The Spirit of St. Louis

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The Spirit of St. Louis

Released Apr 20, 1957

2h 18m

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

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23 Reviews

75%

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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

Spirit is a James Stewart one-man show.

Aug 15, 2007

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Derek Adams

Time Out

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

Feb 9, 2006

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 5/5

Aug 20, 2004

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 4/10

Mar 31, 2023

Full Review

Frank Morriss

Winnipeg Free Press

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.

Sep 14, 2022

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...a national myth for the Eisenhower era.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 8, 2022

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Douglas G

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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j f

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

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Lomer A

Outstanding movie all the way around

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

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steve d

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

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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georgan g

Somewhat outdated but still a solid biopic with a great performance by James Stewart.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Billy Wilder

Director

James Stewart

Charles Augustus "Slim" Lindbergh

Patricia Smith

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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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