Lost Horizon

Lost Horizon

Year: 1937

Runtime: 132 mins

Language: English

Director: Frank Capra

AdventureFantasyDramaRomanceHumanity and the world around us

British diplomat Robert Conway and a handful of civilians survive a crash in the Himalayas and are taken in by the secret, tranquil valley of Shangri‑La. Isolated by surrounding peaks, the utopian community shields them from the looming turmoil of World II, offering Conway a tempting refuge from the weariness of his world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Lost Horizon yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Lost Horizon (1937)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Lost Horizon (1937). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

May 1931

Set during the British Raj in India, the period is marked by imperial reach and regional unrest that just precedes a broader geopolitical shift. The hijacked flight propels the characters into a timeless retreat, juxtaposing contemporary politics with a mythic oasis. Shangri-La's miracle of aging and the High Lama's longevity anchor a meditation on time and memory within this interwar era.

Location

Baskul, Shangri-La (Karakal valley), Tibet, Chung-Kiang (Chongqing), Berlin

The narrative crosses remote British Raj outposts and a hidden Himalayan valley. Baskul in India serves as the evacuation flashpoint before the hijack. Shangri-La sits high in the Karakal mountains, a secluded refuge where modern comforts blend with mysticism. The frame story even touches Berlin's Tempelhof, hinting at a bridge between worlds and times.

🗺️ Travel 🏔️ Mountainous 🕰️ Historical

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:37

Main Characters – Lost Horizon (1937)

Meet the key characters of Lost Horizon (1937), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robert 'Bob' Conway (Ronald Colman)

The British consul drawn into the Shangri-La mystery. He embodies intellect, restraint, and a quiet openness to a life beyond empire, even as his duties tug him back toward reality. Conway's decisions hinge on balancing curiosity with responsibility, and his journey measures the cost of choosing between two worlds.

🧭 Ambition 🗺️ Intellectual 🕊️ Inner conflict

Henry D. Barnard (Thomas Mitchell)

An American passenger with capitalistic aims and a talent for pragmatism, Barnard represents opportunism within a crisis. His plans for wealth and escape collide with the moral and existential questions raised by Shangri-La. His trajectory highlights the tension between self-interest and the allure of a peaceful utopia.

🧭 Ambition 🛩️ Risk 🕰️ Secret past

Charles Mallinson

The British vice-consul who becomes entangled in romantic longing for Lo-Tsen and a desire to depart with the valley’s porters. He stands for pragmatism and personal desire clashing with the sanctuary’s ethos. Mallinson's choices test the limits of devotion, calculation, and what constitutes true loyalty.

💘 Love 🗺️ Pragmatism 🕰️ External goals

Lo-Tsen

A young Manchu postulant whose music and presence spark affection in both Mallinson and Conway. She embodies the valley’s beauty and the fragility of attachment, as her choice to depart triggers a cascade of consequences. Lo-Tsen acts as a catalyst for the characters’ moral and emotional tests within Shangri-La.

🎶 Artistry ❤️ Love 🧩 Catalysis

Miss Roberta Brinklow

A British missionary at Shangri-La who aims to impart a sense of sin and moral reform. She personifies external moral judgment contrasted with the valley’s inward peace. Brinklow’s perspective underscores the clash between imposed ethics and the sanctuary’s transformative quiet.

🕊️ Morality 🧭 Judgment 🗺️ Cultural clash

High Lama

The aging head of Shangri-La who is revealed to be Perrault, a monk of centuries, guiding the valley with both wisdom and the burden of an enduring life. His death marks a turning point that tests the illusion of timeless delight and the price of legacy. The High Lama represents authority sustained by a long, hidden history.

🧭 Wisdom 🕰️ Immortality 🗝️ Power

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:37

Major Themes – Lost Horizon (1937)

Explore the central themes of Lost Horizon (1937), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪷 Utopia vs Reality

Shangri-La appears as a peaceful sanctuary beyond the turmoil of the outside world. Yet beneath the calm lie stringent rules and hidden costs for those who stay or leave. The characters’ choices reveal whether paradise is a liberating escape or a gilded constraint. The story questions if happiness comes from freedom or surrender.

⏳ Time and Immortality

The valley’s aging-slowing effect and the High Lama’s centuries-long life probe the allure and danger of eternity. Leaving Shangri-La triggers rapid aging, forcing a reckoning with the value of time and vitality. Memory, memory-influence, and fidelity become the true measures of what lasts. The narrative uses immortality to examine ethical limits and personal sacrifice.

❤️ Duty vs Desire

Romantic tensions pull Conway, Mallinson, and Brinklow in competing directions, contrasting personal longing with duty. Mallinson’s pursuit of Lo-Tsen tests loyalty to the sanctuary versus the pull of love and escape. Conway’s inner conflict pits his obligations against the seductive life offered by Shangri-La. The tale uses romance to illuminate the pull between escapism and ethical responsibility.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:37

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Lost Horizon

Don't stop at just watching — explore Lost Horizon in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Lost Horizon is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Lost Horizon Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Lost Horizon, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Lost Horizon Summary

Lost Horizon Timeline

Track the full timeline of Lost Horizon with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Lost Horizon Timeline

More About Lost Horizon

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Lost Horizon: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Lost Horizon

Similar Movies to Lost Horizon

Discover movies like Lost Horizon that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.