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Amazon.com This gentle, modern-day fairy tale explores a family trying to recover from a father's death. Katie is a combative 12-year-old; her brother Simon is almost mute; their mother desperately needs time to rebuild her life. She takes the kids to visit their dad's mother in Newfoundland where Grandmother Lydia (played with grounded depth by Marsha Mason) tells Katie she understands that she has "to stay angry or you'll forget him." Lydia says that "some people have the gift of seeing," and Katie and Simon prove her right when they meet Charles Nungesser and François Coli, historical French aviation heroes who disappeared trying to beat Lindbergh across the Atlantic in 1927. These lost souls repeat their fateful crash into the swamp every time the fog comes in. Katie realizes they must finish the flight to enable their escape to heaven and begins the improbable task of raising their plane from the deep. The antagonistic relationship of the aristocratic and pompous Nungesser and his kindly navigator is portrayed with picaresque charm by the charismatic Lothaire Bluteau and the humanistic Michel Monty. Nungesser bemoans being beaten by a "mailman," while Coli mourns the loss of his wife and child. Resurrecting L'Oiseau Blanc helps Katie interact positively with people and develop friendships. By the magical climax, she learns what inspired her father to be a test pilot. --Lloyd Chesley ... Read more Reviews (4) 
Touch of Aviation History with Disney Flare
Aviation Buffs will enjoy this story of 2 aviators trying to make first Transatlantic flight from France to USA. After crash landing in Newfoundland the deceased aviators spirits are seen by a girl with *The Gift* of being able to see them. The girls deceased father, a test pilot, had same insight. When they tell her there story she decides to help them retrieve their crashed plane from lake and help them to assemble plane to so they can continue their journey. Superb storyline that whole family can enjoy. Excellent ending, Don't miss this one. AAAAAAA+++++++
Poignant film for all the family
Some films never quite make it to the big time which is a shame because they have so much too offer but don't have the pulling power of a big name star behind them. "Restless Spirits" is such a film that has been overlooked and because of this many people are missing a treat of a film. Juliana Wimbles plays a young girl Katie traumatized by the death of her test pilot father. With her younger brother she is sent by her mother to stay with her Grandparents in Newfoundland. In trying to come to terms with the loss of her father she finds herself drawn into a 70-year-old mystery, the disappearance of two French aviators who were trying to beat Lindburgh on his epic journey across the Atlantic in 1927. The two pilots were killed when their plane crashed into a swamp one foggy night and their spirits are doomed to return whenever go reappears. Katie, sensitive to her own recent loss soon realizes that her two new ghostly friends will never find peace unless they can continue the journey that was so tragically cut short 70 years previously. Through shear determination Katie manages to retrieve most of the plane and put it back together with duct tape and tarpaulin. Unfortunately aviation historians are hot on the trail of the two missing pilots and whisk away the plane before Katie can decide how she is going to set her friends free. Aided by a skeptical young friend the young girl sets about helping the ghostly pilots make that one last journey that will free their restless spirits. The ending is a joy to watch, with wonderful special effects, a haunting musical score, and acting that brings a lump to your throat. Only watch this film if you want a gentle, slow moving plot about human nature, the strength of the human spirit and the dream that life after death just might be real. All in all, an excellent film for all the family.
Beguiling Little Film
I was very pleasantly surprised by this film.I was expecting the usual insulting kiddie fair but instead got a well-made, subtle and heart-felt ghost story.The cast in this is very good,with the excellant Marsha Mason turning in another fine performance,and the actors playing the spectral pilots are witty and convincing.Also Juliana Wimbles is a real find.The beautiful young actress finds the fiesty spirit and wounded heart of the girl who discovers the spirits of two missing pilots,and the relationship she develops with them,and how they eventually help each other find what they have always been searching for is surprisingly moving,but not in a bombastic way.This is a very small film,and could easily fall through the cracks,but give it a chance.I think this,along with "Fly Away Home" is a rare example of films that are ideal for kids,but can also be enjoyed by intelligent adults.
Charming Movie
Marsha Mason (Goodbye Girl) plays the grandmother with an earthy, wise charm. 1927 Single engine biplane took off from France attempting to make first non-stop flight from Paris to New York. Sex and death, two of the hardest topics to discuss with your children. This movie would open a discussion on either. Not that there is Any sex but there is a sweet puppy love attraction by preteens. It is a very logical and well presented ghost story (not too scary). They (the dead pilots) can touch items from their time and ours such as the ground and trees. Fairly good special effects, what is better than fog for a ghost story? The young girl is smart and courageous, excellent female leed but not feminist. An inspired, uplifting ending which helps her deal with the untimely death of her father is wonderful and fulfilling.
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Should have been better