Cheap High Road to China (DVD) (Tom Selleck, Bess Armstrong) (Brian G. Hutton) Price

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Customer Reviews of High Road to China

1930's Style Adventure
Critics hated this film because it came on the heels of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and instead of embracing it for the film that it was, dismissed it as a cheap knockoff, which it wasn't. What it is, is an old fasioned and enjoyable 1930's style comedy adventure. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone who has actually seen this movie who didn't like it. As Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong bicker all across Asia searching for her father you'll find yourself smiling a lot.

Bess Armstrong is Eve Tozer, spoiled heiress deluxe. Her inventor father (Wilford Brimly) is missing and if she doesn't find him to prove he's alive she's going to lose daddy's fortune. She finds out he was last seen in Tibet and needs a pilot to help her go look for him. Patrick O'Malley (Tom Selleck) is a former WWI flying ace who has hit the bottle and enjoys it. He spends his time giving flying lessons in a WWI Camel when he's not drunk, and since that's not to often he could use the money and off they go.

The cinematography is luscious and there is a beautiful score by John Barry adding to this very likable adventure. Jack Weston as 'Struts' gives fine support, as does Robert Morely as Bentik, who sends killers after them as he will get control of the fortune if Eve does not. There are some pretty great scenes as they escape one scrape after another trying to stay alive.

The best thing about this terrific and enjoyable film is Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong. Their wonderful chemistry saves this meandering adventure more than once as they fight and bicker and bicker and fight all the way across Asia, and of course, fall in love. You'll wonder why Bess Armstrong didn't become a star after you see this. There is just something about her in this film that is hard to define. Selleck gives his typical, great, tongue in cheek performance. Critics might not have got it, but Selleck knows what kind of film he's in.

This is pure escapist entertainment and is the perfect film to watch with your wife or girlfried or daughter. It's just a lot of fun. You might have to pay a little more for this one but it's worth it. You'll be watching this one for a long time to come...

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A seriously under-rated movie
I am glad that the reviews here on Amazon give this movie four stars. I completely agree with it. This movie has a lot of the grandeur and splendor that make movies enjoyable.

Based shortly after World War I, the basis for the story is that society dame Eve (Bess Armstrong) must find her lost father. If she doesn't she risks losing the fortune that he and his partner built with their company. Upon finding the often-drunk and highly-argumentative WWI flying ace O'Malley (Tom Selleck) and his faithful mechanic "Struts" (the late Jack Weston), she hires them and their two biplanes to go in search of her father. This leads them on an unexpected trip to Waziristan, Nepal, and finally China.

One distinction must be made clear: this is NOT an action/adventure. This movie is very clearly drama/adventure. Some parts of it can be dry, but the light humor and absolutely GORGEOUS scenery help to move this movie along.

What really helps to complete this movie is the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, composed by John Barry, who is more famous for his score to "Dances with Wolves". If you're familiar with the DWW score, you will hear some of the same motifs and structures in sections throughout "High Road to China".

Unfortunately, this movie has never been released in widescreen AS ALL MOVIES SHOULD BE. As a result, you can see some humorous gaffes. The most evident is when O'Malley flips his plane to dispose of an unwanted passenger. The plane is supposed to be several hundred feet in the air, yet the open-matte release of this movie lets you clearly see the unmoving trees that are only a few dozen feet tall at the bottom of the frame. Yet another reason why this movie deserves a proper, WIDESCREEN release.

Even with such evident mistakes, if you are in the mood for a gentle, medium-paced drama with a good story, absolutely unbelievable scenery, and gorgeous music, you have got to give "High Road to China" a try.

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Still Waiting for the DVD
I just wanted to express exasperation at why this fabulous movie hasn't yet made it to DVD. This is one of my favorite movies of all time because it has many of my favorite movie elements: a strong feisty woman and a stubborn georgous man get thrown together in a whirlwind adventure in the 1920s. The chemistry! The scenery! The humor! What a great story! I will probably order the VHS because I really want to watch it again. But let it be known I am waiting for the DVD!!!!