The Dhamma Brothers

2008 | Documentary

Synopsis

East meets West in the Deep South. An overcrowded maximum-security prison-the end of the line in Alabama's correctional system-is dramatically changed by the influence of an ancient meditation program. Behind high security towers and a double row of barbed wire and electrical fence dwells a host of convicts who will never see the light of day. But for some of these men, a spark is ignited when it becomes the first maximum-security prison in North America to hold an extended Vipassana retreat, an emotionally and physically demanding course of silent meditation lasting ten days. The Dhamma Brothers tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as it closely follows and documents the stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into this arduous and intensive program.

Scores

Overall Score
28.8
Popularity Percentile (Year)
14.0%
Box Office Percentile (Year)
18.7%
Review Aggregate
79.8

Critic Consensus

81.0% Fresh • 21 critic reviews

Critic reception is largely positive, with 81% of 21 logged reviews marked Fresh. Across reviews, critics repeatedly emphasize visually striking, dark, uplifting. Most critics frame the film as an effective delivery of its core style and intent.

visually strikingdarkupliftingcharacter-drivenemotionalthought-provoking

Cast

CastYearReported SalaryInflation AdjustedNotes
N/A

Aggregated Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes critic score83.0
RT critic review count23
Rotten Tomatoes audience score79.0
RT audience rating count250
IMDb rating7.6
IMDb votes490

Box Office ?

CategoryYearReportedInflation Adjusted
Domestic2008$40,492$58,998
International2008N/AN/A
Worldwide2008$40,492$58,998

Earnings / Profitability

Estimated net revenues and net expenses for films based on reported and estimated numbers. This income statement should be considered most viable for the first 24 months after the inital movie's release (ie after most lucrative pay windows).
CategoryYearReportedInflation Adjusted
Revenues
Theatrical Net Revenue2008$20,246$29,499
Digital Rentals ?2008$286,000$416,712
Digital Purchases ?2008$102,000$148,618
Physical Rentals ?2008$2,368,000$3,450,263
Physical Purchases ?2008$4,907,000$7,149,679
TV & Streaming Revenue2008$71,700$104,470
Total Revenues2008$7,754,946$11,299,241
Expenses
Budget ?2008$239,000 (est)$348,232 (est)
Print & Advertising (P&A) ?2008$80,000 (est)$116,563 (est)
Participations2008$310,000$451,681
Residuals ?2008$548,000$798,456
Interest & Overhead2008$47,800$69,646
Total Expenses2008$1,224,800$1,784,579
Movie Net Profit or Loss2008$6,530,146$9,514,662

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