Bridge of Spies

Name: Bridge of Spies
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Released: October 16, 2015
Duration: 141 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Alan Alda, Amy Ryan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hanks

2015

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 48 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 630 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 630 Ratings

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Bridge Of Spies

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Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: October 16, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Alan Alda, Amy Ryan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hanks

Summary: Bridge of Spies tells the story of James Donovan (Tom Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. [Dreamworks]

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 141 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Phillip Kemp

Nov 23, 2015

Political intrigue abounds as Spielberg grippingly recreates a famous real-life spy-swap case of the Cold War, with both Hanks and Rylance on top form. Read full review

100

Richard Roeper

Oct 14, 2015

Spielberg has taken an important but largely forgotten and hardly action-packed slice of the Cold War and turned it into a gripping character study and thriller that feels a bit like a John Le Carre adaptation if Frank Capra were at the controls. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Oct 15, 2015

The film is an anomaly — a confident, slightly square, highly satisfying example of old-school Hollywood craftsmanship, starring a major movie star brandishing a briefcase, and a handkerchief, rather than a pistol. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Oct 15, 2015

Bridge of Spies is itself a form of historical whitewashing, albeit one less noxious and harmful than the customary American variety. I liked the movie a lot – it’s one of Spielberg’s most measured and most adult films in years. Read full review

Kate Taylor

Oct 16, 2015

The ever-reliable Hanks sympathetically personifies all in America that is worth fighting for, while his British colleague’s surprisingly comic version of Rudolf Abel portrays the Russian spy as a man quietly steadfast in his loyalty to a different cause. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Oct 15, 2015

Bridge of Spies expands from being a smart, engrossing procedural to a carefully observed character study of Donovan, a particularly intriguing, heretofore overlooked American figure. Read full review

Mike Scott

Oct 14, 2015

Bridge of Spies, with its stop-and-go momentum, is also more merely interesting than it is full-on riveting. It's still quite good stuff, but despite its impressive pedigree... it doesn't feel as if it's quite the sum of all of its parts. Read full review

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User Reviews

JeffAltman

Oct 17, 2015

Spielberg continues to do intense visually extraordinary film and this one is no exception. It is a meticulous story of a piece of The Cold War weaving two stories together into a prisoner exchange along a bridge in Berlin. Adding The Coen Brothers brings pieces of their highly stylized viewSpielberg continues to do intense visually extraordinary film and this one is no exception. It is a meticulous story of a piece of The Cold War weaving two stories together into a prisoner exchange along a bridge in Berlin. Adding The Coen Brothers brings pieces of their highly stylized view of film making into the production in service to the story, not the other way around as sometimes happens in Coen films. Yes, Tom Hanks holds this story together but Mark Rylance is fabulous as well in what should bring him a Best supporting Actor nomination. The dialogue is tight yet textured for the era. Have you figured out I really liked it yet?… Expand

10 of 13 users found this helpful103

JPK

Jul 8, 2019

Great Look Into Cold War
Bridge Of Spies has a great performance from Hanks as well as a script that excellently depicts the Cold War.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jess_Hill

Oct 22, 2015

A masteful drama packed with subtle socio-political commentary, insightful subtext and intrigue aplenty. The performances are superb, Hanks is brilliant, and the storyline is beautifully paced and carefully articulated to tell this true story with precision and care. The underlying themesA masteful drama packed with subtle socio-political commentary, insightful subtext and intrigue aplenty. The performances are superb, Hanks is brilliant, and the storyline is beautifully paced and carefully articulated to tell this true story with precision and care. The underlying themes are an indictment on the current US approach to foreign policy, diplomacy, and detention, making this a timely reminder on the importance of adhering to higher values and ideals. A beautifully crafted film. 8.96/10… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

Axgrinder

Nov 21, 2015

This is one of those movies that recounts an important moment in the history of 20th century Western Civilization, sort of like The Imitation Game, and you will walk away saying “I didn’t know that.” It’s also a Spielberg movie, which means that it’s a smooth and refined piece of filmThis is one of those movies that recounts an important moment in the history of 20th century Western Civilization, sort of like The Imitation Game, and you will walk away saying “I didn’t know that.” It’s also a Spielberg movie, which means that it’s a smooth and refined piece of film making. But it’s not necessarily the kind of movie that appeals to today’s younger generation (who, like Francis Gary Powers, seem to be a bit of an anathema). I was interested in seeing this movie because, although I was just a kid, I was alive when the events depicted in this movie occurred and I have at least some, albeit vague, recollection about U-2 spy planes, how controversial the reconnaissance missions flown by these planes were, and about Gary Powers being shot down and captured by the Soviets. Maybe not surprisingly, when I saw this film everyone in the theater was over age 50. Despite this, I would recommend this film to anyone of any age. It’s a well-constructed piece of film making and credibly acted. It is not, however, a likely Oscar winner, as the pace of the movie occasionally drags like life in the dreary landscape of post-WWI East Germany.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

justinwalker

Nov 28, 2015

When you think Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and the Coen brothers, you think of a level of cinematic greatness that is sure to wow and awe in the theater. What we have with 'Bridge of Spies' is a tremendous Cold War tale with well drawn characters and a compelling story. However, in myWhen you think Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and the Coen brothers, you think of a level of cinematic greatness that is sure to wow and awe in the theater. What we have with 'Bridge of Spies' is a tremendous Cold War tale with well drawn characters and a compelling story. However, in my opinion, as enjoyable as the final product may be the film does not live up to the names that are attached. Based on those completely unfair parameters, 'Bridge of Spies' feels like a slightly missed opportunity, while still being a great time at the theater.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Zmey

Apr 29, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie is really good except for one, really bad, scene with meeting spy's "Russian" family. It looked so faked and unreal, like it was taken from some cheap cliche movie about Russians.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Proteus

Oct 17, 2015

Warning - READ the negative reviews. This was one of the most boring films I have ever seen. It hinges on caring about the fate of a grand total of 3 people. While millions are dying all around we need to care about these 3 people and almost no reason is given to do so. You have been warned.Warning - READ the negative reviews. This was one of the most boring films I have ever seen. It hinges on caring about the fate of a grand total of 3 people. While millions are dying all around we need to care about these 3 people and almost no reason is given to do so. You have been warned. Boring Movie of the Year Award.… Expand

9 of 42 users found this helpful933

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55	#55 Best Movie of 2015
32	#32 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
23	#23 Most Shared Movie of 2015