Amelia

Amelia

Year: 2009

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: Mira Nair

Budget: $40M

AdventureBiographyDramaRomance

As a celebrated aviation icon, Amelia Earhart captivated the world with her courage and determination. Beyond her public image, she pursued a life filled with adventure, romance, and a relentless desire to break barriers. Supported by her husband, George Putnam, and with a complex relationship with Gene Vidal, she planned her most ambitious undertaking: a solo flight around the world, an endeavor that would cement her place in history and ultimately lead to her mysterious disappearance.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Amelia (2009)

Trace every key event in Amelia (2009) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Earhart grows up fascinated by flight

As a girl on the Kansas prairie, Amelia Earhart dreams of aircraft overhead. The film uses flashbacks to trace her early fascination and how aviation shapes her ambitions. These vignettes establish the roots of her later courage.

Childhood (1920s) Kansas, USA
2

First transatlantic cross as a passenger

In 1928, she is recruited by George Putnam to become the first woman to cross the Atlantic as a passenger. The successful flight thrusts her into the public spotlight as the era's most famous woman pilot. Putnam helps her publish a memoir about the voyage.

1928 Atlantic Ocean
3

Publication and rising fame

Putnam assists Earhart in writing a book chronicling the flight, further elevating her profile. The media attention also solidifies her status as an aviation icon. Their collaboration foreshadows a powerful partnership.

Late 1920s New York, USA
4

Marriage and the wedding contract pledge

Earhart and Putnam marry, and she plays a role in shaping her image and career. The film notes a cruel pledge in their wedding contract, hinting at the power dynamics of celebrity life. The marriage anchors her life while her freedom remains a constant tension.

1931 California, USA
5

Solo transatlantic flight

In 1932, Earhart recreates her earlier crossing but now flies solo, becoming the first female pilot to complete the feat. The solo flight redefines women's aviation and cements her hero status. The voyage also deepens her commitment to breaking barriers.

1932 Over the Atlantic Ocean
6

Affair with Gene Vidal and domestic tensions

Over the next five years, Earhart has an affair with Gene Vidal. Putnam reacts with jealousy and insists his presence at home is necessary for her career. The personal turmoil sits alongside her public mission.

1932-1937 Home life, United States
7

Return to husband while preparing for a new flight

Despite the turmoil, Earhart returns to her husband as she focuses on the next record-breaking quest. She negotiates endorsements and media appearances that fund her flying. Their partnership persists even as tensions simmer.

Early 1930s to 1937 United States
8

Planning the around-the-world flight with Noonan

Earhart plans to fly around the world in a Lockheed Model 10 Electra, with navigator Fred Noonan, funded by Purdue University. The biggest obstacle is locating Howland Island. The combination of veteran aircraft, sponsorship, and ambition sets the stage for a historic attempt.

1937 United States / Pacific Ocean
9

First flight attempt ends in Hawaii

Their initial attempt ends in a runway crash in Hawaii when the landing gear collapses. The Electra requires extensive repairs before another attempt can be made. The team remains determined to continue despite the setback.

1937 Hawaii, USA
10

Repairs and revised route

After repairs, Earhart and Noonan launch a second attempt, choosing a reverse direction so the long Pacific crossing comes last. The team relies on sponsorship and careful planning as the clock runs down.

1937 Pacific route towards Howland Island
11

Departure from Howland Island on July 2, 1937

Earhart and Noonan depart Howland Island bound for the next leg of their global circuit on July 2, 1937. The Coast Guard ship Itasca monitors the radio direction finder, but the device has a dead battery and contact remains elusive. Tension grows as fuel levels fall.

July 2, 1937 Howland Island
12

Radio troubles and disappearance

Radio troubles intensify as Itasca cannot establish reliable contact with the Electra, leaving Earhart without clear guidance. The flight continues with dwindling fuel, pushing them further into uncertain territory. The sense of vulnerability underscores the peril of the mission.

July 1937 Pacific Ocean near Howland Island
13

Vanishing and search

With fuel exhausted, Earhart and Noonan vanish into the vast Pacific and are never seen again. A massive search is launched but fails to locate them, turning the mystery into a defining moment of aviation lore. Regardless of the outcome, Earhart's disappearance solidifies her status as an enduring aviation icon.

July-August 1937 Pacific Ocean near Howland Island
14

Legacy and enduring inspiration

The film closes by highlighting Earhart's legacy as a pioneer who inspired generations of pilots and feminists. Her courage and trailblazing achievements endure beyond the unanswered questions of her disappearance. Earhart remains a symbol of bold exploration and boundary-breaking ambition.

Post-1937

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Amelia Summary

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Amelia Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Amelia

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