Little Buddha

Be warned this movie has been heavily edited. I did no know that and bought it to stream. I should have rented it first and then I would have seen the butcher job done on this film. I previously saw it on Netflix in it's original format. What's went missing is confounding as well. Sidddhartha's decision to become and ascetic. They cut him switching robes with a poor man. Suddenly he is sitting in rags with a cobra on his head. Next gone is the Lama's Norbu's explanation of the meaning of the symbolism of the Stupa and why it's shaped that way. Also his telling Jesse to always follow the group when spinning the prayer wheel in the correct direction. Jesse's comment about the tiger tooth and the far out story of grandpa getting eaten by a tiger. The edited version makes him seem he buy's the story, unedited he does not. The kids have a question and answer session where they choose a the hat they like best and so on so the monks can decide to choose who they feel is right, that's gone, suddenly they all get chosen without the why of how they all made the cut. (Besides the leader babbling in a trance that is) The blessing of pouring libations on the kids heads after being chosen is gone. Lama Norbu entering the room with a monk sewing ( that monk leaves the room) at a machine to meditate his death isgone Norbu is just suddenly sitting there. The photography is great as is the soundtrack and the 2 story lines are wonderful. The heavy handed editing (why?) is very annoying to someone who has seen this before the way it is supposed to be seen. I will looking for the original version now this was a bust

Some reviewers have come away from this film with the impression that it is an instructional film, letting English speaking audiences become aware of the basic story of the enlightenment of Prince Siddharta. Other reviewers have focused on the Seattle family which is transported out of their previous existance and culture into the possibility that their young son is a reincarnation of a holy LLama. Whereas I think this film does both of these story lines justice, I think there is a third story line in the film which is just as strong. This story is the quest by Llama Norbu for the reincarnation(s) of his teacher, then the death of Llama Norbu after his mission is accomplished, and finally the very moving spritual ceremonies at the end of the film where the monks mourn for Llama Norbu and the three children spread the ashes of Llama Norbu in Bhutan, India, and Seattle Washington.Bartolucci gives us first a story line that Western audiences can accept; a white upper class American family is moved from their everyday existance to another culture and belief system by a group of gentle Tibetian monks. Within this story line is a child's version of the story of Prince Siddharta, played by Keanu Reeves, relating the origins of the Buddha. However, cleverly hidden amongst these parts is the quest of Llama Norbu, played to perfection by the wonderful Ying Ruocheng.This is a beautiful film, which transports the viewer gradually and gently toward a exposure to the Buddhist faith.

Some of the hippy talk in the top reviews for this movie is a little unnerving to me. I plan to use this movie to give my daughters a good overview of the Siddhartha story when they're a little older. I liked it, and - since I saw it on television first - got through about half the movie before I recognized Keanu Reeves. I saw it first on television in Malaysia. To give you a thumbnail of the values system in a moderate Muslim country: Deep Blue, the shark movie, was run "full blooded" on television marked as "suitable for all family members." This movie was run with a "Parental guidance - some ideas may be unsuitable for some family members." disclaimer. No kidding.

This movie is one of those rare one's where the whole greatly exceeds the sum of its parts. It is dramatic without being melodramatic. Bertolucci's love for its subject matter, Buddhism, does not come across, IMHO, as proselytizing. Some religion peddlers attempt to make sure, however subtly or bluntly, we are told "why God loves us best." In my mind, the wonders of the natural world and human acts of charity and kindness are all the marketing God needs. The cinematography, music, direction, editing, and acting make for a harmonious, transcendent experience. When I saw this film in the theaters I left en-awed. Seeing this on DVD does not replicate that experience due to the one of a kind nature of those experiences. Second, third, or fourth experiences all have their value must there is only one first impression. If I could take only 10 to 15 movies with me to a deserted island this one would be amongst those select few. I never concern myself with "best" but I do have my favorites.

Little Buddha  This is a good movie, not a blockbuster, that seemed to be fairly accurate in it's protrayal of Buddhism and reincarnation, at least by my limited knowledge. The story is simple and I enjoyed it, but the footage taken in India, Nepal and Tibet were worth the price alone. The tree in the yard (or garden) at one child's home was FANTASTIC. If you are interested in learning more, see a real search for a reincarnated lama in the Unmistaken Child[[ASIN:B002MZCSW4 Unmistaken Child]. This incredible documentary, with breathtaking scenery, follows a solitary monk on his search for a reincarnated lama. Little Buddha is appropriate for families. Young school-age children would probably benefit from an adult to watch with them. I can only imagine that many questions would arise. I hope this helps.

