This film rather defies genre classification and I suspect that's a reason why it's underappreciated. An extremely attractive kooking action/adventure film with bits of comedy and some romance, it also features two very attractive actors in Bess Armstrong and Tom Sellect. The story is uncomplicated, and if it suffers from anything, it's an ending that's anticlimatic and that is wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly. There's a few loose ends but that's quibbling. Bess Armstrong has never looked lovelier and Selleck has rarely looked more shop worn before his later westerns, while retaining his usual self deprecating, dashing persona. Furthermore, they share on screen chemistry that makes the romance of two unlikely partners work well. I'll leave the plot for others. Watch the film for a nearly perfect and wonderful John Barry score (the main theme is nearly identical to the main Out of Africa theme also written by Barry), marvelous biplane stunt flying, aerial cinematography, Bess Armstrong's smile, and an uncharacteristic Tom Selleck performance.
Review of High Road to China
