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Lost Horizon [1937]
![Lost Horizon [1937]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5135SXBWHJL._SL160_.jpg)
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Editorial
Amazon.com
James Hilton's novel Lost Horizon proposes a perfect hidden community within the uncharted Himalayas, a land where peace reigns and the inhabitants live for hundreds of years. So indelible is this mythical land that its name has entered the culture: Shangri-La. Director Frank Capra, riding high during his mid-'30s hot streak, spared no expense in creating Hilton's paradise onscreen, taxing the coffers of Columbia Pictures and the patience of mogul Harry Cohn. The results, however, are magical: shimmering, seductive, and maybe a bit foolish, truly the creation of an idealist (understandably, the spectacular art direction won an Oscar). And Capra's hero is an idealist, too. Ronald Colman, at his most marvelously elocutionary, plays a wise diplomat whose plane crashes in the snows of Tibet. He and the other survivors are guided to Shangri-La, where they wrestle with the invitation to stay. The young Jane Wyatt plays Colman's love interest, but leaving a more lasting impression are H.B. Warner as the benevolent Chang and Sam Jaffe, in great old-age makeup, as the wizened High Lama. This version has been restored as closely as possible to Capra's original cut; the film had circulated for many years in a trimmed form. Lost Horizon was remade, notoriously and hilariously, as a big-budget musical in 1973 -- it was a complete flop. --Robert Horton
Magnificent example of professional movie making
Review date: 2007-12-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is one of the great romantic movies; perhaps the best movie of Frank Capra's career; probably the best of Ronald Colman's. It runs about 2 hours and 34 minutes and never seems slow, even in the reflective scenes.
Robert Conway (Ronald Colman), a diplomat and soldier, his brother and three others escape on the last plane out of a war-torm Chinese town. The plane is highjacked and heads for the Himilayas, where it crashes. The crew is dead, the passengers stranded in freezing weather and deep snow. A band of natives appears with warm clothing, rescues them and they set out on a long trek. Eventually they come to a nearly inaccessible crevice in the mountains. They go through and find a valley that is warm and green, with people working cooperatively and happily, where streams run and fields are tilled, where governance is from monks who are wise and fair. They have been brought to Shangri La, but for what purpose?
Conway is curious, meets a young woman with whom he falls in love, has discussions with one of the monks he assumes is the one in charge. His brother is resentful, unhappy and longs to go back to civilization. The other three at first agree, but gradually they find themselves discovering a kind of peace within themselves. And then Conway is brought to meet the High Lama (Sam Jaffe), an ancient man who, he realizes, is the person who first discovered the valley and began the community...over two hundred years ago. The High Lama describes Shangri La as a place where time has slowed to the point where it is meaningless, where peace is the natural condition. "It came to me in a vision, long, long ago," the High Lama tells Conway. "I saw all the nations strengthening, not in wisdom, but in the vulgar passions and the will to destroy. I saw the machine power multiplying, until a single weaponed man might match a whole army. I foresaw a time when man, exalting in the technique of murder, would rage so hotly over the world, that every book, every treasure, would be doomed to destruction. This vision was so vivid and so moving, that I determined to gather together all things of beauty and of culture that I could, and preserve them here, against the doom toward which the world is rushing. Look at the world today. Is there anything more pitiful? What madness there is! What blindness! What unintelligent leadership! A scurrying mass of bewildered humanity, crashing headlong against each other, propelled by an orgy of greed and brutality. A time must come, my friend, when this orgy will spend itself. When brutality and the lust for power must perish by its own sword. Against that time, is why I avoided death, and am here. And why you were brought here. For when that day comes, the world must begin to look for a new life. And it is our hope that they may find it here. For here, we shall be with their books and their music, and a way of life based on one simple rule: Be Kind!" He tells Conway that even in Shangri La death comes, and that he is dying. He chose Conway to be his successor, hoping that Conway would find the same peace which he had, and that Conway would agree.
But Conway's brother is determined to leave with a young woman from Shangri La. Conway reluctantly agrees to go with them because he knows his brother couldn't survive the trek without him. Tragedy occurs but Conway survives and is returned to civilization. But then he disappears. He will search for as long as it takes to find Shangri La again.
