Bridge of Spies (2015)
The film Bridge of Spies (2015) is an American historical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. It was written by Matt Charman and the Coen brothers. Set in New York City in 1957, the story follows the arrest of Rudolf Abel on charges of spying for the Soviet Union. James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer, is appointed as Abel’s legal counsel. Despite pressure from the CIA to violate client confidentiality, Donovan remains committed to providing a vigorous defense for Abel. Ultimately, Abel is convicted but Donovan successfully convinces the judge to spare him from the death penalty due to his honorable service and potential for a future prisoner exchange. He is instead sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Donovan’s appeal to the Supreme Court centers on the lack of a search warrant for seizing Abel’s ciphers and photography equipment. As a result of his strong conviction, Donovan and his family are subjected to harassment, including shots fired at their home. Despite a close call, the conviction stands. In 1960, CIA pilot Gary Powers is shot down over the USSR while on a top-secret mission in a U-2 plane. He is subsequently imprisoned for ten years, with three years spent behind bars. East Germany sends Donovan a letter claiming to be from Abel’s wife, expressing gratitude and suggesting he reach out to their lawyer named Vogel. This message is interpreted by the CIA as a potential indication that the USSR may be willing to exchange Powers for Abel.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Tom HanksJames B. Donovan  Mark RylanceRudolf Abel  Amy RyanMary Donovan  Scott ShepherdHoffman  Sebastian KochWolfgang Vogel  Alan AldaThomas Watters Jr.  Austin StowellFrancis Gary Powers |
The film Bridge of Spies (2015) is an American historical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. It was written by Matt Charman and the Coen brothers. Set in New York City in 1957, the story follows the arrest of Rudolf Abel on charges of spying for the Soviet Union. James B. Donovan, an insurance lawyer, is appointed as Abel’s legal counsel. Despite pressure from the CIA to violate client confidentiality, Donovan remains committed to providing a vigorous defense for Abel. Ultimately, Abel is convicted but Donovan successfully convinces the judge to spare him from the death penalty due to his honorable service and potential for a future prisoner exchange. He is instead sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Donovan’s appeal to the Supreme Court centers on the lack of a search warrant for seizing Abel’s ciphers and photography equipment. As a result of his strong conviction, Donovan and his family are subjected to harassment, including shots fired at their home. Despite a close call, the conviction stands. In 1960, CIA pilot Gary Powers is shot down over the USSR while on a top-secret mission in a U-2 plane. He is subsequently imprisoned for ten years, with three years spent behind bars. East Germany sends Donovan a letter claiming to be from Abel’s wife, expressing gratitude and suggesting he reach out to their lawyer named Vogel. This message is interpreted by the CIA as a potential indication that the USSR may be willing to exchange Powers for Abel.
