Lost Horizon

Plot synopsis:
It is 1935. Before returning to England to become the new Foreign Secretary, writer, soldier, and diplomat Robert Conway (Ronald Colman) has one last task in China: to rescue 90 white Westerners in the city of Baskul. He flies out with the last few evacuees, just ahead of armed revolutionaries.
Unbeknownst to the passengers, the pilot has been replaced and their aircraft hijacked. It eventually runs out of fuel and crashes deep in the Himalayan Mountains, killing their abductor. The group is rescued by Chang (H.B. Warner) and his men and taken to Shangri-La, an idyllic valley sheltered from the bitter cold. The contented inhabitants are led by the mysterious High Lama (Sam Jaffe).
Initially anxious to return to civilization, most of the newcomers grow to love Shangri-La, including paleontologist Alexander Lovett (Edward Everett Horton), swindler Henry Barnard (Thomas Mitchell), and bitter, terminally-ill Gloria Stone (Isabel Jewell), who miraculously seems to be recovering. Conway is particularly enchanted, especially when he meets Sondra (Jane Wyatt), who has grown up in Shangri-La. However, Conway's younger brother George (John Howard), and Maria (Margo), another beautiful young woman they find there, are determined to leave.
Conway eventually has an audience with the High Lama and learns that his arrival was no accident. The founder of Shangri-La is said to be hundreds of years old, preserved, like the other residents, by the magical properties of the paradise he has created, but is finally dying and needs someone wise and knowledgeable in the ways of the modern world to keep it safe. Having read Conway's writings, Sondra believed he was the one; the Lama had agreed with her and arranged for Conway's abduction. The old man names Conway as his successor and then peacefully passes away.
George refuses to believe the Lama's fantastic story and is supported by Maria. Uncertain and torn between love and loyalty, Conway reluctantly gives in to his brother and they leave, taking Maria with them, despite being warned that she is much older than she appears. After several days of grueling travel, she becomes exhausted and falls face down in the snow. When they turn Maria over, they discover that she had become extremely old and died, as her departure from Shangri-La had restored her to her true age. Horrified, George loses his sanity and jumps to his death. The Sherpa porters accompanying them were earlier swept away by an avalanche, triggered by one of them who carelessly fires a handgun.
Conway continues on and eventually meets up with a search party sent to find him, although the ordeal has caused him to lose his memory of Shangri-La. On the voyage back to England, he remembers everything; he tells his story and then jumps ship. The searchers track him back to the Himalayas, but are unable to follow him any further. Conway manages to return to Shangri-La.

Tags: violence, fantasy, romantic

Review:
With elaborate set designs, excellent performances by Ronald Colman, Jane Wyatt, John Howard, Thomas Mitchell, and Edward Everett Horton, `Lost Horizon' is a story of survival and ultimately finding a way home, that cannot be forgotten.
Incredible detail went into the creation of Shangri-La. With its large sets, beautiful costume design, the film takes on an epic proportion only rivaled by the grand designs of such Biblical epics as `Ben-Hur,' and `The Ten Commandments.' Truly, director Capra wanted to create an image that audiences would be astounded byand he truly succeeded.One can't help but admire the characters-they are all a bit naïve, but all intriguing in their own ways.
The concept of Shangri-La, a place where people work and live in peaceful harmony, is as relevant today as it was in the post-World War I era that James Hilton wrote 'Lost Horizon', where the world was still in turmoil following a devastating war and another was on its way.In these days of war, humanitarian devastation and disease, how many people are there who dream of getting away from it all and living out their lives in a remote paradise just like Shangri-La?
All the actors are commendable in their portrayals (though some characters are different to those in the original novel) and their interaction with each other add a real sparkle to the movie.'Lost Horizon' is a beautiful adaptation of James Hilton's masterpiece and captures the very feeling of the novel and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has ever dreamed of escaping from the hectic world in which we live..
Hilton took Conway, his brother George, Professor Edward Everett Horton, suspiciously quiet businessman Thomas Mitchell, and consumptive Isabel Elsom to an oasis (possibly the oasis) on that troubled old earth - Shangri La, or "the valley of the Blue Moon") where contentment and peace reigned and people could live, if not forever, far longer and more happily than in say 1937 Germany, Britain, France, Russia, Italy, the U.S., or Japan.On the whole Capra catches the spirit of the novel - his sets were dismissed as being far to simplistic, but as simplicity is the hallmark of life at Shangri-La the critics seemed to miss the point.
