Bridge of Spies

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Bridge of Spies

PG-13

Released Oct 16, 2015

2h 21m

History

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

314 Reviews

87%

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50,000+ Ratings

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

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Critics Consensus

Bridge of Spies finds new life in Hollywood's classic Cold War espionage thriller formula, thanks to reliably outstanding work from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

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Olly Richards

Times (UK)

There are no directing bells and whistles here, just a grown-up story expertly told.

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Claudia Puig

The Asahi Shimbun GLOBE (Japan)

Director Steven Spielberg gives audiences a meticulously composed espionage thriller, which establishes a tense atmosphere from the start and keeps the viewer engaged throughout. [Full review in Japanese]

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 19, 2016

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

This is a filmmaker with a lifetime of skill and experience, crafting his vintage pictures with style and grace, and we're all better off for it.

May 3, 2016

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Hanks... carries the film as a kind of Cold War Atticus Finch, a husband and father and an American idealist who refuses to betray his client simply because he’s a Soviet spy, and he portrays Donovan’s essential integrity and loyalty without sentiment.

Jul 21, 2024

Full Review

Ankit Ojha

Cinema Elite

Boasting a deliberate and measured direction of tack-sharp screenplay, it smoothly coasts through themes of privilege, rights, and repute, balancing each in its subtext without making them feel like incomplete lip-service throwaways.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

As an expertly crafted historical drama of intrigue and high character, there's not a thing wrong with it, but not everything Spielberg puts out can be a timeless instant classic.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 18, 2024

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Nick R

A great film, even if Spielberg and Tom Hanks have both done better.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/01/24

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Michael H

I kept trying to get my dad to watch this film, but he died from a stroke before he could. Mom watched it with me and she knew this was a film he would have loved. Subtlety and nuance permeated the film, making it a must watch for anyone interested in the early days of the Cold War.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/24

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Tom S

Another triumph from Steven Spielberg and another outstanding performance from Tom Hanks. Also an excellent performance from Mark Rylance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/21/24

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Aidan B

While certainly not the best Steven Spielberg movie, it is probably the most gripping. Great story with some great messages: "Bridge of Spies" lives up to the title and premise while staying true and respectful to its source material.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/13/24

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Maxi B

Watched that movie in school recently. It was unexpectedly awesome! I really enjoyed the story. Must watch!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/08/24

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simbat t

We should understand history and respect history

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

Full Review

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Tom Hanks

James Donovan

Mark Rylance

Rudolf Abel

Alan Alda

Thomas Watters

Amy Ryan

Mary Donovan

Eve Hewson

Carol Donovan

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Bridge of Spies: Behind the Scenes - Discovering Donovan's Story

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Bridge of Spies: Trailer 2

1:43

Bridge of Spies: International Trailer 1

2:44

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Synopsis

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

Director: Steven Spielberg
Producer: Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger
Screenwriter: Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Afterworks Limited, Studio Babelsberg Independents [de]
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: History, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2015, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $72.3M
Runtime: 2h 21m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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