Fantasy about Asia
When Westerners were troubled by world war and the Depression, some of them found a utopia in Tibet /or China,or wherever eastern...all right..in this movie, Chinese living in inland region were a group of mob, and these Westerners were dying to flee to the "civilized" Shanghai. The Chinese pilot hijack the plane and eventually killed himself. In the utopia(Shangri-la) the Western group was eventally led into, Asians were a group of faceless labors who seemed to enjoy the actually despotic rule of the High Lama and his agent Mr.Chang. But above all, this Asian utopia was a highly westernized colony-- Architecture,room and table setting, candles, chairs, forks and knives, nude American woman swimming, english speaking everywhere...but Western men are almost all dressed in traditional Chinese costume! Is this a Western tourist group that enjoys vacation in a Western hotel located in Asia? Obviously the characters don't have to do any job there but can still have fun and free meal--certainly they start to like it there. It is said in the movie that people living there don't use money, but that doesn't mean that nobody has to work: think about those local labors. Perhaps I can't expect too much of a 1930's movie, but the film is indeed characterized by shallow cultural exoticism and orientalist imagination that will make every Chinese laugh.

Golden Oldie
A great movie of yesteryear. While some of the video is missing none of the audio is so you can keep up with the plot. What is needed today is more movies like "Lost Horizon" and not the sex filled or gory movies of today. I have watched this movie a number of times and plan on watching it again. This is the only Ronald Coleman movie I have but will purchase more of his movies.

Lost Horizon, a classic found
I had seen this movie when I was in school, we read the book and then watched the movie. I loved it then and I love it now. Thanks to the company who worked to restore it.

Should Have Stuck To The Book
This movie has badly transformed the original plot from a wonderful philosophical arguement into a romantic drama with minor characters of study replaced with romantic saps to satify the director and the audience. I wish they had stayed with book's plot which as always is infinitely better than any movie.

It's a pity that much of the film was lost or destroyed, only to be replaced with glaring ugly stills - which - given the sharp contrasts of black and white film, seem to frighten rather than inspire. The missing scenes should not have been replaced by stills with dialogue. All in all, I like the idea of Shangri-La but have no interest in any romance. In a way, the movie ruined the book for me.

Hark back to Shangri-La
Do yourself and your family a favor and rent this brilliantly restored 1937 classic, based on James Hilton's 1933 novel, featuring the gallantry of Ronald Colman and the innocence of Jane Wyatt. This masterful suspense story of an airplane kidnapping and its eventual landing in the fictional city of Shangri-la in the Himalayas offers up timeless questions such as What is the meaning of life and How do we want to spend our time here on earth.

Eastern mystical philosophy is contrasted with the materialism of the west while characterizations of the more mellow Asians are juxtaposed with the often self-absorbed Britishers. Amongst the spectacular and surprising architecture of the spiritual city, we find ourselves asking: Mightn't I incorporate more seeking of Shangri-la in my own life?

Instead of purchasing this film which includes the fascinating behind-the-scenes story of its creation (selection of Sam Jaffe for the role of head monk, plus tension between director Frank Capra and producer Harry Cohen) donate the money to a charity of your choice!