Rating: 
Summary: Powerful, though somewhat distant
Review: There is an amazing scene in Kundun, where the Dalai Lama is leaving Tibet, getting into a boat that will commence his journey to refuge in India. The moon has backlit an impressive mountain range, beyond the water's edge, and there are still stars visible in the sky. As the boat drifts off, it looks like the Dalia Lama is floating into the stars beyond the mountains. This is one of many incredible images in this riviting film. I give Scorcese credit for using Tibetan actors (who turn out to be superb), and paying such meticulous attention to detail and visual imagery. My only concern is that the director has such reverence for the central character of this film, that he becomes somewhat distant -- a larger than life figure who is simply beyond the mortal lives that the rest of us live. Yet I have read that the Dalai Lama is anything but aloof to people around him -- full of humanity and with both feet planted solidly on the ground. Even so, this is a magnificent film, and it has a strong political message. After viewing it, one will be inspired to take the "next steps" and do such things as register protest with U.S. foreign policy that turns its head from the atrocities still going on in Tibet. Another step is to practice peaceful and harmonious living with those who are close by. Surely, a movie that inspires us to do such things is... GREAT.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful film for all
Review: I absolutely enjoyed this film on so many levels. First, the music by Phillip Glass is superb. Historically, this film is very true to life. Scorcese has made a film without equal. It is some of his best work. I watch this movie over and over, always finding something new in the story line.
Rating:
Summary: Kundun
Review: Awesome, it teaches some of the deep fundamentals of my goal in live. A true reality for those who are on their way to enlightment.
Rating:
Summary: How to Judge?
Review: Having read the previous 49 reviews, what can I add? There are maybe three ways to review a film: on craft (how the film medium is used), on content (is this story worth telling?), and for a "true story" film, is it true? If you are a student of film (officially or not) and know something about Scorsese, you MUST see this film. Very, very few films since the invention of "talkies" have used the medium as brilliantly. Mathison's script, Glass' music, Deakins' cinematography, the incredible amateur acting: On the craft score, this is Scorsese's greatest work. The story of a young boy raised to be the spiritual - and forced to be the political - leader of his country may not attract everyone. There's nothing for it: that is the storyline of one of the greatest films ever made. As for "true stories," one reviewer compared Scorsese to David Lean, who made "Lawrence of Arabia." As a lifelong student of history and cinema, I can say that all "true stories" must compress events and characters, must make one incident or one dialog stand for many, and that all must be colored by the historical viewpoint of their tellers. Both David Lean and Martin Scorsese have clearly tried to capture their subjects sincerely and represent "truth" with all their skill and within the limits of their medium. Scorsese has let the Tibetans tell this story through him. Buddhists can usually be counted on for greater than average objectivity. From everything I have read and all I have talked to about Lawrence and about Tibet, Scorcese has done a far better job of representing history than Lean. If you have any interest in film or Tibet, see this in widescreen. It will almost certainly be the best film about the Dalai Lama ever to be made.
Rating:
Summary: A story that needed telling !
Review: I have seen "Kundun" I do not know how many times! And I never tire of it and I experience something new everytime! This was a story that needed to be told- too bad that only now someone has taken an interest in telling it! This movie is visually stunning and the Tibetan actors and powerful music bring this story all together in an incredible, intense, emotional journey. If you are looking for a history lecture on Tibet or Buddism- forget it! This movie is told from the Tibetans veiw point- I do not think there could be a better way to experience and try to understand what the Dalai Lama and Tibetan people must have experienced and felt than to watch this movie, masterfully done by Mr. Scorsese. I also HIGHLY recommend seeing "In Search Of Kundun" the telling of how this movie came to be made and how it was made. It goes beyond just the movie, but gets into the Tibetan people's emotions in being able to FINALLY tell their story their way! Martin may have made this movie possible and made it a beautiful masterpiece, but the Tibetan people TOLD IT, their way! Martin allowed them to tell their story as only they could- how could he interpet THEIR story? Martin is a genius! These Tibetan "actors" were not even really actors, they are the people of this beautiful and mysterious country! On screen You can just feel the joy and pain they really felt when making this movie. This is not just a movie this is a peek into a secret world and what they had to experienced all alone! This movie builds up and the last 20 minutes are the most beautiful and emotional I have yet to experience in a "movie".
Rating:
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: I saw this movie and was stunned by it. Those who critisize it do not realize what the film is trying to do.It is not trying to explain the inner political workings of the Tibetan religion and government. It is the spirtual journey of the Dali Lama untill the time he leaves Tibet.The film has also been critcised for concentrating more on the visual than character side of the story. This again is not an accident. The beautiful cinematography and music all help in telilng the spiritual journey of the Dali Lama.Many also found this confusing, with art being used over content but isn't that what 2001 does?
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Film!
Review: To me and many other people, Kundun is a wonderful movie; another wonder from Scorsese! But I also know that many people don't like it just because they don't understand any of it and they're just so confused. Kundun is the wonderful true story of Tibet's Dalai Lama, and about his rule, and with the Chinese taking over Tibet and forcing the Dalai Lama to flee his country. Some parts of the Chinese take-over can be very sad and a little disturbing (such as the part when the Chinese soldiers force the children to kill their parents). But Kundun is truly a beautiful film and anyone who knows anything about Buddhism or about Tibet will love this film! But I do suggest that those who don't know anything about Tibet that they may want to watch maybe watch the first 45 minutes or hour and decide if they understand it so far! Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps I expected too much, but....
Review: I didn't find this very informative or compelling. The film never really explains the nature of Tibetian government, the rule of the Dalai Lama, what made it unique, etc. It's take on Buddhism is simplistic. At one point His Holiness is asked to recite the Four Noble Truths. Geez, I would've thought they would get past that after a week or so (and he makes the common Western error of translating the first noble truth as "suffering" instead of "sorrowful impermanence" or a like phrase). In a "dramatic" moment, he is asked who he is on crossing the Indian border, and he says: "the moon on the water." It comes off as a Buddhist cliche. If you aren't familiar with the story of Tibet, its history, and the actions of the Chinese already, this won't inform you. The film is stunning visually, but I am somewhat tired of the MTV approach to filmmaking: if it's a good image, use it, regardless of whether it fits in the story or informs the viewer of needed information.
Rating: 
Summary: Kundun Kudos
Review: After making Casino-one of the most disappointing flicks of his stellar career-wasn't it about time Scorcese turned his sights back to more serious, weighty matters. Kundun's plot is unconventional by Hollywood standards and might be just plain boring to those expecting a gory Asian massacre. But like Scorcese's shamefully unseen The Last Temptation of Christ, Kundun brings a human touch to a worshipped man-our sympathies extend beyond mere reverence. While it fails to completely unravel the core character of the Dalai Lama, it brings awareness to the beauty and the suffering of one of the most tragic and tranquil lives of this century.
Rating:
Summary: A most touching true story, one of the best I have seen!
Review: It was definitely the best film of the year and brought to light the struggle of a nation that many people know nothing about. It reaches into your heart and soul and makes you wonder how people can treat one another in such a terrible way. Shows the real China with its government as it still exist today, a must see for anyone interested in human rights.
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