This 1973 musical, based on a novel by James Hilton, is a romantic adventure about a mystical paradise of eternal happiness where poverty, illness, and ageing are unknown.
The novel was initially produced as a (non-musical) film by Frank Capra in 1937 and immediately became a classic.
The story opens as five travellers take the last plane out of a revolution-torn Asian country.
They are British diplomat Richard Conway (Peter Finch), an eminent philosopher and pacifist; his younger brother George (Michael York), a jaundiced newspaper reporter; writer Sally Huges (Sally Kellerman); comedian Harry Lovett (Bobby Van), and engineer Sam Cornelius (George Kennedy).
Once airborne, the pilot informs them that he is hijacking the aircraft. The plane makes a crash landing in a blinding snowstorm, and the survivors are met by a mysterious guide who leads them to a Tibetan oasis literally in the middle of nowhere.
The group is introduced to Shangri-La, a Himalayan retreat where the art, culture, and accumulated knowledge of the world are being preserved in anticipation of the day when all-out war will destroy human civilisation.
The High Lama of Shangri-La (Charles Boyer) is over 200 years old and approaching the end of his reign. He seeks a successor and chooses Richard Conway.
Norwegian star Liv Ullmann plays Catherine, the Shangri-La teacher with whom Richard falls in love. John Gielgud plays Change, the High Lama’s right-hand man.
When Conway’s younger brother, George, decides that Shangi-La is too sickly, he leaves with a local beauty named Maria (Olivia Hussey). Unfortunately, Maria becomes an old crone as soon as she hits the outside world.
The music was provided by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by his frequent collaborator, Hal David. Professional vocalists Jerry Whitman and Diana Lee provided the singing voices for Peter Finch and Liv Ullmann. Andra Willis did the singing for Olivia Hussey.
The movie was a box-office and critical failure.
Richard Conway
Peter Finch Catherine
Liv Ullmann Sally Hughes
Sally Kellerman Sam Cornelius
George Kennedy George Conway
Michael York Maria
Olivia Hussey Harry Lovett
Bobby Van Brother To-Lenn
James Shigeta High Lama
Charles Boyer Chang
John Gielgud Bill Ferguson
Kent Smith Dr Verden
John Van Dreelen Asian Pilot
Larry Duran Nurse
Miiko Taka Col. Rawley
Hedley Mattingly Ritual wife
Virginia Ann Lee Dancer
Tybee Brascia
The story opens as five travellers take the last plane out of a revolution-torn Asian country.
The High Lama of Shangri-La (Charles Boyer) is over 200 years old and approaching the end of his reign. He seeks a successor and chooses Richard Conway.
