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Poster for Kundun

Kundun

Seen it?

1997 | 134 min | Drama, History

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Darkest Hour or Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.

From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Nominated for 6 Oscars and 1 Golden Globe.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $6 million worldwide on a $28 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 233K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Martin Scorsese

  • Tenzin Thuthob TsarongDalai Lama (Adult)
  • Tencho GyalpoMother
  • Tsewang Migyur KhangsarFather
  • Gyurme TethongDalai Lama (Age 12)
  • Robert LinChairman Mao
  • Tulku Jamyang Kunga TenzinDalai Lama (Age 5)
  • Tenzin Yeshi PaichangDalai Lama (Aged 2)
  • Tenzin TopjarLobsang (5-10)
  • Tenzin LodoeTakster
  • Geshi Yeshi GyatsoLama of Sera