As a matter of fact, his sets (in a temperate valley in the Himalayas - a real impossibility) are more acceptable than the idiocies of the future world in the contemporary science fiction film THINGS TO COME, where H.G.Wells believes we should live in cities built in caves.The acting is very good, particularly Sam Jaffe's ancient High Lama (always shot in shadows).
Howard does not have a British accent, but he does show the adoration of the younger brother for his famous sibling, and the growing anger and contempt he develops when brother Robert fails to plan for their leaving this prison they were dragged to - note how he wants to return with a bomber to destroy Shangri-La. It is one of the two roles in major films that John Howard is remembered for, the other being "George Kittridge", the erstwhile fiancé of Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn) in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, who is pushed aside by both Cary Grant and James Stewart.As it is one of Howard's best roles, it is nice that when the film was restored (as well as possible) in the 1980s, Howard (one of the three surviving cast members) was able to appreciate it - many of the missing sequences were his scenes.
Now we are fortunate to have this 1999 restoration spearheaded by UCLA film archivist Robert Gitt to match as closely as possible to Frank Capra's original 132-minute running time.Similar to what was done with George Cukor's "A Star Is Born", "Lost Horizon" is presented with its complete soundtrack, but missing footage had to be found through other sources, even 16-mm prints recorded from TV broadcasts, and in a few scenes, production stills were sadly the only option to fill in the gaps.
H.B. Warner plays Chang with the requisite serenity of his vague, mysterious character; and Jane Wyatt - two decades before playing the perfect suburban wife and mother in "Father Knows Best" - is surprisingly saucy as Sondra, the young schoolteacher who has Conway brought to Shangri-La. She even has a brief nude swimming scene.
However, for all its flaws, the movie has some really stunning camera-work by Joseph Walker, surprisingly masterful special effects (for a near-poverty row studio like Columbia), Dmitri Tiomkin's stirring musical score and a powerful sense of mysticism that gives the film a genuine soul.
Edward Everett Horton was again great in a seemingly bubbling, comic role and Sam Jaffe, later the professor in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" gives a memorable performance as the High Lama, establisher of Shangri-La, the perfect world high above in the Himalayas.
Lost Horizon sees what was for the time a rare marriage between burgeoning picture scope, in what was "poverty row" studio Columbia's most expensive production to date, and poignant intimacy in the source novel by James Hilton.Thank goodness for director Frank Capra, who seemed really able to balance this sort of thing.
British diplomat Ronald Colman and brother John Howard crash a plane with several civilians including Thomas Mitchell deep in the Himalayas and find Shangri-La. The place is literally heaven on Earth, but is it really what it seems?
Good and definitely interesting, "Lost Horizon" remains one of Capra's lesser-known films that still packs a punch 65 years later.
Robert feels obligated to go with them, but a terrible truth about staying there will be learned, as Robert vows to later return to Shangri-La, no matter how long it takes...Moving and appealing film is beautifully directed and acted, showing us a wonderful place that anyone would want to stay in, making Conway's desperate fight to return there quite compelling.
Frank Capra classic about a group of British citizens, led by diplomat Robert Conway (Ronald Colman), who flee a rebellion in China only to have their plane crash in the Himalayas.
The rest of the wonderful cast includes John Howard, Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton, H.B. Warner, Isabel Jewell, and Thomas Mitchell (the first of four movies he did with Capra).
But the thing about most of Frank Capra's films, and why he is probably my favorite director ever, was that he believed in telling uplifting, optimistic stories about us helping each other overcome our baser nature; that good can triumph over evil and there are such things as happy endings.
The film delivers a good deal of life lessons, and Shangri-La really does look like a great place to live.
The aging High Lama, Sam Jaffe and his assistant H.B. Warner think that Colman is the kind of man they want to succeed Jaffe who has passed his 200 year.Supporting Colman are Frank Capra regulars Edward Everett Horton and Thomas Mitchell.
It's so nice to be able to see something resembling the original vision Capra had for this story, the wonders of science gives us a cracking restoration to enjoy at our want.Robert Conway is a British diplomat who helps a group of people (one his younger brother) escape from a Chinese revolution in a passenger plane, all doesn't go to plan, tho, as the plane has been skyjacked and is heading into the Himalayas, and Tibet.
I got a real feeling of cold and danger in those mountains.Certainly there is some material that is dated or otherwise a bit jarring to the modern sensibility; white people are taken to be more important than any other people with a breathtaking assurance, and the "ethereal" performance by Sam Jaffe is a bit much for my taste, but when watching a movie one adjusts to the world of the movie or has a bad time.I thought Bob's brother George was very annoying.
