High Road to China (1983)

During WW1, an alcoholic American biplane pilot is hired by the spoiled daughter of an industrialist to find her father who disappeared in Asia.

Director:

Brian G. Hutton

Writers:

Jon Cleary (novel), Sandra Weintraub (screenplay) (as Sandra Weintraub Roland)

Stars:

Tom Selleck, Bess Armstrong, Jack Weston

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Selleck	...	Patrick O' Malley
Bess Armstrong	...	Eve
Jack Weston	...	Struts
Wilford Brimley	...	Bradley Tozer
Robert Morley	...	Bentik
Brian Blessed	...	Suleman Khan
Cassandra Gava	...	Alessa
Michael Sheard	...	Charlie
Lynda La Plante	...	Lina (as Lynda Marchal)
Timothy Carlton	...	Officer
Shayur Mehta	...	Ahmed
Terry Richards	...	Ginger
Jeremy Child	...	Silversmith
Peter Llewellyn Williams	...	Franjten Khan
Dino Shafeek	...	Satvinda (as Dino Shaffer)

Storyline

A biplane pilot is saddled with a spoiled industrialist's daughter on a search for her missing father through Asia that eventually involves them in a struggle against a Chinese warlord.

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Plot Keywords:

pilot | missing father | warlord | world war one | country name in title | 

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Taglines:

Take the high road to adventure!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The nickname of Eve Tozer (Bess Armstrong) was "Evie". The character is billed in the closing credits only as Eve, even though the character's father is billed as Bradley Tozer (Wilford Brimley).

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Goofs

When Eve Tozer tells Charlie Shane that she couldn't live without money after he told her that her father should be declared dead, she smokes a cigarette. In the next cut the cigarette is gone.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Patrick O' Malley: You know, I only made one real mistake.
Evie: What was that?
Patrick O' Malley: I should have sold you when I had the chance.

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Connections

Referenced in Flight (2012)

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Soundtracks

Oh When the Saints
Traditional
[Heard on a gramophone in Nepalese village]

User Reviews

Q: Would I watch it again? A: Yes!

This is one of those films I never tire of. I watched it several times during the 80s, then laid off it for a while during the 90s (mostly due to a long stint without cable), and have recently rediscovered it since getting satellite. I am glad I gave it such a long time before going back to it, because I had forgotten the gorgeous scenery, the snappy one-liners, and the dead-on acting. Everyone is believable and several scenes, such as when O'Malley explains his theory on Eve's family genetics, verge on hysterical. The romance isn't overdone, and the language is fairly mild, with no references to feces or intercourse to be found. Even by 1983 standards, it's pretty tame.

All in all, if not an excellent film, a competent one, and eminently suited for filling up a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Details

Country:

USA Yugoslavia Hong Kong

Language:

English German

Release Date:

18 March 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cesta do Cíny

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$19,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,156,049, 20 March 1983

Gross USA:

$28,445,927

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$28,445,927

Company Credits

Production Co:

City Films, Golden Harvest Company, Jadran Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1