"Kundun" is Martin Scorsese's most underrated film. It's something quite fantastic to watch such an amazing film about the early years of the Dalai Lama and the plight of Tibetan Buddhists knowing that it comes from a man who has long wrestled with his own religious ghosts (witness the still hotly debated conundrum that is his "Last Temptation of Christ"). With probably only "The Age of Innocence" to compare to in Scorsese's now hallowed canon, "Kundun" is a breathtaking work of art--visually sumptuous (with beautiful work from cinematographer Roger Deakins),hauntingly transcendental, and deeply symbolic.

As an outsider looking in, Scorsese manages to create an intimate level of detail that someone who lives and breathes Buddhism might have overlooked. Many rituals and practices are presented exactly as they are with no attempts to explain their purpose or translate their meaning to Western culture. This allows them to keep their rich symbolism, which translates perfectly to Scorsese's visual palette. From the rich colors of meditative sand art to the bright red blood spilled during China's unlawful occupation of Tibet, everything takes on a deeper meaning that leaves much to the imagination and higher mind.

Wisely, Scorsese follows the same template of Richard Attenborough's equally resonating Oscar winning epic "Ghandi" by adapting a straight forward approach to his presentation of the Dalai Lama's most tumultuous years. Except for a few dreamlike vision sequences, he stays mostly out of the man's head, and instead shows his power through his actions and dedication to his people and the practice of non-violence. "Kundun" is as near perfect a biopic as one can make.

The 13th Dalai Lama had died and the search is on for the 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama. Several lamas arrive at a small child's home to test if he recognizes some of Dalai Lama's objects. They bring the boy and his family to Lhasa. The Chinese Communists invade. The Tibetans are overwhelmed. The situation becomes more and more oppressive. The world turns its back on Tibet. Dalai Lama tries and fails to come to terms with Chairman Mao Zedong. With more atrocities, the Dalai Lama resorts to guerrilla action. He is forced to escape to India in the dead of night.

Director Martin Scorsese has created a good looking movie. The need to follow the real story may be too much to overcome. The actors do their lines mostly in a detached manner. There is a sterile unemotional feel to the movie. It may be better for Scorsese to consider doing a documentary about the Dalai Lama. This is like faithfully praying in a movie theater. It may hold some interest but not a wholly compelling viewing experience. The history is interesting and there are some compelling stories. I think there is a better way to tell it.

Prior to 1997, I had known loosely about China's occupation of Tibet. That year, two movies came out that vastly opened my eyes to the whole ordeal: "Seven Years in Tibet" and "Kundun". While the former stars Brad Pitt and focuses on Heinrich Harrer's experiences with the Dalai Lama, the latter stars non-professional actors and focuses on the Dalai Lama himself. We see him go from a boy suddenly thrust into the role of this important figure in Buddhism, to a man having to deal with the Chinese occupation of his homeland.

Probably the most important thing that the movie does is show that the Dalai Lama is more than a red-clad figure talking about peace and goodwill; he's a normal human being like the rest of us. I will say that the focus on his life becomes so overwhelming that it's rather hard to digest; in my case, I started thinking to myself that the Buddhist architecture looked like an apartment complex. But overall, I would say that this is one of Martin Scorsese's best movies; back when he was making "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull" (also masterpieces),who would have ever guessed that he would make this?

I wonder why the movie never mentioned Heinrich Harrer.