Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8653 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-04-01
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English, Tibetan
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 129 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
It would be a mistake to call Kundun a disappointment, or a film that director Martin Scorsese was not equipped to create. Both statements may be true to some viewers, but they ignore the higher purpose of Scorsese's artistic intention and take away from a film that is by any definition unique. In chronicling the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, Kundun defies conventional narrative in favour of an episodic approach, presenting a sequential flow of events from the life of the young leader of Buddhist Tibet. From the moment he is recognised as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1937 to his exile from Tibet in the wake of China's invasion, the Dalai Lama is seen as an enlightened spiritual figurehead. This gives the film its tone of serenity and reverence but denies us the privilege of admiring the Dalai Lama as a fascinating human character. There is a sense of mild detachment between the film and its audience, but its visual richness offers ample compensation. In close collaboration with cinematographer Roger Deakins, Scorsese filmed Kundun with great pageantry and ritual, and meticulous attention to details of costume, colour and the casting of actual Buddhist monks in the scenes at the Dalai Lama's palace. Certain images will linger in the memory for a long time, such as the Dalai Lama's nightmarish vision of standing among hundreds of dead monks, their lives sacrificed in pacifist defiance of Chinese aggression. Is this a film you will want to watch repeatedly? Perhaps not. But as a political drama and an elegant gesture of devotion, Kundun is a film of great value and inspirational beauty--one, after all, that perhaps only Scorsese could have made. --Jeff Shannon

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
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. Leaving his family behind in order to live in a monastery, he grows to manhood in spiritual isolation, sheltered from the influences of Western worldliness and the dangerous encroachment of the Chinese army, which invaded Tibet in 1950 and forced the Buddhist leaders into exile. Preaching peace and understanding among all people, the Dalai Lama eventually travels to China to meet Chairman Mao Tse Tung, to no avail. In a heartbreaking decision, the Dalai Lama must decide whether to remain in Tibet and fight for his people or flee his homeland and avert almost certain death.
Scorsese's obvious affection and dedication to the Tibetan leader shines through in every frame of the picture, which features stellar performances by its mostly nonprofessional cast. Adding infinite depth to the story are Roger Deakins's cinematography and Philip Glass's score, which earned both men Oscar nominations. Politics and religion aside, KUNDUN is filmmaking at its most profound and beautiful.

Customer Reviews

A good, solid biographical movie
This film is the story of the Dalai Lama, which takes us from the point of his discovery as a child to his arrival at the Indo-Tibetan border in 1959, about to begin his exile. It is a very well-made film all round, and evokes mid-20th century Tibet very convincingly and atmospherically. It even manages to avoid grossly misrepresenting Buddhism, which is quite an achievement for a Hollywood film. This is about as good a biographical film of the Dalai Lama as one could have hoped for, definitely worth watching.

Beautiful film
This is a beautiful film, in both style and subject matter. The scenes and cinematography are outstanding and the story of the Dalai Lama's early life and exile are fascinating to watch. This is a great place to go if you wish to learn about this turbulent time in Tibet and isn't too biased or 'Hollywood' either. Great!

Very very good, geniune moving
Very good and unusual film. Absolutely unHollywood and probably not suitable for (sadly) vast majority of public. If you want mindless action, silly love plot with another sex bomb, stupid jokes, patriotic slogans, sugary happy end etc- forget about this movie. It is all about human spirit, devotion, peace and inner awakening. Beautiful scenes and authentic surroundings just add to it. My deepest respect to director for doing this movie for rather spiritual than financial reasons as it was never going to be an another blockbuster. Masterpiece but for somebody with heart, brain and conciousness only.