Bridge of Spies

PG-13

Released Oct 16, 2015

2h 21m

History

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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91%

Tomatometer

317 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

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

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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

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

simbat t

We should understand history and respect history

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

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John H

Very good movie based on real events

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

Full Review

John Z

From the clothing, the Armenian brandy, to the ramshackle East Berlin of the 1960s, the attention to detail by Spielberg and his team is impressive! The direction and acting are first-rate. The film held one's attention from start to finish. That James Donovan was a 'stoykiy muzhik'!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/24

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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Operation Finale

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Operation Finale

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56%

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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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