In the decades since pioneer pilot Amelia Earhart disappeared from the face of the Earth, countless theories have emerged to fill in the gaps of her still-unknown whereabouts. Historians generally agree she crashed into the ocean, but that’s not dramatic enough, isn’t it? Some people believe she was captured by the Japanese, others believe she turned into a spy. Even others think she assumed a whole new identity. But among the more plausible theories is that she crashed into an airbase in Rabaul, New Britain. This is what Finding Amelia tries to prove true, and up to the task are two independent enthusiasts—one an aviation historian, the other a lawyer. Their insight is interesting enough, except they’re not treading new ground. All of what they say has been explored in previous documentaries both worse and better, so you’re left with nothing more than reminders and weak What Ifs. There is also a sense that some of the parts are staged, which is fine if you’re trying to recreate important but dangerous encounters, but at least make them feel real.
Synopsis
In 1945, a group of Australian soldiers inadvertently stumbled across Amelia Earhart's downed airplane in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Now, a team of specialists will use the soldiers' exclusive testimony and an old patrol map to find the plane again.
Storyline
An aviation historian and a lawyer, believing they’ve found the remains of Amelia Earhart’s missing aircraft, track it down deep in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
TLDR
Nothing new here, folks, move along.
What stands out
Is it me or is this shot more like a reality show than a documentary?
So the nail that sealed the coffin on the New Guinea theory is simply in Amelia’s own words transmitted to the Itasca at 7:41: “we must be [on] you but cannot see u but gas is running low..”
So, to consider that this experienced pilot at this time would decide to turn around to make it back to New Guinea over 2,000 miles away is just absurd.