Overview
A spiritual journey through the eyes of a young leader facing exile and oppression.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- reverent
- contemplative
- mystical
- reflective evening
- arthouse movie night
What critics said
Critics generally praised the film's extraordinary cinematography, production design, costumes, and Philip Glass score while finding its episodic, reverential storytelling emotionally distant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Dalai Lama's selection, religious education, visions, and leadership are presented with reverence and mystical imagery.
Roger Deakins's cinematography uses pristine compositions, vivid color, mandalas, mountains, and surreal tableaux to evoke sacred art.
The Dalai Lama's escape from Tibet to India and continuing life in Dharamsala define the film's central emotional trajectory.
Philip Glass's distinctive electronic music binds together the film's episodes, silences, dreams, and political upheaval.
Films like Kundun, and why
Seven Years in Tibet
shared historical biography, spiritual seriousness, political oppression, and visually composed period drama
The Last Temptation of Christ
shared epic historical scope, religious themes, contemplative pacing, and painterly cinematography
Gandhi
shared biographical storytelling, anti-authoritarian themes, solemn tone, and emphasis on visual symbolism
The Mission
shared historical displacement, cultural conflict, spiritual themes, and meditative visual style
Movie Details
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Release Date
- 1997-12-25
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (514)
Cast
- Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
- Tencho Gyalpo
- Tsewang Migyur Khangsar
- Gyurme Tethong
- Robert Lin
- Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
- Tenzin Yeshi Paichang
- Tenzin Topjar
- Tenzin Lodoe
- Geshi Yeshi Gyatso
Common questions
- What is Kundun about?
- A visually transcendent portrait of the young Dalai Lama confronting spiritual destiny and the destruction of his Tibetan homeland.
- What is Kundun like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kundun as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Kundun violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Kundun as moderate.
- What did critics think of Kundun?
- Critics generally praised the film's extraordinary cinematography, production design, costumes, and Philip Glass score while finding its episodic, reverential storytelling emotionally distant.
- Which films are like Kundun?
- Films with a similar feel include Seven Years in Tibet, The Last Temptation of Christ, Gandhi, and The Mission.
- How long is Kundun?
- Kundun runs 134 minutes.