Ronald Colman finds "Lost Horizon," the 1937 film beautifully and masterfully directed by Frank Capra and also starring Jane Wyman, John Howard, Edward Everett Horton, Thomas Mitchell, Margo, H.B. Warner, Isabell Jewell, and Sam Jaffe.Growing up I have two vivid memories - one is the horrific musical version of this film (remember "The World is a Circle"?) - which I saw in a theater, God help me.
She makes Conway doubt what the High Lama and Chang have told him, so Conway agrees to accompany George and Maria and forsake Shangri-la.This is a fascinating film, absolutely enormous in scope, that has been restored to 132 minutes with some difficulty.
There are many thrilling scenes: the opening of the movie, the refueling scene, the walk to Shangri-la, and the trek away from Shangri-la just to mention a few - as well as scenes of great beauty and poignancy, particularly the scene when a heartbroken Conway leaves the paradise on an evening when the citizens, carrying candles, have a procession (this might be part of the High Lama's funeral, which was cut from the film).
Perhaps in Capra's original, long disastrous version, we get more of an idea.70 years later, "Lost Horizon" is a sad reminder that a) they don't make movies like this anymore; b) the world hasn't changed much and is still in the sorry state it was in 1937; and c) there isn't any lost horizon - because we never found one..
The mountains which block the horizon from Shangri-La may symbolize the loss of our baser impulses, what some would call original sin.It feels a bit like Robert Conway, the celebrated soldier and diplomat in the story, has earned his place in paradise.
Acting is adequate.Though the film tells a great outdoor adventure story, the real value of "Lost Horizon" lies in its deep spiritual themes, as expressed by Chang and the High Lama.
Frank Capra directed "Lost Horizon" the film version of the famous novel written by James Hilton.
"Lost Horizon" was restored in 1973 (coincidentally on the same year when the awful musical version was released) and some parts of the film, I mean, some of the images were lost, never found, or they were so deteriorated by the time that still photographs of the actors were used as replacement, with the soundtrack/sound playing naturally.
Although I've complained about the musical remake and people are not very fond of remakes these days I think that this story needs a bigger audience and the only way to get it is by making another film, but it's got to be similar than Capra's version and more appealing to a world audience.This is a perfect movie for a Sunday afternoon or calm days.
Lovett, the rogue trader Henry Barnard and the sick and bitter Gloria Stone.They soon notice the plane is skyjacked and it crashes in a remote area in Tibet.They notice they have found Shangri-la, an utopistic paradise that's not on the map.You don't find illness there, no war or any type of dispute.They didn't get there by accident.They were brought there on purpose, as they soon find out.The place is led by a nearly 200- year old lama.Robert becomes fascinated by the place and wants to stay, and so do the others, except for brother George.Robert also meets the enchanting Sondra there.Lost Horizon from 1937 is based on James Hilton's novel, which I haven't read and it's directed by Frank Capra.Of Capra's works this is not my favorite.But it still is a mighty fascinating look inside this utopian world that doesn't exist.Ronald Colman is brilliant as Robert Conway.And so is John Howard playing George Conway.Jane Wyatt gives a delightful performance as Sondra Bizet.H.B. Warner plays Chang and he's great.Sam Jaffe is terrific as the High Lama.Edward Everett Horton is very good as Lovett, also known as 'Lovey'.He's called that by Henry Barnard, who's brilliantly played by Thomas Mitchell.Isabel Jewell is wonderful as Gloria Stone.Margo is great as Maria, who spends time with George and wants to leave with him.The movie has a lot of good stuff.I recommend you visit Shangri-la and see how you like it..
Lost Horizon (1937) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Frank Capra's fantasy about a group of people whose plane is hijacked and they're taken to the mysterious Shangri-La. Once there, explorer Robert Conway (Ronald Colman) tries to figure out if it's true that no one here grows old and that everything can be accomplished simply through peace and kindness.
The characters in the film represent a wide range of human spiritual development, and the differences in the way they each respond to being in 'Shangri-La', including each person's changes or 'journey' during their time there, are quite instructive.Secondly, and more esoterically, there is the matter of the relationship between 'Lost Horizon's 'Shangri-La' and what is known in the Ageless Wisdom as 'Shamballa'.
There are some sweet, romantic scenes between Wyatt and Colman, and the two make quite an attractive pair.It seems to me this film was deeply personal to director Frank Capra, and outlines his philosophy and deepest feelings about life, which you may find mirroring quite a bit of Leo Tolstoy in his later years.
