Kundun
Movie, 1997, The '90s, Set in Tibet
Kundun is #16 of 26 in release order and #16 of 26 in chronological order in the Martin Scorsese.
The story
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.
Kundun recap
Kundun (1997) follows the 14th Dalai Lama from his discovery as a small boy in eastern Tibet in 1937 to his escape into exile in India in 1959. Martin Scorsese directs from Melissa Mathison's script, and Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, a grandnephew of the real Dalai Lama, plays him as an adult. Lamas following a vision find a farmer's son in Amdo who picks out the belongings of the previous Dalai Lama, and the boy is taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa to be raised and taught. As he grows up he takes on leadership of the country, after the regent Reting is imprisoned and dies. Then the new People's Republic of China claims Tibet and invades. The Dalai Lama appeals abroad without success and travels to Beijing to meet Chairman Mao, who tells him that religion is poison. Back home he hears of more atrocities against his people. The cast is made up of Tibetan non-actors, and Philip Glass wrote the score. Kundun follows Casino and precedes Bringing Out the Dead.
Kundun ending explained
Kundun ends with the Dalai Lama reaching India. After being told the Chinese mean to kill him, he consults the Nechung Oracle, disguises himself and slips out of Lhasa at night, falling ill on the hard journey through the mountains. At the border a guard asks if he is the Lord Buddha, and he answers that he is a reflection, like the moon on water. In exile he sets up his telescope and looks toward Tibet. A closing title says he has not yet returned.
Post-credits scenes
No. Kundun has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Ratings
IMDb 7.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 76%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Casino, before Bringing Out the Dead.
- Chronological order: after Casino, before Bringing Out the Dead.
Cast
- Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong as Dalai Lama (Adult)
- Tencho Gyalpo as Mother
- Tsewang Migyur Khangsar as Father
- Gyurme Tethong as Dalai Lama (Age 12)
- Robert Lin as Chairman Mao
- Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin as Dalai Lama (Age 5)
- Tenzin Yeshi Paichang as Dalai Lama (Aged 2)
- Tenzin Topjar as Lobsang (5-10)
- Tenzin Lodoe as Takster
- Geshi Yeshi Gyatso as Lama of Sera
- Losang Gyatso as The messenger
- Sonam Phuntsok as Reting Rinpoche
Directed by Martin Scorsese.