Bridge of Spies

Starring: Hanks, Tom and Rylance, Mark

Product Description

A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, "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 a near impossible mission to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot. High stakes and suspense power a story inspired by true events that capture the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 786936847895
• Release Date: February 2016
• Rating: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
• Publisher: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
• Director: Spielberg, Steven
• Starring: Hanks, Tom, Rylance, Mark
• Runtime: 2 hours, 21 minutes
• Number of Disks: 1
• Other Video Info: DVD
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

What makes us Americans?

This is the retrospective version of a pivotal point in the history of a spy exchange, and the man “James B. Donovan,” played by Tom Hanks, who facilitated making it possible. I grew up in that era and remember the newspapers from that time. I followed it in “U.S. News & World Report”; at that time, it was quite informative and not an echo of “Time” and “Newsweek.” When I heard about this film, I could not resist, as it has great actors, producers, and directors. Not to mention the consultants. You already know that Tom Hanks is good at what he does; however, I was impressed with Mark Rylance’s portrayal of Rudolf Abel. The movie production itself has great scenes and costumes of the time that make it fascinating from start to finish. You feel that you are there. There is a speech, not quite as long as an Ayn Rand speech, that reminds us of what makes us Americans. The actual story comes off a tad different than the memory. A tad better, and I never received the full picture. Until I read differently, this will be my impression of the time. The presentation I watched did not offer a voice-over commentary. I hope a future version will.

Fabulous!

Started conversations about propaganda, the meaning of a patriot's life to the state, the cold war and life in a totalitarian state, how literature and film can unexpectedly bend your sympathies towards various characters, and people who put themselves at risk because the Constitution means something (ok, no Constitution yet but think John Adams defending the British soldiers in Boston). I have ordered the book to find the extra details to be gleaned.