It took quite some time to get into the feel of the film. When the scenes in Bhutan started rolling I wondered when Keanu Reeves would appear. Only later, after all the heavy makeup of Siddhartha was removed, did I recognised Keanu from just a few angled shots.That aside, it was an important political point to hear reference of the Chinese invasion of Tibet.Of the major religions of the world, some were created by warrior-aggressors for political purposes of domination, subjugation, power and control, and being totally devoid of spirituality. And some were created by power-hungry religious tyrants. In contrast, Tibetan Buddhism is truly spiritually based, although spirituality can only be created by the individual. One does not need religion to be spiritual. But I digress from the film. It was unfortunate that the filmmakers lost money from its initial cost; box office takings were a fraction of the film’s budget cost. Nevertheless, the film’s Buddhist message was loud and clear, but I do not accept the concept of three people reincarnating at the same time from the prior incarnation of one deceased person. The film’s foray into the concept of Buddhism was too simplistic and confusing.

I am not a buddhist but I have a great interest in buddhism and have studied it extensively. This is a fabulous film for giving a flavour of the many facets of this tradition that has been around in various forms for some two and a half thousand years. It will not take you into the real depths of the original teaching, nor is it likely to allow you to easily separate the tantric traditions from the likely original teaching. It does not even explicitly state the four noble truths or the eightfold path. There are a number of negative pints made in the one star reviews I'd like to addess. The criticism about poor acting only really applies to one character played by Chris Isaac, who is clearly more of a singer than an actor. Overall though the film is well-shot and well-structured slipping back and forth as it does between the story of Siddhartha and a modern search for the reincarnated master.Given the wonderful scenery I'd recommend getting the blu-ray if you don't need English subtitles. One reviewer writes, "many scenes (especially the historical flashbacks) make Buddhism look ridiculous, which is some achievement". i do not think this film makes buddhism look ridiculous, quite the reverse in fact. The reviewer obviously failed to notice the deep humility and human warmth shown by the buddhists in modern times and siddhartha (well-played by a young Keanu Reeves). Notice that the modern buddhists prefix all their statements from their tradition with "we believe ...". There is no missionary force in their statements, just a humble expression of a belief that you may or may not share. When a westerner says he does not believe in reincarnation the response is, "Why should you?"Whether you know very little about buddhism, know a lot about it or just like an interesting story I think that you'll most likely enjoy this film but if you like action movies with a lot going on then forget it. This is a slow-paced thought-provoking film on a number of levels and certainly not mindless entertainment.

Arrived early on a Sunday afternoon , brilliant film with keanu reeves there's no dowt about that . You can watch it in French Or English ," BUT BE AWARE " THIS FRENCH BLU-RAY HAS HARD CODED FRENCH SUBTITLES THAT YOU CAN NOT SWITCH OFF , WHICH IS VERY DISTRACTING WHEN WATCHING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL FILM , Abit disappointed as this is not stated on Amazon site , and costing £28 you'd think it might say something about that ,but film deserves 5 stars

This is an invaluable tool for teaching the life of the Buddha and Buddhism itself (albeit with a Himalayan slant) to a mixed group of ninth or tenth graders. I was doubtful at first, since the acting really made me wince, as did some of the frame story's premises, but I was won over by the popularity of the film in Thailand, where it went into extended runs; if the Thai don't take offence, why should I? During three decades in Asia, I certainly became aware of odd ways of getting a serious message across, and of the general agreement that the end justifies the means. And the end is certainly achieved here. The film takes a little boy, his family, and the viewer on a journey, both literal and figurative, toward the greater understanding and compassion, Enlightenment if you will, that helps overcome suffering. Perhaps the most brilliant passage in the film is Overcoming the Armies of Mara, the temptations of this world--the last of which is belief in the existence of our own ego (that most basic premise of Western thought!).

This is a beautiful and ultimately moving and thought provoking film that reminds us of basic Human values much devalued in the West - compassion, service and freedom of knowledge. It also briefly touches on something all of us materialistic Westerners would do well to remember - impermanence - as well as showing a stark contrast between the late 20th century West and ancient East along with our unease and distrust around what is a strange, yet vastly older, way of life. We could learn a thing or two from these cultures.Considering how old this film is now, the visual quality on this bluray is stunning. The audio is not quite such an improvement but you do hear a lot more incidental sounds than before, I particularly noticed the birds in the background!How much of the modern part has been dramatised I don't know but it's a shame there is no follow up. What happened to the children, what impact did the experience have on them and their families?Overall, I cannot recommend this film enough. It's not an action thriller, and I love Transformers etc, it's a slow film with a singular tear shedding but joyful ending.