Kundun
“The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy.”
Synopsis
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Kundun Theatrical Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2008-04-11
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong
Dalai Lama (Adult)
Tencho Gyalpo
Mother
Tsewang Migyur Khangsar
Father
Gyurme Tethong
Dalai Lama (Age 12)
Robert Lin
Chairman Mao
Tulku Jamyang Kunga Tenzin
Dalai Lama (Age 5)
Tenzin Yeshi Paichang
Dalai Lama (Aged 2)
Tenzin Topjar
Lobsang (5-10)
Tenzin Lodoe
Takster
Geshi Yeshi Gyatso
Lama of Sera
Losang Gyatso
The messenger
Sonam Phuntsok
Reting Rinpoche
Gyatso Lukhang
Lord Chamberlain
Losang Samten
Master of the Kitchen
Jigme Tsarong
Taktra Rimpoche
Tenzin Trinley
Ling Rimpoche
Namgay Dorjee
Kashag/Nobleman #1
Phintso Thonden
Kashag/Nobleman #2
Release History & Theatrical Window
New York City, New York
Festival / Special Debut
December 25, 1997
Wide Cinema Exhibition
September 6, 2007
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$28M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$5.7M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
0.2x
-$22.3M deficit
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Martin Scorsese
- Screenplay & Story
- Melissa Mathison
- Original Score
- Philip Glass
- Original Title
- Kundun
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Mandarin, Tibetan
- Runtime
- 2h 14m
- Production Budget
- $28M
- Worldwide Gross
- $5.7M
- Production Studios
- Touchstone Pictures, Cappa/De Fina Productions, Refugee Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Martin Scorsese
Melissa Mathison
Philip Glass
Roger Deakins
Thelma Schoonmaker
Barbara De Fina, Laura Fattori
Department Leadership Roster
Martin Scorsese
Director
Melissa Mathison
Screenplay
Barbara De Fina
Producer
Roger Deakins
Director of Photography
Philip Glass
Original Music Composer
Thelma Schoonmaker
Editor
Dante Ferretti
Production Design
Dante Ferretti
Costume Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Kundun.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Kundun.
Watched Movies
Essential Drama
My Movies
Master List In Progress
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1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (All editions 2003-2024). A cumulative list including films subsequently removed in later editions. Totaling 1,260 films as of Nov 2024. 《1001部死前必看的电影》（2003-2024 全版本累积版）： 包含自2003年首版至2024年11月德语版修订的所有影片。即使在后期版本中被剔除的电影也予以保留。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#019] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#418] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:40:36 UTC+8)*
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kundun
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Kundun about?
From childhood to adulthood, Tibet's fourteenth Dalai Lama deals with Chinese oppression and other problems.
Who directed Kundun?
Kundun was directed by Martin Scorsese.
Who stars in Kundun?
The principal cast of Kundun includes Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Tencho Gyalpo, Tsewang Migyur Khangsar, Gyurme Tethong, Robert Lin.
When was Kundun released and how long is it?
Kundun was released in 1997 with a total runtime of 2h 14m.
What was the box office and production budget of Kundun?
Kundun had a reported production budget of $28M and grossed $5.7M at the worldwide box office (0.2 return on budget, classified as a underperformed).
Who composed the musical score for Kundun?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Kundun was composed by Philip Glass.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Kundun?
Kundun holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 6 (FSK 6 — Restricted to viewers aged 6 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); US: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned — May contain intense action, language, or mature themes.).