Lost Horizon

An unusual film, especially for Capra. The pacing is really odd, and it certainly gives the film an otherworldly flavor. The sense of timing distinguishes Shangri-la from the rest of the world. Some of the characters are annoying, and Gloria is rather rudely pushed into the background after an early buildup. But those are minor quibbles... this is a good, entertaining flick.

The search for true peace, a sense of purpose, a willingness to give up the struggle that comes with being part of the 'real world'; themes I didn't expect to find in a fantasy film from the 30's. I found Lost Horizon to be surprisingly endearing, creating a unique sense of time and place. Colman is a sympathetic lead and the supporting cast delivers where needed. Yes, it's slow and devoid of conflict, but I found it very easy just to go with the flow and enjoy the lush visuals and atmosphere.

A terrific gem from the classical era with an illustrous, distinctly '30s-ish leading man in Colman. What a great story 'Lost Horizon' is, one that clearly must have served as a blueprint for the writers of 'Lost'. I found the mysterious aspects of Capra's big production completely gripping, setting me pondering whether or not the inhabitants were benignant and if the pastoral Shangri-La might be real (within the confines of the fictional world I mean so worry not).

What a spiritual film! So unique and mysterious. Ronald Colman is absolutely fantastic in this! He carries himself so well and with so little transmits the curiosity and doubts about this strange place. Another that was wonderful was Sam Jaffe. He was the human Yoda! Production values? Breathtaking.... Lost Horizon might move slowly and seem vague a lot of the time, but there is such a beauty to the message, the way it's communicated and the how it's shot that makes it almost an magical journey.

Every fan of the original star wars trilogy should see this. Numerous character similarities. Most notably, yoda, and jawas.

Obscure and absurd orientalist fantasy that is surely aware of what a fantastic dream it conjures. At the aesthetic level, trying earnestly to locate a pretty English paradise in Tibet does all sorts of confusing things, and yet I guess it has that buggy little warm thing humming away at the heart which was what made Capra's films so infectious, even the drivel.

What a shame Lost Horizon didn't survive intact. It's brilliant. It's stupid. It's sublime. Shangri-La lost in the mountains is a place one would dream of growing (not) old. It's a bit rigid in its characterisations but I still ended up invested in all the characters, none of them were forgettable.

Generally, I enjoyed this, even though the plot was as basic as they come, and the supporting cast was only there to mark time to make things more mysterious for the main character and for us (I enjoyed their performances though!). Oddly, Shangri-La looks like Southern California, and it has people who are "moderately happy" to be waitstaff for the lamas who don't seem to do much -- except, perhaps, to keep the dream alive.

Viewed November 15, 2021. This is full of intriguing passages and touches, but it never coalesces into a wholly satisfying work. It's also, along with Meet John Doe, a good example of Capra's largely incoherent politics. The first act is astonishing; Capra ably switches between tones, and the visual splendor - of the plane crash, the snowy mountains, the buildings of Shangri-La - is impressively scaled.

Now that's how you take a plane crash!

85.00

Very different film than most others being made around that time. I was expecting more of an action oriented, 'problems with utopia' kind of flick but was pleasantly surprised with the social philosophy and contemplative nature of the film. Ronald Coleman's introspective lead is nicely balanced by the supporting cast with anger, suspicion, and the occasional comic relief. Good stuff.

For such an old film Lost Horizon magically makes you feel the cold, the wind, the excitement and the romance, i.e the whole adventure, but in the end leaves you with a question: Why is it that the European interbellum ideals, of preservation, of "democracy" and "liberalism" are the ones that need to be saved, and namely as it is explicitly said in the film, the Christian ethic?

Interesting.

It's Capraesque, and at the same time it's not. The mix of hope with a dash of darkness is to be expected, and it's a really fun premise that allows for nice bits of creativity both visual and narrative. The whole thing is also very appropriate for the time it was made with the looming spectre of world war clearly influencing the film. Some of it is a little overdone, though, and I'm still not sure what to make of the ending.

There is a true air of mystery about LOST HORIZON, even after a plane full of allegorical symbols stumbles upon Shangri-La and starts investigating Big Ideas. Aside from a dullsville romantic subplot, this is Capra at his least cloying and a much more knowing distillation of his idealistic sensibilities.

Frank Capra #4

Lost Horizon - Capra's big budget adaptation of Voltairesque novel about man's search for a perfect world unspoiled by greed, ambition and war. Capra is best at socially conscious romantic comedies, and this adventure is a step to the different direction. His humanitarian sense is strong as ever, though. It could have been a great, thought provoking movie, if not for the strange pacing.

Fascinating story of a group of Europeans discovering a hidden paradise is impeccably crafted but suffers from severe over-acting from some cast members and uneven pacing. It is intriguing seeing a sci-fi mystery from Frank Capra, but it's a shame that it is held back by its flaws.

It's got its moments here and there, but suffers from the same problem that most early science fiction movies do, namely, that it had not actually distinguished itself from fantasy at that point. There was a lot of time where I was a bit bored and the story is a bit simplistic.

I watched this as a child, and it still resonates with me even after 4 decades.

Entertaining, old fashioned fantasy drama, built on a timeless concept.

Entertaining, with great chemistry among the characters. The end is largely allegorical, but that doesn't stop it from being enjoyable.

Genuinely epic. One of those great wide-eyed adventures.

A fun early adventure film, although the concept of equality in Shangri-la doesn't really stand up to much modern day scrutiny. White people live in luxury villas with all the creature comforts, natives live in wooden huts with no running water. Okaaaay. Some fun characters, though, particularly the reserved English palaeontologist (Horton) and his verbal sparring with the brash American conman (Mitchell).

remade as a crappy musical in 1973

Nietzsche's nightmare.

Entertaining little flick about Shangri-La. It really gets rolling once the plane crashes. Edward Horton is particularly amusing as 'Lovey'.

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