1937
British diplomat Robert Conway and other refugees crash-land in the Himalayas and are led to Shangri-La, a hidden valley where inhabitants live for centuries in peace. Robert falls in love with Sondra and is chosen by the dying High Lama to succeed him, while his brother George and others grow restless and wish to leave. Influenced by the deceptive Maria, George convinces Robert and the others to depart Shangri-La, but Maria rapidly ages and dies during their harsh journey, revealing the valley's power. Robert, suffering memory loss, eventually escapes England and embarks on a determined quest to find his way back to the lost horizon of Shangri-La.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A group of refugees led by Robert Conway escapes a war zone by plane only to crash-land in a mysterious Himalayan valley.
Open full beat sheetRobert Conway is listed as Protagonist. A British diplomat, soldier, and public hero. In the parsed data, Robert Conway is connected to 50 scenes, 183 dialogue lines, 185 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
50 scenes / 183 dialogue linesGeorge Conway is listed as Supporting. Robert's younger, vigorous brother. In the parsed data, George Conway is connected to 34 scenes, 112 dialogue lines, 112 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
34 scenes / 112 dialogue linesAlexander P. Lovett is listed as Supporting. A paleontologist, nervous and fussy. In the parsed data, Alexander P. Lovett is connected to 25 scenes, 58 dialogue lines, 59 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
25 scenes / 58 dialogue linesBarnard is listed as Supporting. An American businessman and embezzler. In the parsed data, Barnard is connected to 24 scenes, 63 dialogue lines, 67 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
24 scenes / 63 dialogue linesChang is listed as Supporting. An elderly Chinese man, guide to Shangri-La. In the parsed data, Chang is connected to 19 scenes, 65 dialogue lines, 91 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
19 scenes / 65 dialogue linesGloria Stone is listed as Supporting. A surly, wan-looking prostitute. In the parsed data, Gloria Stone is connected to 18 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
18 scenes / 16 dialogue linesSondra is listed as Supporting. A statuesque woman of rare beauty living in Shangri-La. In the parsed data, Sondra is connected to 8 scenes, 27 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 44.
8 scenes / 27 dialogue linesMaria is listed as Supporting. A young woman who arrived in Shangri-La in 1888. In the parsed data, Maria is connected to 6 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
6 scenes / 20 dialogue linesHigh Lama is listed as Supporting. The ancient, wise leader of Shangri-La. In the parsed data, High Lama is connected to 3 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
3 scenes / 23 dialogue linesConway and George evacuate refugees from the war-torn city of Baskul under fire.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Gloria Stone, Barnard, Alexander P. LovettConway and George manage the panicking refugees inside the office building.
Robert Conway, George ConwayConway attempts to coordinate more planes via radio.
Robert Conway, George ConwayConway organizes the final group of refugees for evacuation.
Robert Conway, Gloria StoneConway and George burn the hangar to provide light for landing planes.
Robert Conway, George ConwayConway and George board the final plane as bandits approach.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardThe passengers discuss their escape and Lovett's fossil discovery.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardBarnard attempts to engage Gloria in conversation, but she rejects him. George finds a bottle of whiskey and celebrates with Conway, who is being sent to England as Foreign Secretary.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Gloria Stone, BarnardConway, intoxicated, discusses his cynical views on politics and war with George while they fly.
Robert Conway, George ConwayThe passengers wake up and realize the plane is flying in the wrong direction. They discover a mysterious pilot in the cockpit.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardThe plane lands in a remote, mountainous area surrounded by strange natives.
Robert Conway, George ConwayThe plane crashes, and the passengers survive the impact. Conway and George discover the pilot is dead and realize they are in unexplored territory.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardGloria expresses her bitterness about her terminal illness while the group sits in silence.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardThe plane is covered in snow; Lovett and Barnard wait for the Conway brothers.
Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardLovett and Barnard discuss the missing brothers.
Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardConway and George return with mountain grass and a plan.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardThe group spots a caravan of natives.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Barnard, ChangThe group arrives at the entrance to Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, Barnard, ChangThe group gathers for a meal in the Lamasery.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardGloria suffers from her illness and is visited by Chang.
Gloria Stone, ChangChang hears Gloria coughing in her room and goes to check on her.
Chang, Gloria StoneChang attempts to comfort a sick and hostile Gloria, who demands a doctor.
Chang, Gloria StoneChang joins the group for dinner; they discuss their desire to leave.
Chang, Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardConway and George discuss their situation and the mystery of Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, George ConwayChang shows Conway the valley and discusses the nature of Shangri-La.
Chang, Robert ConwayGeorge explores the tower and meets Maria.
George Conway, MariaChang explains the philosophy of moderation to Conway.
Chang, Robert ConwayConway and Chang observe a man and a girl playing music; Chang promises Conway a future meeting.
Robert Conway, Chang, SondraConway and Chang discuss the logistics and history of Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, ChangChang tells Conway the story of Father Perrault and the founding of Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, ChangBarnard tells Gloria about his discovery of gold and his plans.
Gloria Stone, BarnardLovett writes in his journal about the mystery of Shangri-La.
Alexander P. LovettConway chases Sondra on horseback and later finds her swimming.
Robert Conway, SondraThe group gathers for dinner; Barnard notices Gloria's appearance.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardBarnard reveals his true identity as a disgraced businessman, causing a confrontation with Lovett and triggering George's outburst about being prisoners.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, BarnardGeorge attempts to find Chang by force, leading to a physical altercation with Conway.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Barnard, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria StoneConway revives George and confronts Chang, demanding answers about their captivity.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. Lovett, Gloria Stone, Barnard, ChangConway and Chang travel to the High Lama's chamber.
