Lost Horizon
It seems almost inconceivable that a film as great asLost  Horizonwould be nearly lost to the ravages of age and studio neglect.  Fortunately,  Columbia has compensated for past misdeeds with this superlative DVD release, which restores Capra's classic to near-complete form and provides a thorough--and thoroughly fascinating--account of the film's production and eventual restoration. Of particular interest to film buffs will be the engaging photo essay and accompanying narration by film historian Kendall Miller, whose affectionate (and infectious) obsession withLost Horizonis expressed here for the benefit of posterity. Equally engrossing is the full-length restoration commentary by UCLA film preservation expert Robert Gitt, whose efforts to restore this film were nothing less than heroic. Unfortunately, Gitt is teamed in the commentary with retiredLos Angeles Timesfilm critic Charles Champlin, whose contribution is amiable but superfluous. That quibble aside, this edition ofLost Horizonis one of the most rewarding DVDs of any classic Hollywood film. Although several of Frank Capra's other films have achieved a higher profile,Lost Horizonjust gets better as the years go by, and with its wealth of supplemental features, this DVD is a definitive archival tribute.--Jeff Shannon