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As Cold War tensions escalate, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is captured by Soviet forces and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Renowned lawyer James Donovan takes on the challenge of securing his release through a daring prisoner exchange, risking everything to win freedom for the American hero and swap him with Rudolf Abel, a seasoned spy whose fate hangs in the balance.

As Cold War tensions escalate, U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is captured by Soviet forces and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Renowned lawyer James Donovan takes on the challenge of securing his release through a daring prisoner exchange, risking everything to win freedom for the American hero and swap him with Rudolf Abel, a seasoned spy whose fate hangs in the balance.

Does Bridge of Spies have end credit scenes?

Yes!

Bridge of Spies does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Bridge of Spies

Explore the complete cast of Bridge of Spies, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Bridge of Spies

See how Bridge of Spies is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Bridge of Spies stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

81

Metascore

7.6

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

91%

TOMATOMETER

review

87%

User Score

IMDb

7.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.6

From 176 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Bridge of Spies Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Bridge of Spies with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Bridge of Spies Quiz: Test your knowledge about the thrilling true story behind 'Bridge of Spies'.

What was Rudolf Abel accused of?

Awards & Nominations for Bridge of Spies

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Bridge of Spies, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Bridge of Spies and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


88th Academy Awards 2016

Mark Rylance
Win

Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Rylance
Nomination

Music (Original Score)

Nomination

Best Picture

Nomination

Production Design

Nomination

Sound Mixing

Nomination

Writing (Original Screenplay)

69th British Academy Film Awards 2016

Nomination

Best Film

Steven Spielberg
Nomination

Best Direction

Steven Spielberg
Mark Rylance
Win

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Rylance
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Nomination

Best Cinematography

Nomination

Best Editing

Nomination

Best Original Music

Nomination

Best Production Design

Nomination

Best Sound

21st Critics' Choice Awards 2016

Nomination

Best Picture

Steven Spielberg
Nomination

Best Director

Steven Spielberg
Mark Rylance
Nomination

Best Supporting Actor

Mark Rylance
Nomination

Best Original Screenplay

Nomination

Best Art Direction

22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 2016

Mark Rylance
Nomination

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Rylance

31st Artios Awards 2016

Nomination

Big Budget – Drama

73rd Golden Globe Awards 2016

Mark Rylance
Nomination

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy

Mark Rylance

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Bridge of Spies

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Read the complete plot summary of Bridge of Spies, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In the intense heat of summer 1957, the life of Rudolf Abel took a drastic turn as he found himself charged with espionage for the Soviet Union. Amidst this turmoil, James B. Donovan, a former general counsel to the Office of Strategic Services, stepped up to represent Abel, fully aware of the formidable challenge ahead. Driven by an unwavering belief in his client’s right to a robust defense, Donovan maintained strict confidentiality regarding his communications with Abel, fiercely resisting the CIA’s persistent pressure to disclose them.

As the trial unfolded, Donovan fought diligently, ultimately convincing the judge to impose a 30-year prison sentence on Abel rather than death. However, Donovan’s resolve didn’t stop there; he appealed the conviction to the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of the seizure of Abel’s ciphers and photographic materials due to the absence of a search warrant. This determination came at a personal cost, as Donovan and his family faced harassment, including shots being fired at their home. Even though the Supreme Court upheld the conviction by a narrow margin, Donovan’s commitment to justice remained unshaken.

As the Cold War intensified, time marched on. In 1960, CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers found himself shot down over Soviet territory, which resulted in a ten-year sentence—three of which would be spent in prison. Just when hope seemed scarce, Donovan received an unexpected letter from East Germany, purportedly from Abel’s wife, expressing gratitude for his efforts and encouraging him to reach out to their lawyer, Vogel.

The CIA seized this as an opportunity, hinting that the USSR might consider exchanging Powers for Abel. They covertly approached Donovan for negotiations in Berlin, amid the rising tensions and the construction of the Berlin Wall. Upon entering East Berlin, Donovan met with a KGB officer at the Soviet Embassy, who directed him to Vogel, representing the Attorney General of the German Democratic Republic. The Attorney General’s proposal was to exchange Abel for Frederic Pryor, an American student arrested in East Germany, hoping for recognition from the United States in the process.

Despite the CIA’s insistence that Donovan focus on securing Powers’ release, he stood firm in his resolve to free both men. With bold strategy, Donovan sent a powerful message to the Attorney General, declaring that the release of either Pryor or Powers alone would not suffice for a deal. The scene became increasingly tense as time dwindled; it became clear that Pryor was delayed. The CIA, eager to secure Powers’ safety, signaled for Abel to return, yet the seasoned diplomat refused to compromise, fueled by profound respect for Donovan’s relentless dedication to both cases.

In a tense climax, confirmation arrived that Pryor had indeed been released, setting the stage for the long-awaited exchange at the historic Glienicke Bridge. The day following the successful exchange, back in the United States, the government publicly recognized Donovan’s crucial role in orchestrating the operation, transforming his public image and solidifying his standing as a skilled mediator in international affairs.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Bridge of Spies

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Bridge of Spies. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Theatrical Trailer #2

Theatrical Trailer #1

Cars Featured in Bridge of Spies

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Explore all cars featured in Bridge of Spies, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AWZ

1957

P70

BMW

1965

700 LS Coupé

Borgward

1958

Isabella Cabriolet

Buick

1947

Roadmaster

Buick

1958

Special

Buick

1962

unknown

Cadillac

1951

Series 62

Checker

1970

Taxicab

Chevrolet

1955

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1957

Bel Air

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


lawyercold warberlin wallspyeast germanyborder crossingberlin germanycia central intelligence agencyamerican abroadreconnaissance planesoviet spycourtroomu.s. supreme courttrialespionagepilotjusticeeast berlin east germanynew york citycia agentprisoner exchangebased on true storybased on bookwest germany1960sadvanced technologyattorney generalfbi federal bureau of investigationborder checkpointmilitary uniformu.s. soviet relationssoviet officialsoviet militarycold war eraspy thrillerinspired by a true storyamerican in germanyhistorical dramapolitical thrillerinsurance lawyerpainting a self portraitpeshawar pakistancheckpoint charliecia directorallen dulles characterrudolph abel characterespionage thrillerspy missionperiod dramafrancis gary powers character

Articles, Reviews & Explainers About Bridge of Spies

Stay updated on Bridge of Spies with in-depth articles, critical reviews, and ending explainers. Explore hidden meanings, major themes, and expert insights into the film’s story and impact.


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