Bridge of Spies (2015) [Blu-ray]
Biography | Drama | Thriller

Tagline: In the shadow of war, one man showed the world what we stand for.

A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, Bridge of Spies is "absolutely brilliant and totally riveting" (Bill Zwecker, Chicago Dun-Times). James Donovan is a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on a nearly impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. High stakes and suspense power a story that captures the essence of a man who risked everything, vividly bringing his personal journey to life.

Storyline: In the cold war, a lawyer, James B. Donovan recruited by the CIA and involved in an intense negotiation mission to release and exchange a CIA U-2 spy-plane pilot, Francis G. Powers that was arrested alive after his plane was shot down by the Soviet Union during a mission- with a KGB intelligence officer, Rudolf Abel who was arrested for espionage in the US. Written by Gusde

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, January 27, 2016 -- Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies teems with history and finds its center not in the procedures of courtroom and Cold War maneuvering but rather the personal drama that develops from the political and legal intrigue in its first half and the classically clandestine, cloak-and-dagger back room dealings in its second. Spielberg crafts a tale, based on a true story sourced from one of the most pivotal moments of the Cold War, that doesn't merely recount the story but rather lives it, defines it, breathes meaningful dramatic and personal life into it. Audiences don't simply see the story unfold, they come to more deeply understand the finer points of both the rule of law and the human element that influences its implementation more so than what it is written on the books and the delicacies of negotiation that extend beyond formalities that evolve into a chess match in which lives, not national pride, are in play. Foregoing any real action in favor of drama grounded in global intrigue intermixed with personal sacrifice and conviction, Bridge of Spies dazzles as an absorbing tale of modern history, one man's broader and more intimate place in its development alike, and an example of its director's unmatched skill in precision filmmaking and storytelling.

Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) is arrested in New York and, even if his trial is to be little more than show, he's granted the consideration of legal defense on his side. Former criminal lawyer and Nuremberg prosecutor James Donovan (Tom Hanks), now working insurance law, is approached by the government to represent the defendant. Donovan takes the case, citing his "patriotic duty" to do so despite the personal and professional lose-lose path on which it will certainly take him. He slowly gains an admiration for Abel, not as a foreign agent or for his political ideals but rather for his character and refusal to betray his country or cause. Donovan becomes a public figure and is ridiculed for his defense of a national enemy, a defense that includes a plea to grant clemency for his client and spare him the death penalty, both on humanitarian grounds and citing his potential value as a political pawn, should the need for such a thing ever arise. And arise it does when a young American U-2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), is shot down and captured by the Soviets. Donovan is once again put into service to partake in secret meetings in Berlin to negotiate a prisoner exchange: Abel for Powers and, if Donovan has his way, an American student named Frederic Pryor (Will Rogers) who was taken into custody while crossing into East Berlin during the wall's construction.

At the center of Bridge of Spies is the unenviable challenge of painting a Soviet spy as something of a sympathetic character and, more, creating a believable bond between he and his American attorney, James Donovan. Beyond the politics and spy overtures, the film's central drama -- and its most intriguing element -- comes by way of the unseen, but widely recognized, battle for Donovan's conscience. He's not so much torn between his love of country, responsibility of duty to it, and the letter of the law to which he has sworn to protect and uphold, but rather his appall at the disregard for what he holds dear by those around him. Add in a burgeoning relationship -- something between personal admiration and friendship, politics aside -- with a convicted Soviet spy and the beating on his public image as a result and the character becomes someone existing in a world where personal convictions and his conviction in the court of public opinion leave him vulnerable, both personally and physically alike. The film's second half tells a story of Donovan's steadfastness and, as a result, public image redemption as he travels to a divided Berlin to negotiate a prisoner exchange. There, in a much more dangerous environment, he remains resolute in his personal beliefs, despite all the noise and rather pointed and officially sanctioned government "advice" that comes his way, and works the situation in a manner that will test his character and substantiate his resolve, not make him look good in the paper on one side or the other.

The movie's technical merits prove just as enticing as its drama. Spielberg demonstrates a command of classically styled material that elevates it well beyond genre cinema's hazardous bottom rungs of forcibly, and cynically, overwrought shadowy period piece to masterfully yet understatedly styled work of art. His ability to work in classic noir stylings without forcing smoky, shadowy cliché dealings and environments and presenting the movie with a decided contrast between East and West are highlights, and so too is a foundation that accentuates substance over style. His direction, working with with longtime collaborator Janusz Kamiński, is to be commended as it demonstrates the movie's ability to make more nuanced and accentuating, rather than overbearing, use of environment, camera work, and lighting to command the screen in support of the drama, even if the audience isn't immediately or fully aware of the skillful behind-the-scenes workings of master craftsmen. Tom Hanks is perfectly cast in the lead, falling into part and highlighting the character's personality and steadfastness while building an underlying charm that helps cement his resolve and his relationship with a convicted spy. Mark Rylance is the film's other highlight in the role of Rudolf Abel, the man Donovan is charged with defending and, later, with negotiating his release.

Bridge of Spies is a magnificent historically based film that merges superior craftsmanship with a classic styling and tells a story of broad legal and global political machinations with a personal tale of determination, sacrifice, and integrity at the center. It's also a wondrously complex film that's easy to absorb on a first viewing -- taking in the basic story lines and themes -- but that leaves audiences pondering its much deeper social, political, historical, personal, and metaphorical layers that not only enhance the story but the audience's appreciation for both the true history behind the film and the delicate craftsmanship that went into making it. This is cinema not at its most bursting-at-the-seams robust but rather its most grounded, fascinating, engaging, and impeccably constructed. Disney's Blu-ray release delivers startling 1080p video, expert lossless sound, and several supplements. Bridge of Spies earns my highest recommendation.

[CSW] -3.7- This superb Cold War espionage thriller could mean the renaissance of that genre. And this one was inspired by true events as depicted in Bridge of Spies: A True Story of the Cold War by Giles Whittell; and other sources...so it is a good history lesson. The period is the late 50s and early 60s when the Cold War and the fear it engendered was at the point of paranoia. A high level KGB Soviet spy, Rudolph Abel, is captured in 1957 and though ably defended by James Donovan, is convicted in Federal Court. In 1960 the U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers is shot down over the Soviet Union and Powers is captured. Donovan is tabbed to negotiate a prisoner exchange - Abel for Powers. With a superb cast, a brilliant screenplay written by Matt Charman and the Coen Brothers; and another brilliant performance by Steven Spielberg behind the camera, this - my opinion - is one of the better films of the year. Tom Hanks delivers a masterful performance as the attorney James Donovan; Mark Rylance - one of the best stage actors of this era - is superb as Rudolph Abel; and the support cast, especially Amy Ryan as Donovan's wife, Mary, is also top drawer. This film won an Oscar for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role" for Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel
[V5.0-A5.0] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box motion codes were available at the time of this rental although they are available now.


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