The Extraordinary Life of Amelia Earhart

Gr 7 Up—This production covers the most salient points in the life of the "greatest female flier." The depiction of Amelia Earhart's childhood and adolescence, especially the impact of frequent moves and an alcoholic father, sets the stage for her unconventional adult life. The key events in her life are briefly covered: her marriage to George Palmer Putnam, her 1928 solo round-trip across the United States, her close friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt, and her 1932 solo trip across the Atlantic Ocean. Earhart's final journey is presented in greater detail. The narrator outlines the known facts about her flight from New Guinea to Howland Island and the unsolved mystery surrounding her disappearance. Several theories and rumors about her final moments are also addressed. For the film's first half, a male narrator voices over photographs of a young Amelia and other images that represent her formative years. A woman reads occasional direct quotes from Earhart. In the second half, archival film footage and computer-animated flight routes are included. At the conclusion of the film, a recording of Earhart speaking about breakthroughs in aviation plays over a scrolling list of her achievements, making it difficult to concentrate on either one. A & E Home Video's 2005 Biography: Amelia Earhart is a comparable production but benefits from interviews with family members and historians. Sadly, though, no biography is ever quite as captivating as Lady Lindy herself.—Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA