The Spirit of St. Louis

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The Spirit of St. Louis

1957

2h 18m

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

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23 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This lauded biopic follows legendary pilot Charles Lindbergh (James Stewart) as he makes his historic solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris. The film details earlier events in Lindbergh's aerial career, including his stints as a stunt pilot and a flight instructor, but it focuses largely on his dangerous journey over the Atlantic Ocean in his signature monoplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. Battling the elements and sleep deprivation, Lindbergh struggles to make a safe landing in France.

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Variety Staff

Variety

08/15/2007

Spirit is a James Stewart one-man show.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

02/09/2006

It's quite engrossing, with the period trappings lovingly presented.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

01/01/2000

2.5/5

A haunting recollection of one of the thrilling events of our times has been handsomely staged by Mr. Wilder, and for that you should see the film.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

03/31/2023

4/10

A dragging, one-man show, featuring only a couple of other actors with any notable dialogue, and devoid of a love interest or any sort of consequential conflicts.

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Frank Morriss

Winnipeg Free Press

09/14/2022

The Spirit of St. Louis will hold your interest, and your sympathy, every foot of the way. This is largely due to James Stewart who plays the title role with such artless honesty that you are able to accept him as the character completely.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

04/08/2022

3/4

...a national myth for the Eisenhower era.

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Douglas G

@Moviefandrg 05/13/2025

Stewart is a little old for this role, but a good re-enactment of Lindbergh’s amazing feat.

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j f

@LiberteBurrows 06/17/2024

Wanted to hate it (both because Lindbergh was soft on Hitler, and St Louis stinks). But Billy Wilder and James Stewart will never not be good. Enjoyed it thoroughly, in spite of myself.

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Lomer A

@RT49826661 12/28/2023

Outstanding movie all the way around

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steve d

@RT35616104 01/09/2023

Well-made but its subject didn't earn it.

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georgan g

@RT98616417 09/13/2022

Somewhat outdated but still a solid biopic with a great performance by James Stewart.

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06/14/2020

Jimmy Stewart is really too old to play 25-yr old Lindbergh, but it's really a good movie.

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Synopsis

This lauded biopic follows legendary pilot Charles Lindbergh (James Stewart) as he makes his historic solo transatlantic flight from New York to Paris. The film details earlier events in Lindbergh's aerial career, including his stints as a stunt pilot and a flight instructor, but it focuses largely on his dangerous journey over the Atlantic Ocean in his signature monoplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. Battling the elements and sleep deprivation, Lindbergh struggles to make a safe landing in France.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Leland Hayward
Screenwriter: Charles Lederer, Billy Wilder, Wendell Mayes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 20, 1957, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 21, 2016
Runtime: 2h 18m

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