Lost Horizon (1973 film)
A 1973 musical remake with a cult following.
Lost Horizon is a 1973 musical fantasy adventure drama film directed by Charles Jarrott and starring an ensemble cast including Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann, Sally Kellerman, George Kennedy, Michael York, Olivia Hussey, Bobby Van, James Shigeta, Charles Boyer, and John Gielgud. Produced by Ross Hunter, it is a remake of Frank Capra's 1937 film of the same name, with a screenplay by Larry Kramer, both adapted from James Hilton's 1933 novel. The film was lambasted by critics upon release but later developed a strong cult following.
- Release Year
- 1973
- Director
- Charles Jarrott
- Producer
- Ross Hunter
- Screenwriter
- Larry Kramer
- Source Material
- James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon
- Notable Cast
- Peter Finch, Liv Ullmann, Sally Kellerman, George Kennedy, Michael York, Olivia Hussey, Bobby Van, James Shigeta, Charles Boyer, John Gielgud
- Genre
- Musical fantasy adventure drama
Lore & Background
Despite being a box office disappointment in America, the film was financially successful overseas. It was selected for inclusion in the book The Fifty Worst Films of All Time by critic Michael Medved and is listed in John Wilson's The Official Razzie Movie Guide as one of The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made. The soundtrack was more successful than the film, peaking at No. 56 on the Billboard 200, and produced commercially successful singles including 'Living Together, Growing Together' by The 5th Dimension.
Reader's Guide
Lost Horizon (1973) is notable as the final film produced by Ross Hunter and for its unusual structure as a musical where songs do not feature throughout; the first song appears over 40 minutes in, and the final number ends with half an hour remaining. The score was heavily cut after the roadshow release, with several songs restored only for laserdisc. Composer Burt Bacharach cited the film as nearly ending his career, stating the songs worked in isolation but not in context, and the experience destroyed his partnership with lyricist Hal David. The film's cult following contrasts with its initial critical lambasting and inclusion in lists of worst films. Its selection for a Command Film Performance before Queen Elizabeth marks a unique honor for an American film at that time.
Did You Know?
- Composer Burt Bacharach stated that Lost Horizon nearly ended his musical career and led to the end of his partnership with Hal David.
- Of the lead actors, only Sally Kellerman, Bobby Van, and James Shigeta performed their own singing; others were dubbed.
- The soundtrack was more commercially successful than the film, peaking at No. 56 on the Billboard 200.
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