Theatrical release poster for Lost Horizon (Columbia, 1937) is a classic adventure and fantasy story of the search for a utopian world.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘utopia’ as “a place of ideal perfection, especially in laws, governments and social conditions.” This word is also described as “an impractical scheme for social improvement” and as “an imaginary place or indefinitely remote place.” This third variation on the meaning of ‘utopia’ best describes the movie up for discussion his week: Lost Horizon from 1937. The particular form of utopia depicted in this story strikes me as the least probable of all – yet is still a very fascinating topic for discussion.
Certainly, at some point in our lives most of us start realizing and feeling anxious about our own mortality – and the concept or fantasy of a utopia (of some sort) becomes more and more appealing. Of course, just what a utopian ideal should be varies greatly depending on the point of view. Utopian dreams and desires can take many forms beyond an artist’s vision or a Hollywood interpretation. Nevertheless, Lost Horizon depicted an enticing utopian idyll nestled away in a Himalayan valley that is still widely regarded today.
Though watching old, black & white movies would be like a kiss of death for most present audiences, still; the story of Lost Horizon provides more than just escapist entertainment for viewers of any time period. Since coping with conditions in our present world becomes more aggravating, stressful and mentally challenging all the time – the need for a temporary physical and/or mental escape to ‘re-group’ ourselves becomes central and urgent to our overall well-being (which is just what the main characters of the movie experience. The ideals depicted in Lost Horizon (particularly the calm, placid and contemplative atmosphere) are what stand out in my mind now.
The first time I saw the film was nearly 32 years ago and my understanding and appreciation of it then was rather different than my feelings for it today. Originally, one of the main reasons why Lost Horizon appealed to me was because I saw it as an adventure tale, but also as a 17 year old having my own apartment there was finally the freedom to watch whatever movies and tv shows I wanted to watch – and could watch them whenever I wanted to! On a more important (but still not fully formed level) it presented a vastly different viewpoint from what I had been taught growing up in a manipulative religious setting as a Jehovah’s Witness.
Their view of ‘utopia’ or ‘paradise’ was a very narrow and coercive interpretation compared to anything shown in Lost Horizon. The thrust of much Christian teachings (and Jehovah’s Witnesses are well known for this) is continuous brainwashing, conditioning and hoops that must be jumped through to obtain eternal life in the paradise of their spotless , untainted vision; where everyone is sublimely happy worshipping the lord of the “one true religion.” Lost Horizon does not notably embrace strict religious dogmas as the key to personal fulfillment or as a gateway to utopia or nirvana.
The Lost Horizon world view is hardly absorbed with doctrine and dogma, where a domineering central authority or ‘committee’ (typical of religious originations like Jehovah’s Witnesses) thoroughly worms its way into every aspect of life and all members are controlled by the dictates of a few (much like a cult!) In a genuine utopian world (if such a thing could ever exist) it would be wrong to completely subsume your own being and personality at every turn; always under pressure to measure up to the expectations and demands of others. In any event, at this stage of my life Lost Horizon takes on greater resonance as I’ve come to terms with my own mortality – something which seemed rather abstract and murky when I first watched this at 18. Once that mortality is truly grasped … why waste the remainder of life living to the dictates of someone or something else that ultimately promises you nothing?
Another point that really stands out much more to me now compared to 30-odd years ago is the lack of pervasive media in the narrative of the film! On a basic level, the characters of Lost Horizon have an amazing opportunity to put aside the fears, strife and poisonous culture of their world to find a Shangri-La or utopia in which to alter their lives for the better. The contemplative, placid atmosphere the characters encounter is certainly in stark contrast to our present world of 2020 with the constant negative refrain and toxicity of the media (both the news and the so-called social variety)which bombards us from every direction.
Of course, the the era of Lost Horizon was hardly ideal by any stretch either. This was a time of severe, world-wide economic depression and mounting political and social oppression in much of Europe and Asia which would explode into the mass catastrophe of World War Two within two and a half years of the film’s March, 1937 release date. The basic premise of the film is about a man of prolific activities – a writer, soldier and diplomat who is supposed to be leaving China and returning to Britain to become the new Foreign Secretary. However, before this can take place ; he is under enormous pressure to be heroic – expected to rescue some 90 westerners from a remote location before China descends into complete anarchy and revolution. Hmm … not much different from what continues to happen in much of the world today.
Anyway, without spoiling the story for those who may want to watch this movie; though a bizarre set of circumstances the main character; Robert Conway (played by British actor Ronald Colman) and a few of the evacuees are whisked off to the far reaches of the Himalayas where they are rescued and taken to paradise-like valley (the Shangri-La where Conway eventually meets the High Lama – – and finds out this was no accident. Eventually, each of the characters has to make a tremendous, life altering decision: choose to stay in the Shangri-La or return to their former lives. Ultimately, what impresses me most about Lost Horizon is that Conway comes to the realization that he’s done with trying to be everything to everyone (does that sound familiar?) and is shown a higher purpose in life aside from the accolades and high-powered career. The need to find peace and calm; the need to be reflective.
Then again, life is not a movie … but at some point we all need to have some sort of utopian escape – at various points in our lives to recharge and not go utterly nuts – even if it’s not in the far off Himalayas.
