsese brings to the screen the true story of the Dalai Lama. Told through the eyes of His Holiness, Kundun brings to life the account of the Dalai Lama's early life, from childhood through the Chinese invasion of Tibet and his journey into exile.
Kundun

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Hallucinatory but lacking in characterization, Kundun is a young Dalai Lama portrait presented as a feast of sight and sound.

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Critics Reviews

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Mike Clark USA Today Jan 9, 2018
3/4
The film is, in many ways, a remarkable achievement but also a singularly undynamic entry in the director's canon. Go to Full Review Jason Bailey Vice Dec 15, 2017
It's not exactly 'Goodfellas.' But it's not every filmmaker who can create works as divergent as 'Goodfellas' and 'Kundun,' either. Go to Full Review David Edelstein Slate Feb 1, 2010
The music ties together all the pretty pictures, gives the narrative some momentum, and helps to induce a kind of alert detachment, so that you're neither especially interested nor especially bored. Go to Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jul 12, 2025
It’s fascinating to see how Scorsese explores the Dalai Lama’s faith...reckoning his steadfast belief in non-violence with the encroaching non-religious, unapologetically brutal forces that approach Tibet in the wake of World War II. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 10, 2019
2.5/4
Mesmerizing as visual pageantry but anemic when it comes to allowing access to this man or his religion. Go to Full Review Pico Iyer The New York Review of Books Aug 17, 2018
The effect is to make one feel as if one is seeing Tibet's recent history through the Dalai Lama's eyes. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Javier P @Javichuu_ Feb 11, 2026 I first watched this movie when I was about 10 years old, at first I didn't understand much of it. I rewatched it a few days ago and it is a beautiful movie. It captures the essence of tibetan budhhism and you can really tell its made by Martin Scorsese. Absolute amazing scenery and meaning, in my opinion, a must watch movie. Very sad that its forbidden in China. See more Dave K @RT44728818 Oct 14, 2025 Wow!! That’s beautiful and the movie is forbidden in china? what a shame See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 11, 2025 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Goose R @rodrigug Jun 20, 2025 Biopic of the 14th Dalai Lama from his a little boy up to his exile to India. Pretty interesting but the film does not explain a lot of the customs that are portrayed on the film. Still pretty interesting story 🍿🍿🍿🍿/5 on YouTube See more Antonella P @RT04784125 Aug 23, 2024 A beautiful, somber meditation on impermanence, the inexorability of change, and the disruptive effects of the violence of material power against spiritual wisdom. Kundun follows the 14th Dalai Lama from his childhood to his escape to India in 1959. See more Ewa K @ewaewaewaewaewaewaewa Jan 28, 2024 An overlooked movie that time has left behind. China wants you to forget about it. Do not help China to reach there goal. Watch it! See more Read all reviews
Kundun

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Cast & Crew

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Martin Scorsese

Director

Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong

Dalai Lama (Adult)

Gyurme Tethong

Dalai Lama (Aged 10)

Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin

Dalai Lama (Aged 5)

Tenzin Yeshi Paichang

Dalai Lama (Aged 2)

Tencho Gyalpo

Dalai Lama's Mother

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Kundun

Kundun (1997) Kundun (1997) Kundun (1997) Kundun (1997) Kundun (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1937, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy from a simple family in Tibet was recognized as the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion, and destined to become the spiritual and political leader of his people. Director Martin Scorsese brings to the screen the true story of the Dalai Lama. Told through the eyes of His Holiness, Kundun brings to life the account of the Dalai Lama's early life, from childhood through the Chinese invasion of Tibet and his journey into exile.
Director
Martin Scorsese
Producer
Barbara De Fina
Screenwriter
Melissa Mathison
Distributor
Touchstone Pictures
Production Co
Refuge Productions Inc., Touchstone Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, De Fina-Cappa
Rating
PG-13 (Violent Images)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 6, 1997, Wide
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 13, 1998
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.7M
Runtime
2h 14m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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