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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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Marco L

Historia de espías ambientada en plena Guerra Fría, que combina intriga, tensión y humanidad con la maestría narrativa característica de Steven Spielberg. La trama se desarrolla entre negociaciones legales y misiones diplomáticas en un escenario marcado por el telón de acero, con Berlín dividido como telón de fondo. El equilibrio entre los ideales de justicia y los intereses políticos está presente en cada escena, destacando la complejidad moral de los personajes y las decisiones que deben tomar. Tom Hanks lidera el reparto con una interpretación sólida y convincente, encarnando los valores de integridad y humanidad frente a un sistema que a menudo privilegia la conveniencia sobre la ética. Mark Rylance aporta una actuación memorable y matizada, añadiendo profundidad al personaje que interpreta. La recreación histórica y la atmósfera de la época son impecables, y el ritmo narrativo mantiene al espectador cautivado, incluso en los momentos más pausados. Aunque no busca reinventar el género, sobresale por su capacidad para explorar la dimensión humana detrás del espionaje y los conflictos ideológicos.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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

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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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