64: LOST HORIZON
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(Year refers to British release)
Running Time: 132 minutes
Black/White
Estimated Attendance: 9.2 million
What they said at the time...
Synopsis
Modern adventure in an unknown land - a story with a philosophy based on James Hilton's novel. Robert Conway, British diplomatist, is evacuating the small white population from revolution at Baskul. On the last plane to leave, Conway travels with his brother George, Bamard, an absconding company promoter, Lovett, a fossil hunter, and Gloria Stone, a consumptive girl. Kidnapped by the Tibetan pilot, they are taken miles beyond civilisation to Shangri La, a kind of secular monastery, situated on a high plateau above the secluded and fertile Blue Valley, where Chang, the intellectual administrator of Shangri La welcomes them. The little kingdom is an Erewhon - a combination of a millionaire's garden playground, an economist's paradise, and Nirvana. Absence of causes for worry makes men and women in their sixties appear in their twenties. Gradually Conway and his friends, but not his brother, find contentment and a new non-commercial outlet for their talents. The High Lama, 200 years old, the founder and spiritual leader of Shangri La announces his approaching death to Conway and dying, bestows his mantle on him. But persuaded by his brother, Conway leaves for home with George and with Maria, an apparently young girl from Shangri La. The perilous journey ends in tragedy: Maria turns old before their eyes and George commits suicide. Conway discovered by missionaries is sent back to England; but en route the urge to return to Shangri La is too strong and he leaves the ship at Singapore. Years afterwards we are given to understand, he at last rediscovers Shangri La.
Review
The story is Utopian fantasy on a grand scale. But inordinate length has disadvantages. The fundamental difficulty is that once Shangri La is achieved the long passages of philosophical dialogue are not equal to the stupendous excitement of the kidnapping. The contrast between the Tibetan storm at 20,000 ft. and the sunny peace of Shangri La is perfectly achieved, and the sound effects are excellently blended to suggest atmosphere. The acting is good: Ronald Colman (looking like Mr. Eden) and E. E. Horton are admirable, and H. B. Wamer as Chang achieves natural sincerity and an outstanding performance; Thomas Mitchell is excellent as the company promoter; of the women, Isabel Jewell alone is equally convincing. Capra is not so happy with this vast canvas: there is little opportunity for the subtle humour which has marked his previous films. But the skill of the opening and the next to last sequences is unforgettable and the film is an outstanding essay in the epic class.
Synopsis and Review from Monthly Film Bulletin Vol.4 No.40 April 1937 p.82
The Monthly Film Bulletin was published by the BFI between 1934 and 1991. Initially aimed at distributors and exhibitors as well as filmgoers, it carried reviews and details of all UK film releases. In 1991, the Bulletin was incoporated into Sight and Sound magazine.