Robert Conway, ChangConway meets the High Lama, who explains the purpose of Shangri-La and why Conway was brought there.
Robert Conway, High LamaConway leaves the High Lama's chambers in a trance-like state.
Robert ConwayConway is intercepted by his companions who demand information about the porters.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Alexander P. LovettConway walks away from his companions into the garden.
Robert Conway, George ConwayConway wanders through the peaceful valley, interacting with locals.
Robert ConwayConway encounters Sondra conducting a children's choir.
Robert Conway, SondraConway and Sondra discuss his life and his presence in Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, SondraConway and Sondra discuss her history and his feeling of belonging.
Robert Conway, SondraBarnard drags a reluctant Lovett on an excursion.
Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardBarnard is entertained by local girls while Lovett catches up.
Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardLovett entertains native children with a story while Barnard watches, impatient.
Alexander P. Lovett, BarnardLovett writes in his journal, feeling happy and confident.
Alexander P. LovettGeorge meets Maria in the garden; she pleads for him to visit her.
George Conway, MariaConway and Sondra discuss the nature of the outside world and their feelings.
Robert Conway, SondraLovett expresses his appreciation for Shangri-La to Chang and offers to teach geology.
Alexander P. Lovett, ChangBarnard discusses his plumbing project with Conway; Conway tries to talk to George.
Robert Conway, George Conway, BarnardConway and Chang discuss Maria's history and the nature of aging in Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Chang, MariaConway questions Chang about his age, followed by an angry confrontation with George regarding the porters.
Robert Conway, Chang, George ConwayThe High Lama informs Conway that he is dying and bequeaths the leadership of Shangri-La to him.
Robert Conway, High LamaGeorge tries to convince Barnard and Lovett to leave Shangri-La with him.
Barnard, Gloria Stone, George Conway, Alexander P. LovettConway and George have a final confrontation about staying in Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, George ConwayConway and George argue about Maria leaving Shangri-La.
Robert Conway, George Conway, MariaThe group departs Shangri-La while Sondra watches.
Robert Conway, George Conway, Maria, Sondra, ChangThe group struggles through the journey; Maria ages and dies.
Robert Conway, George Conway, MariaConway is found alive.
Robert ConwayA clerk receives news of Conway's survival.
A clerk receives a cablegram from Gainsford regarding Robert Conway's return and memory loss.
The Assistant Secretary receives news that Conway has escaped the ship and is heading back to Tibet.
Lord Gainsford recounts his ten-month search for Robert Conway to a group of men.
Robert ConwayRobert Conway walks alone through a snowstorm toward a mysterious light on the horizon.
Robert ConwayLook at the world today! Is there anything more pitiful? What madness there is, what blindness, what unintelligent leadership! A scurrying mass of bewildered humanity crashing headlong against each other, propelled by an orgy of greed and brutality. The time must come, my friend, when this orgy will spend itself, when brutality and the lust for power must perish by its own sword. Against that time is why I avoided death and am here, and why you were brought here. For when that day comes, the world must begin to look for a new life. And it is our hope that they may find it here. For here we shall be with their books and their music and a way of life based on one simple rule: Be Kind.
I knew there was a reason I hated this place. I'd give half my life to fly over it with a load of bombs just for what they've done to you. How do you know the things they told you are true? Did they show you any proof? All this talk about the Lamas being hundreds of years old. How do you know? Did you see their birth certificates? I can't believe it, Bob. A bunch of decrepit old men sit around and dream about reforming the world. And you, Bob Conway - two-feet-on-the-ground Conway - want to join them. It's horrible.
I thought so! He tells everyone I'm old. He wants them to stay away from me. He can't stand it when anyone comes near. He's punished me for every minute I've spent with George. If it weren't for him, I would have been out of here long ago, but he always stops me. Six months ago, I tried to escape and he locked me in a dark room. I nearly went crazy. Look at me, Mr. Conway, do I look like an old woman? Is this the skin of an old woman? Look into my eyes and see if these are the eyes of an old woman?
I'm sure of it. Just as I'm sure there's a wish for Shangri-La in everyone's heart. I have never seen the outside world. But I understand there are millions and millions of people who are supposed to be mean and greedy. Yet I just know that secretly they are all hoping to find a garden spot where there is peace and security, where there's beauty and comfort, where they wouldn't have to be mean and greedy. Oh, I just wish the whole world might come to this valley.
You know, that's what makes the whole thing so funny. A guy like me starts out in life as a plumber - an ordinary, everyday, slew-footed plumber - and by the use of a little brains, mind you, he builds up a gigantic institution, employs thousands of people, becomes a great civic leader. And then the crash comes - and overnight he's the biggest crook the country ever had.
A little boy whistling in the dark!? Do you realize that there is a British cruiser waiting at Shanghai, smoke pouring out of its funnels, tugging at its moorings, waiting to take Mr. Conway back to London? Do you know that at this minute there are headlines shrieking all over the world the news that Conway is missing? Does that look like a man whose life is empty?
The High Lama? Who pays any attention to him? The porters laugh at the High Lama. All they want to know is how much gold he will give them. Well, I gave them more gold. I've been stealing it for a year. I'd do anything to get out of this place. To get away from that High Lama - the one who calls himself Father Perrault! Why, he's been insane for years!
Of course I have suspected that our being here is no accident. Furthermore, I have a feeling that we're never supposed to leave. But that, for the moment, doesn't concern me greatly. I'll meet that when it comes. What particularly interests me at present is, why was I brought here? What possible use can I be to an already thriving community?
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