China Clipper: Bogart in the cockpit, but at what cost?

Should you watch China Clipper today? If you like old-school ambition dramas or just want to see a very young Humphrey Bogart playing a guy who probably wouldn't be fun at a dinner party, then sure. It’s a bit dusty, and the pacing is definitely from another century. If you need constant movement or modern slickness, you’ll probably find this thing a total snooze.

Bogart plays Dave Logan, the kind of guy who thinks 'no' is just a suggestion. It’s weird seeing him as this earnest, driven visionary instead of the cynical guy leaning against a wall in a trench coat. He’s all about the mission. Honestly, watching him steamroll everyone around him is kind of fascinating, even when he’s being a complete jerk to his crew.

The flying scenes are… well, they’re dated. You get a lot of shots of model planes against painted backdrops. But there’s a strange, clunky charm to it. It’s not trying to trick you with CGI; it’s just showing you the scale of the thing with whatever they had in the prop shop. It’s got that specific, honest grit you don't really see anymore.

The movie is mostly about the obsession. Logan wants to cross the Pacific, and he doesn't care who gets burned in the process. It reminded me a bit of the single-mindedness you see in Body and Soul, where the goal starts eating the person alive. It doesn't quite hit that level of intensity, though.

There's this one moment where Logan is looking over a map, and the camera lingers for way too long. I think the editor just fell asleep? It’s awkward, but it gives you a second to actually look at the details in the room. Why is there a random globe on that desk? Why does everyone have so many pencils? It’s those little things that make it feel like a real set and not just a soundstage.

Some random notes from the notepad:

• The uniforms are incredibly crisp. Like, suspiciously crisp.
• The dialogue is very fast. Everyone talks like they’re trying to win a bet.
• Bogart really knows how to stare at a horizon.
• Some of the extras in the background are clearly just waiting for the lunch break.

The middle act sags like a wet paper bag. It’s just endless meetings about routes and fuel costs. If you aren't into aviation history, you might find yourself checking your phone. I definitely did. But then, right when you're about to tune out, something happens that reminds you why they bothered making the movie in the first place.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a particularly great movie by most standards. But it’s got this weird, stubborn heart. It’s a movie that takes itself very seriously, which is exactly why it works when it gets it right. Sometimes you don't need a perfect film; you just need a movie that really, really wants to go somewhere.

I left the screen feeling like I’d just had a very long conversation with a guy who only wants to talk about flight schedules. It was exhausting, but kind of memorable. Grab a coffee if you’re planning to stick through the whole thing. You'll need it.