The Spirit of St. Louis
April. 19,1957 NRCharles 'Slim' Lindbergh struggles to finance and design an airplane that will make his New York to Paris flight the first solo trans-Atlantic crossing.
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Reviews
I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
the audience applauded
Absolutely Fantastic
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
This movie started out with the idea that Lindbergh was a hero through and through. He certainly was in many respects. The point is that he was a complex human being with some pretty dramatic flaws. But like the Western cowboys, wiping out a civilization on the plains, we simply accept the likes of John Wayne as a hero. So we focus on the flight itself. To start with, Jimmy Stewart, always a stalwart, portrays the Lone Eagle, primarily from the cabin of his aircraft, a rickety little plane barely sound enough to face the winds of uncertainty. Much of the movie is superimposed dialogue, expressing Lindbergh's thoughts as he makes his way to Paris. We forget that he was doing something so dangerous that his chances were slight.
A mail-run pilot gets help financing the construction of a plane to cross the Atlantic from New York to Paris in 1927--with he himself alone at the controls. Director Billy Wilder, who also co-adapted Charles Lindbergh's memoir with Wendell Mayes and Charles Lederer, isn't quite able to work his customary high-toned humor into these proceedings, but his adroit pacing is certainly in evidence. James Stewart carries off the leading role without a hitch, and the final moments are surprisingly emotional. Not a dashing, robust picture, but an earthy, squirrelly film about human endurance and, indeed, spirit. There's a beautiful, seemingly throwaway moment with Stewart flying over Ireland and scaring the sheep, the shadow of the plane on the ground below as seen from Lindbergh's window. Technical details such as this make a tangible connection with audiences; one leaves the picture feeling uniquely satisfied. Supporting cast is workman-like; Stewart and the plane are the drawing cards. *** from ****
I gave this a five only for Stewart's characteristically fine performance; the film itself deserves about two, I guess, just for keeping the camera steady. Movies about a single character's solitary endeavor need to have a hook to keep the audience's interest, and this movie has more than a bait & tackle shop. Whether it's talking to a fly who's hitched a ride or chatting to himself, Stewart's okay in the moment. But the film shoehorns in one needless flashback to Lindbergh's early life after another, almost none of which are interesting in and of themselves. Put it this way: If the flashbacks were placed chronologically at the beginning of the movie, the audience would be asleep before Lucky Lindy took off for France. The film's first hour suffers as it is (it takes about that long for our hero to begin his landmark journey). Thrill as Lindbergh haggles with an old man for his first plane! Witness the provocative fundraising scene! Forget it. There are better ways to learn about Charles Lindbergh than this dull, factually questionable biopic, and better films to see by both Stewart or director Billy Wilder.
The picture often took on a carnival like atmosphere when it recalled some of Lindbergh's adventures in flying through the years.We literally see the problems he had with design and financing to attain his goal.Jimmy Stewart was perfect for the lead role as he always exemplified the "aw shucks" guy.Of course, the picture ends with a triumphant Lindbergh being honored with a ticker-tape parade up Broadway. Yes, it's true that the French went wild after he landed in their country.Note that Lindbergh's isolationist and pro-Nazi beliefs are not discussed in this film. To me, this would have given the film an opportunity to show what a first class stinker he was. Of course, the famous kidnapping and murder of his child is also omitted.