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Vajra Sky Over Tibet

Play trailer Poster for Vajra Sky Over Tibet 2006 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Buddhist documentarian John Bush travels throughout Tibet, celebrating the history and persistence of Vajrayana, the Tibetan form of Buddhism. After their 1949 takeover of the country, the Chinese temporarily forbade religious practices, destroying or defacing many temples, statues and other pieces of iconography. With many of the bans lifted, Bush tours the country, recording surviving and restored artifacts while watching the population quietly observing their faith.

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Vajra Sky Over Tibet

Vajra Sky Over Tibet

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Critics Consensus

Journey Into Buddhism: Vajra Sky Over Tibet explores a fascinating subject with visual flair, but dull narration and a dawdling pace make it a less than illuminating watch.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune 11/30/2006
2/4
In order for audiences to better appreciate the underpinnings of Buddhism and the risks involved with modern-day practice in Tibet, the man who made Vajra would've needed to get his documentarian's hands a little dirty. Go to Full Review John Hartl Seattle Times 09/29/2006
2.5/4
Eventually you can't help wishing for some human contact. While the lulling narration by Bush and two exiled Tibetans is informative, it doesn't quite fill the gap. Go to Full Review Walter V. Addiego San Francisco Chronicle 09/22/2006
3/4
The material is so compelling that we keep watching. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 10/31/2007
A+
Beautifully photographed in dazzling colors and with hypnotic chanting music... . Go to Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat 11/08/2006
5/5
Not only the year's best documentary, but it is also among the finest films ever made about religion. Go to Full Review Andrew Wright The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 10/12/2006
However honorable the intent, Bush's epic journey carries all the raw, visceral excitement of watching someone else's holiday slides. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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06/28/2016 I loved this movie. I'm sad that eastern culture was not covered in my college humanities class. I have a lot to catch up on. See more 04/09/2008 Like traveling to Tibet and taking a guided tour rather than being a documentary, although mediocre it is informative, beautiful and cultural. Communist China's repressive regime, their suppression of Tibetan Buddhism, re-education to Nationalism and Patriotism like that of post-war Vietnam, is atrocious, especially concidering Tibetans desire religious and cultural freedom and not necessarily independence as a state. I also agree with the review by Robert Birkenes. See more 01/20/2008 This is a sad, beautiful, and educational film. A must-see for students of Buddhism and those who are interested in Tibet and China. Even if you think you know all about these subjects, this film will show you something new. However, I was disappointed that there was relatively little explanation of the substance of Vajrayana Buddhism, which is deep with wisdom and amazing teachings. Without translating the chanting, without explaining what the monks were transcribing, without explaining the history... one is left with the impression that this could just be a cult or another religion with its crazy prostration, candles, and other rituals. There is more to Tibetan Buddhism than that, but the viewer would not know from this movie. See more 01/05/2008 Fascinating voyage into the recent history of Tibetan Buddhism and how it's ancient traditions have been affected by that country's invasion and occupation by the Chinese communists. Absorbing narrative and beautiful cinematography accompanied by a mesmerizing soundtrack make this an informative and highly enjoyable experience. See more 06/12/2007 Important film. Very beautiful movie. Om Mani Peme Hung! See more 04/03/2007 This documentary feature is a cinematic pilgrimage to some of the most revered venues and festivals See more Read all reviews
Vajra Sky Over Tibet

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Cast & Crew

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John Bush

Director

John Bush

Narrator

John Bush

Writer

John Bush

Producer

John Bush

Cinematographer

Dónal Ó Céilleachair

Film Editing

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Vajra Sky Over Tibet

Vajra Sky Over Tibet (2006) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Buddhist documentarian John Bush travels throughout Tibet, celebrating the history and persistence of Vajrayana, the Tibetan form of Buddhism. After their 1949 takeover of the country, the Chinese temporarily forbade religious practices, destroying or defacing many temples, statues and other pieces of iconography. With many of the bans lifted, Bush tours the country, recording surviving and restored artifacts while watching the population quietly observing their faith.
Director
John Bush
Producer
John Bush
Screenwriter
John Bush
Production Co
Direct Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 29, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$45.1K
Runtime
1h 27m