MovieChat Forums > Lost Horizon (1937) Discussion > Best American Movie Ever Made?

Best American Movie Ever Made?

posted 18 years ago by IceboxMovies
8 replies | jump to latest

Just watched Lost Horizon and I was completely blown away... SO blown away, that I started contemplating on whether or not I should consider it to be the greatest American film of all time. At the time I was watching it I was comparing it to Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind and The Godfather... and yet it still seemed to top them all. Towards the end, that lucid feeling started to wear off a little (I sort of wish it had ended with Robert running into Sondra's arms, to make for an unfortgettable final shot) but otherwise, I still consider this film to be not just Frank Capra's masterpiece, but also one of cinema's all-time best. I love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!

So, what do you think? I wouldn't consider it to be the BEST MOVIE EVER MADE PERIOD, but would any of you at least consider it to be the greatest film among all AMERICAN pictures?

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"This is no mine. It's a tomb."

[–] elm0catt 18 years ago

just want to comment that if you own the DVD there is an alternate ending that the studio imposed upon Capra and played for the 1st week and a half upon release. Capra then changed it back to his original ending that is what we all have seen for the past 70 years.
The studio imposed ending appears to be just what you are looking for....same as ending now except it is Sondra at the ladder waiting for him and they run into each others arms.
Personally I'm glad Capra changed it as it changes Conway's motivation somewhat to give the feeling he was returning for her and not his peaceful dream of a better place.

[–] IceboxMovies 18 years ago

I don't have the DVD yet, but that sounds like a friggin sweet alternate ending!

About my title for this thread, I don't know why I ever thought it could possibly be the Best American Movie Ever Made... that feeling definately hasn't stayed with me. Still, this is an awesome movie and I can't wait to snag the DVD. I know I'll cherish it forever!

************************************
"This is no mine. It's a tomb."

[–] puirt-a-beul 18 years ago

icebox, I tend to think it's not really possible to single out a "Best Ever" film in any genre or grouping, let alone overall.

But that said: Lost Horizon is definitely, in my opinion, an enduring and profound film that retains its power to charm and affect. It's an extraordinary film, for certain.

[–] IceboxMovies 18 years ago

Yeah, I've cooled off since then. But still, in the moment, this seems like such a crisp, refreshing slice of cinema that it just sweeps you away. I guess it's because I have a thing for Utopia films (Minority Report, Logan's Run, Pleasantville, The Matrix), because this film is the stuff. I don't know how Capra did it, but he deserves a million crowns for it.

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"This is no mine. It's a tomb."

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] JacquesDemy 18 years ago

Interesting comment. When I first saw this film, I was expecting an ordinaly happy ending with a romantic reunion climax. After a little while, I began to realize the empty ladder trick is much better. It is more subtle, more sentimental and creates a sense of reality and uncertainty. As to Conway's motivation, I dont think he was really pursuing a better place or peaceful dream, it is love that made him risk his life coming back. Or in another word, Sondra is his Shangri-La.

[–] CarolynK 18 years ago

Any film deserving such praise should be one that stands the test of time. For that to happen, the film would need to be one that isn't so racist as to practice what is known as role segregation. This is common in older Hollywood films and is exemplified in Lost Horizon. For example, the character of Chang was considered by the casting board to be too large of a role to be portrayed by an Asian actor, and therefore the role was given to H.B. Warner, who through racist cosmetology, was supposed to appear Asian. If you want to credit Capra with a true masterpiece, you'd probably have to consider something more like It's a Wonderful Life.

[–] DirtyGrainius 17 years ago

Totally erroneous point. I can find evidence of the kind to different degrees in plenty of movies, even the best ones, up until the 1980's. You find it all the time in other cultures. Why should the film be detracted from because it wasn't an "Asian" playing an "Asian". That's moronic. They are actors, and playing different parts is the core of an actor's existence. Would it be different if absolutely NO Asians lived in the U.S.A? Then would it be ok then if a "white" actor played an "Asian"? I've seen "Asian" films with some actors in black-face and afro wigs on, or using "racist cosmetology" to appear as "white" people. I've seen African plays where actors have been painted white to represent white men. I've seen men play women and women play men in every culture. I've seen actors play apes, and other actors play giant city destroying lizards. I've seen movies where dogs and chimps played the roles of people. ANYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY ANYBODY. It's racist to say a white shouldn't be able to play an Chinese, or a Chinese shouldn't play a black, or a black shouldn't play a native American, etc. It's racist when you tell races THEY CAN'T because they're a certain race. It's called ACTING, AND NOT BEING, for a reason. Give us a break and get real. NOTHING cultural which isn't isolated "stands the test of time", and your views won't even stand the test of time because they don't account for an EVER evolving species/culture. Get Real.

"Inside the dusters there were 3 men"..."So?"....."Inside the men there were 3 bullets" - d{^_^}b