The movie was a box office disaster when originally released in 1957, grossing less than $3 million and costing about $7 million.
Producer Jack L. Warner was strongly opposed to the casting of James Stewart, which he believed caused the film to flop on its release in 1957. Warner felt a young and less well-known actor was needed to play Lindbergh.
James Stewart was unusually difficult to work with throughout filming. Some wondered if he had realized how miscast he was.