Charles Lindbergh: Against the Wind

• Documentary

Episode overview

Trace the dramatic life of the aviator who became an international hero overnight after completing the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in 1927. The episode explores Lindbergh’s rise from a young barnstormer to a symbol of American daring, and the overwhelming fame that followed his historic achievement. Biography also confronts the profound tragedies and controversies that shaped his later years, including the kidnapping and death of his son, the intense media scrutiny that drove him into seclusion, and his polarizing political views before World War II. Through archival footage, interviews, and personal writings, the program paints a nuanced portrait of a man both celebrated and criticized, revealing how Lindbergh’s quest for independence and innovation defined his legacy against the shifting winds of public opinion.

60 minutes