Steven Spielberg's 2015 historical drama Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks as lawyer James B. Donovan, airs on Film4 tonight at 6.15pm. The Oscar-winning film grossed $165 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
Cold War story and critical acclaim
Set during the Cold War, the film follows Donovan as he is tasked with securing the release of Francis Gary Powers, a CIA pilot whose spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory. His freedom depends on the exchange of Rudolf Abel, a convicted Soviet KGB spy whom Donovan had previously defended at trial. Though Abel is convicted, Donovan persuades the judge to spare him from execution, arguing he could prove useful as a bargaining tool later.
Donovan then travels to a divided Berlin to broker Powers' release in exchange for an American economics student detained in East Berlin. The film's title references the Glienicke Bridge, the historic crossing between Potsdam and Berlin where the prisoner swap occurred.
Audience and awards reception
Bridge of Spies holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer wrote: "With the masterful Steven Spielberg behind the lens, this movie was destined to be amazing." Another commented: "Tom Hanks gave an incredible performance as the non-fictional character, James B. Donovan. I really enjoyed this film because of that aspect; that it really happened. It was such an eye-opening film to a true story I never really knew about it."
The production earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, with Mark Rylance winning Best Supporting Actor. The supporting cast includes Amy Ryan, Alan Alda, Austin Stowell and Eve Hewson.
Viewing details
One audience member praised the film's atmosphere: "A calm thriller. What a smooth ride! Cold War politics aside, the visuals completely pulled me in. The lighting, the shadows, that colour palette - everything had this calm yet tense atmosphere that made every frame feel mesmerising. Such a classy and beautifully crafted film." Bridge of Spies is shown on Film4 this evening at 6.15pm.
