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Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Brand: Warner Brothers EAN: 0012569816145 Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Region Code: 1 Release Date: August 15, 2006 Running Time: 135 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: April 20, 1957 Sales Rank: 13613 MPN: WARD81614D
Description: On May 21, 1927, the world changed. "Lucky Lindy" landed outside Paris. And people who previously talked about the limitations of air travel suddenly dreamed of its limitless possibilities. The Spirit of St. Louis is six-time Academy Award? winner* Billy Wilder's recreation of the struggles and success of Charles A. Lindbergh, the pioneering flyboy who, like test pilots and astronauts to follow later, had the "right stuff" of aviation heroism. Lindbergh fan James Stewart, himself a pilot, sought the role ? and was initially turned down. But his persistence paid off, as Stewart added Lindy to his gallery of indelible portrayals of American heroes. He and Wilder together manned the cockpit of a stirring epic entertainment. Director: Billy Wilder Starring: James Stewart, Patricia Smith, Murray Hamilton
Amazon.com: Two Hollywood giants came together for The Spirit of St. Louis: James Stewart and director Billy Wilder. Both were slightly miscast for the material, an account of Charles Lindbergh's galvanizing solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. Stewart was at least 20 years too old to play the young pilot, and his enormous personal warmth was at odds with the rather frosty real-life demeanor of the Lone Eagle. Wilder was better known for his sardonic critiques of man's lesser instincts, which makes the choice of this flat-out study of heroism somewhat peculiar. The mismatch shows in the movie, which is arranged around Lindy's historic puddle jump but is also checkerboarded together by a series of awkward flashbacks showing his background. Once the flight begins, in a thrilling sequence of the plane's near-miss takeoff, the film settles into a generally engrossing study of man against the elements. In a great Wilder touch, Stewart spends part of the journey conversing with a stowaway house fly. The aerial photography is stunning, and it's impossible to resist the unalloyed joy of Stewart's realization that he's spotted the Irish coast after a very long night over the ocean. Not unlike the pilot himself, this movie is happiest and most secure when it's in the seat of the plane, unencumbered by anything but forward motion and a goal. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Story of a 20's Hero
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, ... Read More
Rating: - spirit of st. louis dvd
My husband totally enjoyed this movie so I purchased it for him for Christmas. He is very particular regarding aviation movies but I know he will very pleased to get this for his collection.
Rating: - Spirit of St. Louis DVD
I loved this movie ever since I had it on Laser Disc back in the Old Days.' A great popcorn flick, especially if you are a Jimmy Stewart fan. The DVD is pretty cut and dry. No extra-special features outside ... Read More
Rating: - Epic Flight
If you are a James Stewart fan or have an interest in Charles Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic journey, this is a must see. Billy Wilder and the others involved in this 1957 production took an inherently monotonous ... Read More
Rating: - The Spirit of ST Louis
Faithfull story of the book written by C.A. Lindbergh. Some jokes have been added that were not in the book, but without spoiling the story.
- The Story of a 20's Hero
- spirit of st. louis dvd