Lost Horizon

[Foxbat]

Directed by Frank Capra
Starring Ronald Coleman, Jane Wyatt
Made in 1937
B&W
Region 2 DVD

This movie is based on the novel of the same name by James Hilton, and tells the tale of Robert Conway – a soldier and diplomat strongly tipped to become Great Britain’s next Foreign Secretary. But Conway is much different from the stiff-upper-lipped action man and devotee to King and Country he portrays to the world. In truth, he is war weary and saddened by the inhumanity that people visit upon each other.

The story begins with Conway caught in the middle of a war between the Chinese Nationalists and Communists. He is to be airlifted to Shanghai where a cruiser awaits to whisk him off back to Britain and on to greater things. But he and his travelling companions are unaware that a change of plan has been orchestrated – and that he is to be kidnapped and flown to a secret place deep within the mountains of Tibet. Here, he is met by the mysterious Mister Chang and taken to Shangri-La….a place where time seems to stand still.

Conway is astounded to learn of the absence of war and disease in this oasis of calm and warmth amidst the storm scarred peaks of Tibet. He soon decides to stay here for the rest of his days, but is unaware how quickly and insidiously duty and responsibility slip back into his life…..

This is a well-made film from the hands of a man that knows his craft well. Typical in it’s spiritually uplifting theme, this is Capra once again coming up trumps. The acting may seem a touch twee today (these were times before ‘the method’) but for it’s era, definitely a cast of quality.

A special mention must go to the restoration. In the 1960s, not one complete version of this movie existed and this restored copy had to be culled from a variety of sources. Because of this, the quality drifts from excellent to poor but is still (always)quite watchable. A complete 132 minute soundtrack existed but lacked seven minutes of footage – for this reason, there are scenes where production stills have been used to fill the gaps. These are small niggles and I’m just grateful that such a fine movie has not been allowed to deteriorate beyond repair.

One definitely worth saving. 8 out of 10

[littlemissattitude]

I remember seeing this film once, when I was a child, on television - when I was home sick from school one day, I think. I recall being entranced by it.

I made the mistake of going to see the remake from 1973. Please, please, please, people...if you want to see this film, see the version Foxbat reveiws here. Or read the book. But don't waste your time on the remake.