Kundun (1997)
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The film depicts the life and spiritual journey of the 14th Dalai Lama from his childhood to his eventual exile.
The story
The film begins in 1937 with the search for the 14th mindstream emanation of the Dalai Lama. After a vision by Reting Rinpoche, lamas discover a child born to a farming family in the province of Amdo. The child passes a series of tests to confirm his identity and is brought to Potala Palace in Lhasa to be installed as Dalai Lama. As the boy matures in age and learning, he begins taking an active role in governance and religious leadership. However, the Chinese communists begin to proclaim Tibet as a traditional part of Imperial China and express their desire to reincorporate it.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the life of the 14th Dalai Lama, starting with his identification as a child in Amdo. After passing tests to confirm his identity, he is taken to Lhasa. As he matures, he assumes leadership roles in Tibet's governance and religion. The narrative shifts as Chinese Communist forces invade Tibet, initially appearing helpful but becoming oppressive as Tibetans resist reorganization. Following atrocities, the Dalai Lama meets with Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing. Despite Mao's public sympathies, the meeting ends with Mao declaring religion a 'poison.' Upon returning to Tibet, the Dalai Lama learns of further horrors and guerrilla actions. Fearing for his life, he is convinced by his family to flee to India. Under the guidance of the Nechung Oracle, the Dalai Lama and his staff disguise themselves and escape Lhasa under cover of darkness. During an arduous journey pursued by Chinese forces, the Dalai Lama falls ill and experiences visions of a propitious trip and eventual return. They reach a mountain pass on the Indian border. The Dalai Lama is greeted by an Indian guard and delivers a final philosophical reflection before settling into his new residence, where he gazes toward the Himalayas.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 134
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English; Lhasa Tibetan; Mandarin Chinese
- Directors
- Martin Scorsese
- Writers
- Melissa Mathison · writer
- Cast and characters
- Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong · the adult Dalai Lama; Gyurme Tethong · the Dalai Lama (age 12); Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin · the Dalai Lama (age 5); Tenzin Yeshi Paichang · the Dalai Lama (age 2); Tenzin Topjar · Lobsang (age 5 to 10); Tsewang Migyur Khangsar · the Dalai Lama's father; Tenzin Lodoe · Takster Rinpoche, brother of the Dalai Lama; Robert Lin · Chairman Mao Zedong
- Genres
- biographical; drama; epic
- Themes
- spirituality; exile; religious freedom; cultural identity
- Tone and mood
- hauntingly beautiful; raptly serious; vastly ambitious; mystically abstract
- Setting
- Tibet, China, and India between 1937 and 1959
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical drama; historical drama; religious film; political drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- the life and writings of the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews but was limited in distribution by Disney to minimize damage to its relationship with the Chinese government, resulting in a low domestic gross.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 74 · scale: 100 · review count: 26
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Art Direction · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Cinematography · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Costume Design · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Original Score · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was released in only two theaters nationwide.; The movie inspired the writing of the 2008 song "Chinese Democracy" by Guns N' Roses.; The Dalai Lama was consulted for the film's set design.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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