ThiefHott Too much of everything

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Unlimitedia Sick Product of a Sick System

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

JohnHowardReid Copyright 2 March 1937 by Columbia Pictures Corp. of California, Ltd. New York opening at the Globe, 3 March 1937. U.S. release: 1 September 1937. U.K. release: April 1937. 14 reels. 133 minutes. (Available on an excellent Sony DVD).SYNOPSIS: Survivors of an airplane crash in the Himalayas are rescued by the mysterious inhabitants of Shangri-La.NOTES: Prestigious Hollywood award, Stephen Goosson, Art Direction. Prestigious Hollywood award, Gene Havlick and Gene Milford, Film Editing. Also nominated for Best Picture (The Life of Emile Zola); Supporting Actor, H. B. Warner (Joseph Schildkraut in The Life of Emile Zola); Assistant Director, C. C. Coleman (Robert Webb for In Old Chicago); Music Score (100 Men and a Girl); Sound Recording (The Hurricane).Number 4 on the annual Film Daily poll of U.S. film critics (after The Life of Emile Zola, The Good Earth and Captains Courageous). Negative cost: $2 million.COMMENT: One of the wonders of 30s cinema, it is astonishing that "Lost Horizon" is shown so infrequently to-day, as it certainly has all the qualities so beloved of the "new" audience: an escapist plot with vigorously staged action, staggeringly innovative sets, a rousing, full-throat music score, and above all, dazzling special effects that emphasize horrific make-up. Doubtless both the theatrical and television objection is that the movie is not in color. We shall have to wait for a hideously "colorized" version. So far as Australian audiences were concerned, "Lost Horizon" was the decade's most popular movie. According to box-office statistics, every man, woman and child in the country saw the film (though the figures are distorted by the fact that a lot of people saw the movie more than once). Nevertheless, I've rarely met any reasonably mature people who didn't see "Lost Horizon". Even people like my grandfather who despised movies, considering them a penny farthing entertainment for tu'penny ha'penny people, counted "Lost Horizon" as one of his fondest pleasures. People like my mother, who rarely had the opportunity to visit a cinema during the Depression years, saw Lost Horizon. Even laid-off workers on the dole, who were forbidden to spend their benefit at the pictures, risked their entitlement. (Fortunately, most Inspectors looked the other way)."Lost Horizon" was the talk of the country. It was the high point of picture-making. It combined a gripping plot and a welcome message (with war-clouds again threatening) with wonders that stunned the eye and ear.Thanks to Capra's masterful direction, Sam Jaffe's staggering performance, Stephen Goosson's awesome sets, Ern Westmore's riveting make-up, Dimitri Tiomkin's cascading score, "Lost Horizon" has lost little of its power.

elvircorhodzic LOST HORIZON is a fantasy adventure directed by Frank Capra. An adaptation, with certain modifications, the novel by British writer James Hilton. My first impression was a little strange. I think this film is a little too much so for Capra, and the studio too. Of course, I am aware of the restoration of the film. The story is not bad, but it's pretty quiet. Simply, in the adventure film has to be certain "adrenaline culmination". Photography is excellent. Obviously Capra gave attention almost every detail. Some scenes look impressive. I think that the characters in the film are not fully defined. Designed dialogue missing. Acting is kind of wooden at times. The chemistry between the actors is also not very high.Colman as R. Conway from the very beginning of the film easily accept things like that is something expected. In this relationship does not make sense. Horton (Lovett), Mitchell (Barnard) and Jewell (Gloria) are the embodiment of a bit confusing changes. Howard (G. Conway) is a rebel who does not want to accept the truth that brings peace and prosperity. I would say that he lacks faith. H.B. Warner (Chang) is moderate philosopher who with his power attracts people. Jaffe (High Lama) is vague and mystical character. I would say some kind of prophet.The movie is a bit boring. Capra in an attempt to create something magnificent. Overall, not too bad.

poindexter_mellon I was probably 7 years old when I saw this on TV and it had a powerful effect on me. The search for Shangri-La where everything was peaceful and beautiful. The wise and ancient High Lama who knew all the answers to all of life's mysteries. I knew right then that I would be following in the footsteps of Ronald Colman.So yeah, I finally made it, I'm sitting here in the Valley Of The Blue Moon writing this movie review and having all my needs attended to by friendly native girls! What a life, and I owe it all to being inspired by this great film when I was just a young and troubled nitwit.You should show it to your kids too, but do it while they are very young, before they have seen too many action movies or video games, or else they might just roll their eyes and be bored with the lack of explosions, in which case you'll know it's already too late for them.

Blueghost Sayeth Captain James T. Kirk, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise.Why did I quote a science fiction captain of a TV show totally unrelated to a film from 1937? Because "Lost Horizon" deals with finding heaven on Earth, and dispensing with a lot of the egotistical walls we erect for ourselves to protect our pride."Lost Horizon" is, in essence, a story about individuals who are frustrated by the conventions of society to the breaking point as Communist Chinese forces sweep across China, setting everything alight. The main characters escape, or so they think, only to begin another adventure.This film examines the character and behavioral pitfalls that can get exaggerated and ruin our personality if we don't deal with them in some shape or form. The characters in "Lost Horizon" are the epitome of what we might call our flaws, or traits of mankind. The legendary "Shangri La" is a place where those frustrations can be dealt with in one form or another. But does paradise come with freedom? At what cost do all your dreams come? Maybe it's time to watch Captain Kirk in "This Side of Paradise"."Lost Horizon" is actually a ground breaking film in a philosophical approach to addressing frustrations of mankind. Ah, but not in the social vein that the casual reader of my review might think. For that you'll have to live some more.Well shot, this black and white film shows how medium master shots can carry the day for a film. Technically it's a very good film with few flubs. It is dated, but I think stands the test of time.I'm not a huge fan of the film, though I understand it far much better than I did as a boy when I used to see it as a kid on TV. At the time I dismissed it as a simple adventure story. Looking at it with adult eyes, I see it with a far more worldly mindset, and now understand why the film was given praises by past generations (although I've yet to make up my mind entire about it).For the younger viewer, it is a slow film. But, if you've had a lot of world experience, then you should have a gander at this film, by try not to understand it all at once and right away. Just accept it for what it is, and enjoy it.A bit slow, full of intrigue and adventure, an interesting bit of escapism that might lead you craving for your own slice of reality and nirvana all at once.In short, Captain Kirk was commenting on living in bliss in a hospital like environment where nothing can hurt you, and all your desires are met. Even though Shatner spoke those words for his character some 30+ years later, it is applicable, because this is what Shangri La, in actuality, is; a hospital.