Kundun (1997): cast, story & where to watch
1997 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1997, Kundun is a drama and history film directed by Martin Scorsese, running about 134 minutes. “The destiny of a people lies in the heart of a boy.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.
Who’s in it. Kundun stars Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong as Dalai Lama (Adult), Tencho Gyalpo as Mother, Tsewang Migyur Khangsar as Father and Gyurme Tethong as Dalai Lama (Age 12), among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, Kundun has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $5.7M at the box office.
Where to watch. In AU you can rent or buy it from JustWatch TV. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kundun page.
If you liked it. Fans of Kundun tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Kundun (1997)?
- In AU, Kundun is available to rent or buy from JustWatch TV. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Kundun worth watching?
- Kundun holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Kundun?
- Kundun stars Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Tencho Gyalpo, Tsewang Migyur Khangsar, Gyurme Tethong and Robert Lin.
- When was Kundun released?
- Kundun was released in 1997, with a runtime of about 134 minutes.