I've gone on about this movie because it is a near-perfect example of the kind of sweeping, romantic, powerful film Hollywood could make in its prime. The combination of, especially in the Thirties, the idea of a Shangri La with Frank Capra's immense gifts as a director able to hit people in their hearts and Ronald Colman's skill at portraying noble, brave and believeable heroes all comes together in this movie. An equal player in the excellence of this emotional film is Sam Jaffe's portrayal of the High Lama. He is intensely believeable as a gentle and wise man.
The movie pulls you emotionally. It has an ending that might make you tear up and will certainly satisfy you.
The film for the most part looks great. It had been chopped and diced after it was released to reduce playing time and, during World War II, to reduce the pacifist elements. The original negative and about seven minutes of film were never found. This restoration was pulled together from several sources and, except for a handful of places, looks just fine. Where the bits of film were lost, the soundtrack was kept with stills inserted to match who was speaking. This works very well. There are extras about the restoration that are interesting.
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Reviews
lost horizon - lost its way!
Review date: 2007-06-08 Rating: 6 out of 10
Having seen the movie for the first time in years I was a bit disappointed with it, Shangrila looked lovely but I felt it all looked a bit dated(unlike other movies of the time)and studio bound.I much preferred the alternate ending and disliked the added photos which made its flow very strange.I wish sometimes that certain movies could left as they were originally intended to be seen and the other bits could be done as extra features(like outtakes).
Ronald Colman was lovely,but that brother of his really overacted,I would be amazed if he ever acted again.
Fantastic movie!
Review date: 2006-08-03 Rating: 10 out of 10
I recommend to read the book before watching this movie.
The film gives the feeling as if it was a fast forward through the book (although it is over 2 hours long!). Many scenes of the book which would make the film a bit boring aren't included. In exchange there are many funny scenes which aren't in the book. Furthermore there are a few minor changes in the protagonists and there is a much more developed love story of R. Conway and Mallinson (George Conway in the film). The movie starts at Baskul and ends with R. Conway returning to Shangri-La.
Some parts of the movie (7 min) are only a slideshow of photographs with the original soundtrack because these scenes were cut out during the years and couldn't be recovered.
The Extras include the original trailer, a comparision of the restaured and the original movie, deleted scenes, an alternate ending and a commented selection of production photographs.
All in all it is a very enjoyable and exiting film you shouldn't miss!
A great classic that deserves 10 stars
Review date: 2006-07-05 Rating: 10 out of 10
For those who haven't seen the film, it is the story of an Englishman, played by Ronald Coleman, who is kidnapped by Orientals and taken to Tibet, to meet the Grand High Lama, played by Sam Jaffee.
He comes to the hidden kingdom of Shangri-La, and finds he is expected. This is a kingdom at peace with itself and the world. It is a form of Buddism, but not enough to get lost in the story.
Ronald Coleman is there, plus his brother and other passengers try to fit into the kingdom. He is encouraged to stay by Jafee, and is happy to, but his brother wants to leave. He has even found a guide, a young woman who wll take them out of the mountains.
One of the first surprises is that the Llama is nearly 200 years old. We are tld that the valley of Shangri-La stops the aging process, or at least slows it down. The young woman is not a young woman, but over 100 years old.
Sadly, the Llama dies, and leaves Coleman to take his place. Coleman and his brother escape during the funeral, and the girl comes with them. When the girl ages, and dies, his brother goes mad and falls off the cliff.
We are not told ow Coleman made it back to England, in fact the story is told in flashback, between two friends, talking about the mystery of Colemans dissapearance. As in the book, they are left wondering if he made it back, we see him arrive safely.
A wonderful story, the film captures the book precisely. In fact the only deviation is the ending, as it is not said in the book if he made it back or not.
It was re-filmed in the 1970's, as a musical, but it was a disaster.
from Loftus Road to Shangri-La
Review date: 2004-02-15 Rating: 8 out of 10
A classic, marred by the stills sections, but still a classic. the book is better. Would make a great re-make.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Thomas Mitchell
Edward Everett Horton
Ronald Colman
Jane Wyatt
John Howard
Director(s):
Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822028630
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2001-02-26
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 128 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1937-09-01
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Original Language)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Hebrew (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)