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Bridge of Spies (12A)

Bridge of Spies (12A)

Biography, Drama, History

During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.


The critical consensus

The tense negotiations over the recovery of U2 pilot Gary Powers in 1960s Berlin are the real-life backdrop to this wonderfully uncynical thriller scripted by the Coen brothers.

*****Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 05/10/2015

Spielberg’s craftsmanship is breathtaking. We are in a world of subterfuge and darkness. That is why the film’s patriotic optimism ultimately seems so jarring. Spielberg, it seems, just doesn’t do cynicism.

****(*)Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 04/10/2015

So godlike is Spielberg’s status that we often take his talents for granted. The strange, riveting mix of Bridge Of Spies is another sterling reminder that we shouldn’t.

****(*)Ian Nathan, Empire Online, 20/11/2015

Boasting a script that’s been polished by the Coens, the end product is taut and engaging.

****(*)James Mottram, The List, 23/11/2015

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.

*****Philip Kemp, Total Film, 23/11/2015

A mixture of thriller, courtroom drama and history lesson, Bridge Of Spies makes for a satisfying, entertaining movie. Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper would be proud.

****(*)Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 27/11/2015

Throughout, Spielberg is really questioning the degree to which it’s possible to defend a value system when those values are constantly being eroded to secure it. Sadly there’s nothing old fashioned about that.

****(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 29/11/2015

As a Cold War film, it’s strong. As a window into Spielberg’s mind, it’s essential.

****(*)David Ehrlich, Little White Lies, 24/11/2015

Spielberg brings humour to the spy thriller genre, while Mark Rylance and Tom Hanks add odd-couple chemistry.

****(*)Mark Kermode, The Observer, 29/11/2015

An intriguing, thought-provoking thriller.

*****Henry Fitzherbert, Sunday Express, 29/11/2015


Features about Bridge of Spies (12A)

Bridge of Spies: The true story behind Jim Donovan's defence of a Soviet spy in an American court

Richard Crockatt, The Independent, 27/11/2015

Bridge of Spies: Stasi prisoner portrayed in Steven Spielberg film brands depiction 'totally false'

Katie Grant, The Independent, 04/12/2015

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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