Director Martin Scorsese is so well known for his tough gritty crime sagas (“Casino,” “Goodfellas,” “Taxi Driver”) that people seem surprised when he attempts something different. “The Last Temptation of Christ” and “The Age of Innocence” caught a lot of his fans and critics off guard, yet proved he was capable of telling a story without guns and gangsters.

Now comes “Kundun,” a spiritual journey that examines the life of Tibet’s 14th Dalai Lama. Like “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Kundun” became more famous for the controversy surrounding it rather than for it’s efforts. China, whose Communist rule doesn’t come off very well in the film, threatened to ban all films from the Walt Disney Company if they released the film. I guess Communist Chinese don’t like seeing themselves portrayed as villains. “Kundun” came and went without a whimper, so most people never got a chance to see the film. All that changes now that “Kundun” is available on video and DVD. The DVD presents the film in it’s original widescreen format, which in my opinion, is the only way to see the film. Scorsese has made an intimate epic, and every inch of the frame is vital to his vision. The film deals with the birth, discovery and grooming of Tibet’s 14th Dalai Lama, who is played through his lie by various natives of Tibet. There are no big stars in “Kundun.” Scorsese wanted to maintain the humanity of the subject matter. What you see is what you get. Thanks to Melissa Mathison’s thrifty script, Scorsese is able to cram most of the Dalai Lama’s life into 135 minutes. Due to time constraints, the film seems episodic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a brief yet fascinating history lesson that makes you want to learn more. Scorsese has recruited the best of the best to bring the story to life. The gorgeous production and costume design is by Dante Ferretti, perfectly captured in widescreen glory by Roger Deakins. Thelma Schoonmaker’s seamless editing brings it all together. Still, it’s the message that’s important in “Kundun,” not the messenger. Tibet is a political hotbed, and perhaps that’s why audiences stayed away from the film. Since “Kundun” covers some of the same territory as “Seven Years in Tibet,” maybe audiences felt that they had already seen the film. Scorsese doesn’t take sides. He just tells the best story he can, and the results are entirely satisfying.

COMPLETE CHECK-UP

VISION: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

While all of Martin Scorsese’s films look sensational, I haven’t seen such vibrant images from the director since “The Age of Innocence.” Presented in the film’s original 2.35:1 widescreen ratio, the digital transfer is extraordinary. The colors leap off the screen, the flesh tones look so real you swear you could reach out and touch them, and the blacks are impenetrable. No signs of compression artifacts, noise, or pixelation. Instead, the transfer delivers brilliant reds, soothing blues, warm yellows, and definitive earth tones. The opening credits, set against a tapestry of the Dalai Lama’s life, is one of the most colorful images I’ve ever seen on DVD. Just incredible.

HEARING: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Every little New Age tingle of the Philip Glass ethereal score comes through with pinpoint accuracy. Outstanding Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track embraces you with crystal clear dialogue, realistic ambient noise and accurate stereo separation. The soundtrack is an aural treat. The basses grip you with their boldness and the high ends slice through the air with the precision of a surgeon.

ORAL: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Closed captioned for the hard of hearing in English.

COORDINATION: [ ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ X ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

Main and scene access menus, original theatrical trailer.

PROGNOSIS: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.

“Kundun” is a spiritual and visual trip, but you have to want to make the journey in order to fully appreciate the film.

VITALS: $29.99/Rated PG-13/135 Min./Color/18 Chapter Stops/Keepcase/#14890

ATTENDING RESIDENT: John Larsen

PATIENT: KUNDUN

BIRTH DATE: 1997

HMO: Touchstone Home Video

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2001 at 3:35 am and is filed under Film Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.