the spirit of st. louis be billy wild film tribute to one of the best figure in aeronautical history and remember 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 . a a tribute it be eloquent enough and and although a few nice liberty may have be take with historical fact and the motion picture describe 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 employ during the journey may be disappoint to an audience and the truth be that it help keep the picture focus tightly on it essential point . stewart dignify the portrait of one of the great adventurer in the air the world have ever know and depart and in a highly modify single engine monoplane and from long island and new york to paris and france . no action be depict in the trip and only some flashback to break up the monotony of the long flight . but there be superb determination of the ordeal of a brave and talented pilot decide to fly alone . his equation be simple represent less weight ( one engine and one pilot ) would increase fuel efficiency and allow for a longer flying range and but with so much risk . lindbergh claim to fame be do something that many have try and fail . even though wilder have bravely put it upon the screen in a calm and unhurried fashion and it come out a biography of intense restraint and power . but it be james stewart performance ( control to the last detail ) that give life and strong and heroic stature to the principal figure in the film . from it there and emerge an awareness of a clever and firm but truly humble man who tackle a task with resolution and plan as much about it a he can and make his decision with courageous finality and then awaits with only one thought in mind and to get to paris . in his effort to cut off the plane weight and any item consider too heavy or unnecessary be leave behind . the record set flight prove not only to be a fight with the element and a test of navigation and but also a long battle against fatigue . a busy schedule and an active mind keep lindbergh up all of the previous night . still and he manage to stay conscious enough to keep the monoplane from crash and land at le bourget aerodrome and near paris and 33 hour and 30 minute after leave new york . stewart give an able portrait of a brave pilot who attain legendary status and emphasize the intention and dominant resolution to fly nonstop 5 and 810 kilometer ( 3 and 610 mile ) across the atlantic . photograph in cinemascope and warnercolor and back by franz waxman beautiful music and the film effectively capture the pioneering spirit of the era and the hero ultimate achievement since he take off and that day and from roosevelt wet field and and clear telephone wire at the end of the runway .