It's one that is easy to be cynical about or to criticize, but there is a great deal of depth here, and dammit, maybe that's what the world needs, more idealists.The film is certainly not perfect, and among other things, I wish Chang (H.B. Warner) and the High Lama (Sam Jaffe) had been played by Asian-Americans.
(Yep. It sure sounds easy enough, but, hey, it can get mighty tough slugging at times) In spite of its glaring flaws and ludicrous improbabilities, Lost Horizon, in the long run, was, surprisingly enough, quite a thoughtful movie in many ways.Even though it preached of serene happiness, the virtues of avoiding excesses, and the basic principles of Christianity, its earnest message seemed both sincere and genuine.Usually films which include obvious undertones of Christianity as the basis of its story don't go over very well with me.
Had about a half-hour's worth of this fairy tale been edited out of the final product, then I think that this would have helped things immensely.One of Lost Horizon's most notable performances was that of Ronald Coleman who played the Robert Conway character.This is definitely one of those films that one must experience for themselves in order to make a fair and honest judgement of its content..
If Director Frank Capra couldn't put together a Better Movie than this from a 6 Hour Initial Cut, there's Trouble in Motion Picture Paradise.It is Heady and at Times Inspirational, Moving and Interesting in a Few Spots but Overall this is Overrated and Over Praised, and that is Probably More of and Insight into the Hopes and Dreams of the Audience than the Excellence of the Film.
In "Lost Horizon," a change of pace for director Frank Capra, a charter plane carrying a group of character actors crashes somewhere over Asia, and they stumble their way into the forgotten city of Shangri-La, tucked cosily away amid the snowy mountains, where the cadaverous H.B. Warner prowls around in bare feet and a kimono.
Shangri-La seems like an ideal place to while away one's hours, not the least because of its groovy art-deco production design, but before long everyone starts to get bored with how nice and bland the inhabitants are, and creeped out by Warner's ability to materialize out of nowhere at the most inopportune moments (he's definitely what "Seinfeld's" Elaine would call a sidler)."Lost Horizon" is actually sort of poky and dull, and I was fairly disinterested in what happened to the characters by the time the movie was over.
In 1954 I saw the complete 1937 lost horizon.The theater owner in our little town was British.While in London area in 37, he acquired one of the original uncut prints.It ran over 138 minutes and had a boat scene which is not even in the sound tracks.I know this for certain as I have the stills from that seen.Now to the meat of the film..A popular explorer by the name of Baird Spalding,discovered the entrance eastern most,,to the valley of the blue moon.Whether Hilton knew Spalding or not,is unknown to me.The valley ran to the west,and culminated below shangra la,as the story goes.In a subdued volcanic area the lushness of a paradise flourished.I don,t want to sound too strange here,but satellite survey would have seen it years ago if this area was fixed.I don,t believe it is bound by most of what we understand as a mapable location.I have personally seen evidence of this condition,but on a vastly smaller scale..My observation was with witness.Upper India and tibet have been the subject of many unbelievable things,and I believe the inspiration for this movie to be but one of those things.In new movies the closest thing to paradise for me was rivindel in fellowship of the rings.I hope you all find your shangra la,but you will probably have to work at it,,good luck..........
(The Remake is also not as bad as some people think) In 1942, the film was re-released as The Lost Horizon of Shangri-La. A lengthy drunken speech delivered by Robert Conway, in which he cynically mocks war and diplomacy, had already been deleted in the general release version.
Too bad the third act fails, and the "Shangri-la" scenes weren't filmed in color.******* Lost Horizon (3/2/37) Frank Capra ~ Ronald Colman, John Howard, Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton.
1st watched 1/22/2000 - (Dir-Frank Capra): Interesting movie about man's search for(but more specifically one man's stumble into) Utopia here known as Shangri-La.Very thought provoking with a few scenes at the end involving the "real" world not played out very well.Restored version 132 minutes w/ still shots..
Capra's cinematography of the "Tibetan" landscape is beautiful, the sets are amazing for that period, and Ronald Colman's performance is nothing short of charming.Basically, the film is good for two things: First, it's an amazing, warm-fuzzy movie for all those needing a logic-free escape into paradise.
"Lost Horizon" (1937) directed by Frank Capra put the reign of Shangri-la on the map, with an airplane catastrophe in which the act of filming it barely seems as if it was a known documentary of the March of Time.