MovieChat Forums > Lost Horizon (1973) Discussion > LOST HORIZON was unfairly judged

LOST HORIZON was unfairly judged

posted 16 years ago by cliffcarson-1
7 replies | jump to latest

I don't care what the critics said at the time. I read the reviews and I know their reasons. Lost Horizon was unfairly judged. Blame it partly on the times. This film was released in March of 1973, post CABARET. At that time a film with romantic pop musical sentiment didn't have a chance. Producer ROSS HUNTER and composer BURT BACHARACH had long been a target of people who resented their success. Both of them stuck their necks out in attempting to remake a classic. Especially one that contains the greatest romantic scene in all screen history like the one between Colman and Wyatt. For years both Hunter and Bacharach had enjoyed years of success. Hunter just coming off the biggest blockbuster in Universals history, AIRPORT. Critics thought they were right in criticizing that film too and yet AIRPORT defied the bad reviews. Let's face it, a film that is a romantic anti war musical fantasy is an easy target and probably the most difficult genre to pull off. LOST HORIZON is the only film ever made that can claim to be an anti war musical fantasy. The ONLY film. On top of that LH has a strong story and an important message. As a quirky pop musical it can be enjoyed more now than it was in 1973 and for a variety of reasons. Yeah, it's a camp riot, but it can also be relished for the message of SHANGRI-LA! How can anyone not be uplifted by this 1973 version, for whatever reason. It's a beautiful important story. Why shouldn't every generation have their version and concept of Shangri-La? Every mans Shangri-La is different. LOST HORIZON '73 is a classic that should always be revisited in one form or another.
As a musical it is one of the most unique musical films ever produced. Yeah, it's old fashion corn, but it also has that late 60' and early 70's feel to it. It boasts a unique international cast that is nothing short of being at the best time of their lives and careers.
Best of all, it is a Burt Bacharach/Hal David musical. That alone makes it original.

[–] gnolti 16 years ago

Yes, but if the film really were the hidden gem you say it is, later generations of viewers would have found out and it would be enjoying a second life with younger viewers. That happened with Wicker Man (1973) and The Swimmer (1968), but it is not happening with this one.

There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

[–] cliffcarson-1 16 years ago

I'll tell you why? Because LOST HORIZON has never been released on VHS or DVD. It's brief stint on Laser Disc doesn't count since most people didn't own them and that format was short lived. Lost Horizon does have a following. The fact that it was a critical and financial failure in this country is much too focused on. Nobody knows that LH made alot of money overseas. It made it's money back. Only in this country was it a financial failure. There is talk of finally releasing it on DVD.

[–] gnolti 16 years ago

Let's start a petition to have to released on DVD then. God knows they've already reissued tons of otherwise forgotten films with the new technology ("The Teacher," anybody?).

There, daddy, do I get a gold star?

[–] cliffcarson-1 16 years ago

I'm doing my part.

[–] coolplants 16 years ago

I'm not sure why people are saying that the VHS is not available. I've rented it from my local Video store several times in the past 3 or 4 years. Perhaps it's not available from the most common dealers? The version I've rented is fullscreen.
I see the DVD is available from www.yammeringmagpie.com
I discovered this movie one two different times after waking in the middle of the night, while ill. Both times were in the last 2/3rds of the movie or so where the monks were extinguishing their torches. Wierd. I finally got to see it and became enamored by the story.
I became attached to the story via this musical version. I later rented the B&W original version.
I'm not interested in debating merits of one verson versus another. I am attached to this version.
By the way, don't people view movies for the experience? I don't know about others but "I" disappear as well as my analytical mind. After the movie ends, I'm left with how the movie made me feel, not think.

[–] FromFireIsland 16 years ago

The music in this movie TOTALLY sucked. Utterly forgettable. If the music in a musical isn't memorable, the entire film fails.

[–] cliffcarson-1 16 years ago

Music is a very individual thing. Just because you don't like the score doesn't mean your word has any merit on whether the film or it's music is good or not. It's just your opinion. The fact that you could judge an entire score, rather than the songs individually says more about your cynicism and jadedness than anything you've said about the music.