The Spirit of St. Louis
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Movie Reviews of The Spirit of St. Louis
Movie Review: good movie
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favorite movies - saw it in 1957 when I was assistant manager of the local movie theatreMovie Review: you go to love it
Summary: 5 Stars
you cant walk away,,u got to see how he does it..and he does do it well.Movie Review: Billy Wilder captures the pioneering spirit of the era!
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Spirit of St. Louis" is Billy Wilder's film tribute to one of the best figures in aeronautical history, remembered for the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1927 with James Stewart (a little too old for the part) playing Charles Lindbergh...
As a tribute it is eloquent enough and, although a few nice liberties may have been taken with historical fact, the motion picture describing the detailed odyssey before and after the Paris flight on May 20-21 in the monoplane "Spirit of St. Louis."
Although the lengthy internal monologue employed during the journey may be disappointing to an audience, the truth is that it helps keep the picture focused tightly on its essential point... Stewart dignified the portrait of one of the greatest adventurers in the air the world has ever know, departing, in a highly modified single engine monoplane, from Long Island, New York to Paris, France...
No action is depicted in the trip, only some flashbacks to break up the monotony of the long flight... But there is superb determination of the ordeal of a brave and talented pilot decided to fly alone... His equation is simple: less weight (one engine, one pilot) would increase fuel efficiency and allow for a longer flying range, but with so much risk... Lindbergh's claim to fame was doing something that many had tried and failed...
Even though Wilder has bravely put it upon the screen in a calm, unhurried fashion, it comes out as biography of intense restraint and power... But it is James Stewart's performance (controlled to the last detail) that gives life and strong, heroic stature to the principal figure in the film...
From it there, emerges an awareness of a clever, firm but truly humble man who tackles a task with resolution, plans as much about it as he can, makes his decisions with courageous finality and then awaits with only one thought in mind, to get to Paris... In his efforts to cut off the plane's weight, any item considered too heavy or unnecessary was left behind...
The record-setting flight proved not only to be a fight with the elements and a test of navigation, but also a long battle against fatigue... A busy schedule and an active mind kept Lindbergh up all of the previous night... Still, he managed to stay conscious enough to keep the monoplane from crashing and landed at Le Bourget Aerodrome, near Paris, 33 hours and 30 minutes after leaving New York...
Stewart gives an able portrait of a brave pilot who attains legendary status, emphasizing the intention and dominant resolution to fly nonstop 5,810 kilometers (3,610 miles) across the Atlantic...
Photographed in CinemaScope and WarnerColor and backed by Franz Waxman's beautiful music, the film effectively captures the pioneering spirit of the era and the hero's ultimate achievement since he takes off, that day, from Roosevelt wet field, and clears telephone wires at the end of the runway...
Movie Review: The Story of a 20's Hero
Summary: 4 Stars
Everyone knows the story of Charles Lindbergh. His trans-Atlantic flight was a sensation in the 20s and inspired songs like "Lucky Lindy" and dances like the Lindy Hop. He started as an airmail flyer, but his love of flight and belief in it as an industry inspired him to attempt the impossible. The world held their breath hoping he would achieve his goal, to fly from New York to France without stopping. But it seemed impossible. He proved them wrong.
Billy Wilder directs this aviation adventure expertly. The setting is authentic without being overbearing. The actors wear costumes from the era, but nothing jumps up and screams, "Hey guys, this is 1927!" Stewart is great as always. He is a bit too old for the part, but his Lindy haircut is a nice assimilation to the role. He is well suited to biopics, because he can make even the unlikable seem sweet and genuine. (Not to say that Lindbergh was not a likable man.) He carries the bulk of the film on his shoulders with his inner dialogues while confined to the airplane. There are lots of great aereal shots including gorgeous overhead shots of land and a breath-taking shot looking up at the sun peeking through the clouds.
This is a slow-moving and deliberate movie with scenes of tension mixed in, but it is really a showcase for those with a love of flying, like Stewart and writer Wendell Mayes certainly had.
Movie Review: The Spirit of St. Louis - Finally on DVD!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've waited a very long time for this DVD release, and even though it wasn't the box office hit that Warner was expecting, it's still an entertaining and inspiring account of Charles Lindbergh's 1927 flight.
The video transfer is good quality, which shows much more detail, especially in the darker (read nighttime) scenes. The widescreen is a Godsend for those of us who were annoyed with the VHS version's constant panning, and the audio is greatly improved. My only regret is that I am spoiled by modern movie's huge array of special features, of which there are very few. Some archieval footage or perhaps technical data about the actual flight might have been nice. But that stuff's available online. I recommend this release.