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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
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English
Region 2
Region 2
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Directed by Martin Scorsese Kundun is a film written by Melissa Mathison which is based on the autobiographical writings of the current Dalai Lama. This is by some considered to be Scorsese's finest film, not in the least dut to some very fine acting by the various Dalai Lama actors, notably Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong as the adult Dalai Lama,and many more in the cast.
It is worth noting here that Scorsese and others from film production have been banned from China as a result of the film.
The script tells of the search for and the early life of the Dalai Lama (a reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama - believed to be an aspect of Buddha) and the political upheaval in which his reign was involved when Red China 'liberated' the country and so destroyed one of the most peaceloving and ethical societies on earth.
Informative, though at times a bit one-sided, this is history brought alive. As a contrast I suggest to watch 'The Last Emperor'. There are similarities in history played out by different players echoing one another.
It is worth noting here that Scorsese and others from film production have been banned from China as a result of the film.
The script tells of the search for and the early life of the Dalai Lama (a reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama - believed to be an aspect of Buddha) and the political upheaval in which his reign was involved when Red China 'liberated' the country and so destroyed one of the most peaceloving and ethical societies on earth.
Informative, though at times a bit one-sided, this is history brought alive. As a contrast I suggest to watch 'The Last Emperor'. There are similarities in history played out by different players echoing one another.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was very pleased to discover that this film wasnt the Scorcese dud some of the user comments and critics had suggested it to be. While I am no expert on Buddhism, I know enough about it to see how brilliantly Martin Scorcese and Melissa Mathison weaved the core philosophy into this tale of the Dalai Lama's formative years. They did it without succumbing to ostentation, sentimentality, or populist good vs evil film dramatics. And yet it showed us how human the child was--laughing as the monks meditated while a rat drank the ritual offerings; being frightened in the dark monastery; taking on the very great responsibility of leading a truly wise, noble and compassionate religion while being confronted by the threats of the modern world. I appreciated how they didnt portray the Chinese as simple villians--by including the scene where he dreams the army personnel are explaining to him why they embrace Mao's communism. And they also presented enough of the Buddhist ritual and way of life to show us how alien it is to western religions(the scene where they cut up the body for the vultures comes to mind), though they dont gloss it over by excluding comments about the Lama's isolation and loss of childhood or the corruption surrounding his first Regent. It was also quite moving to observe the devotion of his monks and people.
Scorcese really demonstrates here that he is a true film artist and master storyteller. I wholeheartedly concur with the commentator that compared this film to the Last Emperor--despite similar story frames and lengths, this motion picture doesnt drag at all. If this had been say, Steven Spielberg's project you would have expected to see some manipulative melodramatics and insincerity. And how can one not be impressed by the performances he got out of mostly non actors! That alone was amazing. The film maintained its pace from the early years to the Lama as an adult. From what little of the man I have seen on tv, his humor, and wisdom was conveyed remarkably well by Mathison's script and the actors chosen for the role.
Finally, his comment to the Indian guard near the end after being asked if he was the Lord Buddha--encapsulates the wisdom and the humility of its spiritual leader perfectly.
Scorcese really demonstrates here that he is a true film artist and master storyteller. I wholeheartedly concur with the commentator that compared this film to the Last Emperor--despite similar story frames and lengths, this motion picture doesnt drag at all. If this had been say, Steven Spielberg's project you would have expected to see some manipulative melodramatics and insincerity. And how can one not be impressed by the performances he got out of mostly non actors! That alone was amazing. The film maintained its pace from the early years to the Lama as an adult. From what little of the man I have seen on tv, his humor, and wisdom was conveyed remarkably well by Mathison's script and the actors chosen for the role.
Finally, his comment to the Indian guard near the end after being asked if he was the Lord Buddha--encapsulates the wisdom and the humility of its spiritual leader perfectly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Kundun (DVD) 1988
Does anybody know if this is available in Tibetan language.
The description says 'English Tibetan',
DVD itself doesn't show any options on 'Setup' for te Tibetan... Read more
The description says 'English Tibetan',
DVD itself doesn't show any options on 'Setup' for te Tibetan... Read more
Published 6 months ago by N. C. Sherpa
Brilliant Film
A truly heartwarming film. A true story charting the young Dalai Lama and the troubles he faced from a young child from the Chinese. It's a film I could etch again and again.
Published 8 months ago by Nigel Crane
A look into the life of the 14th Dalai Lama
I watched this film with great interest.I thought it was really well done and kept your attention. I am not good at sitting through a whole movie. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ms. Suzina L. Williamson
amazes after so many years
Certainly worth having in your collection. It is a truly remarkable masterpiece of the world cinema which doesn't fade with time. The quality of the dvd was perfect, too.
Published 16 months ago by amazonfly
Beautiful and moving
This film is an accurate telling of what happened to Tibet and the Dalai Lama - from the years when he was recognised as the 14th Dalai Lama to his exile to India. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mrs. D. M. Baillie
Brilliant!
This is an excellent movie about the young years of the dalai lama, and the early political decisions he had to make about China.
It is a brilliant movie !
It is a brilliant movie !
Published 20 months ago by Chocamousse
problem with seller
I never got to view this because they took my money and didn't even dispatch it! Had to cancel order about 3-4 weeks later because it still hadn't arrived.
Published 20 months ago by flo4
Wonderful movie
I'm a great admirer of HH the 14th Dalai Lama so was curious to see what this film would be like.
I'm pleased to say it's a wonderful experience, the cinematography is... Read more
I'm pleased to say it's a wonderful experience, the cinematography is... Read more
Published on 19 April 2009 by Ms. L. Valentine
Kundun
A good biographical and spiritual film of the 14th Dalai Lama from his discovery, early life and sadly his exile. A truly great film to watch. Big up for Tibet
Published on 16 Jan 2008 by Say Cool Man
Scorsese's least seen film-not as bad as you'd like to think!
Martin Scorsese's Kundun serves the gap between Casino and Bringing down the dead. Melissa Mathieson's screenplay was based on the early chapter of the 14th Dalai Lama's life from... Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2007 by I. Thomson
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