The Buddha

In great contrast to the previous review shredding this documentary apart, I (as a Buddhist) feel that this documentary was profound in its execution and content for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Considering the vast complexity of a faith that has evolved and differentiated itself many times over the centuries, this documentary made a valiant and successful effort in presenting the core story and principles of the life and teachings of the Buddha. It is presented with animations and interviews that are easily identifiable without going deeper into more complex principles of Buddhism that would alienate the viewing audience of lay Buddhists and non-Buddhists. I highly recommend watching it and respectfully disagree with the previous reviewers points of contention about the documentary.

This documentary was quite light on information and expertise - one of the main speakers had a byline that just said 'poet' - but I guess this is meant as a first introduction to Buddhism so that is understandable.

On the other hand, the visual background consists of beautiful art and well chosen images that made this an enjoyable watch even if the viewer doesn't learn very much.

I just finished watching the movie titled "The Buddha" a two hour documentary about the life of Siddhartha Gautama who was also known as The Buddha. To be honest, this movie really didn't appeal to me whatsoever, and I found myself falling asleep at parts. I would suggest this movie to people who really want to learn more about Buddhism in depth, for someone like me who just needs the basics this was a little too much. It didn't go into extreme depth but it just took a long time to say the basic fundamentals of the Buddhist teachings and the Buddha's life. However, the artistic style of the movie was quite interesting and very well done. It was told a lot in paintings, and the music in the background really fit the mood of the movie. There were also multiple interviews with different people including the Dalai Lama which made the movie slightly more engaging. I didn't feel like the movie was really trying to force the Buddhism beliefs on you which I really liked, because I find that sometimes movies like this will try and do that. It wasn't an awful movie, and I really appreciated the artistic side of it, but I won't be watching it again.

You may not be surprised when you learn that Buddhist actor Richard Gere is the narrator that this is not an entirely neutral documentary. For me that lessened my enjoyment somewhat, but the repetitions are the biggest flaw.

It starts of well. We learn about the stories of Buddha's early life and what is taught about his path to become the Buddha. Whether they impress you or not they are tales of a flawed man searching for meaning and are all about searching within up until the point when he "finds himself" - then you get a load of religious mojo or perhaps it should just be seen as allegory but it is told without any indication it should be taken allegorically.

Once we have reached the point when he is supposedly the Buddha it becomes propaganda - and not compelling propaganda. I am an atheist, so it is possible that people who are believers will see this differently but I think they will agree that the second half has little insight to offer that the first half didn't cover except some miracles that are very contradictory with the earlier part of the Buddhas teachings and feel like things that the religious added later to compete with other religious claims.

After watching I still think that Buddha - if he existed - was a man who tried to help people live in the moment but who's teachings have been usurped by a religion that has distorted and embellished so much that we can not know anything about who the man may ever have been.

If you know little of Buddhism this is still an OK primer that is worth watching - if you do know the basics about Siddhartha Gautama I would recommend you look elsewhere for further enlightenment on the subject.

"The Buddha" is an interesting, PBS documentary tracing the life story of the Buddha. It is good for an introduction to Buddhist mythology, but could benefit from a bit more depth.

Through the use of animation and interviews with figures such as the Dalai Lama, the documentary explains what Buddhists believe the Buddha went through, and what his significance to them is.

The film itself is well done, with some good animation. However, I was left wanting more. It would have been better if they had provided more information about the development of Buddhism after the Buddha's death. Even if they did not have time to discuss all the different schools of Buddhism, it would have been beneficial to have more in depth commentary from representatives of the various schools. Most of the people they talk to seem to be adherents of Tibetan Buddhism, leaving one to wonder what a Zen or Shinto perspective would be.