Disney and Dreamworks invite you to take a step back into an era of espionage and Cold War. Steven Spielberg directs 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. Bring home this high stakes suspense story on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack
About Bridge of Spies
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.
CAST:
- Tom Hanks (Saving Mr. Banks, Philadelphia and Forrest Gump) as James Donovan
- Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall, The Other Boleyn Girl) as Rudolf Abel
- Amy Ryan (Birdman, Goosebumps) as Mary Donovan
- Sebastian Koch (TV’s “Homeland,” The Danish Girl) as Wolfgang Vogel
- Alan Alda (The Aviator, Crimes and Misdemeanors) as Thomas Watters
- Austin Stowell (Whiplash, TNT’s “Public Morals”) as Francis Gary Powers
- Mikhail Gorevoy (Die Another Day, BBC’s “Space Race”) as Ivan Schischkin
- Will Rogers (A Good Marriage, The Bay) as Frederic Pryor.
BONUS FEATURES:
- A CASE OF THE COLD WAR: BRIDGE OF SPIES – The story of James Donovan, Francis Gary Powers and Rudolf Abel encapsulates the Cold War era—a tense political climate shrouded in propaganda, espionage and the threat of nuclear war. This piece explores the characters and the real-life people they’re based on, ordinary men in extraordinary circumstances. Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks share personal stories of the Cold War, describing how experiences from their youth were part of the attraction to the script, how this influenced the way they approached the film and why the history behind Bride Of Spies resonates across generations and is relevant in today’s political climate.
- U-2 SPY PLANE: BEALE AIR FORCE BASE – Showcases spectacular footage shot at the Beale Air Force Base of the U-2 plane and the scene where Powers and other pilots are instructed about their spying mission, including a cameo appearance in the film by Francis Gary Powers son, Gary Powers Jr. and discussion with the Air Force liaison about the significance of the scene and why they got behind the film
- SPY SWAP: LOOKING BACK ON THE FINAL ACT – Steven Spielberg and his team stage the pivotal scene of the film at Glienicke Bridge, the very same location where the historic exchange of Soviet spy Rudolf Abel and U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers took place. Gary Powers Jr. shares his memories of his father’s experience with voiceover recordings from Francis Gary Powers, as filmmakers and the cast recreate a page of Cold War history while filming in the presence of Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- BERLIN 1961: RECREATING THE DIVIDE – A mix of behind-the-scenes footage with iconic archival imagery transports viewers to another place and time as the filmmakers construct the Berlin Wall, envision what it was like to cross through Checkpoint Charlie, and recreate the divide. On set in Berlin just days after the 25th anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a historian who lived through the experience describes what being there means to her. In Poland, where the Wall was recreated for the film, tanks, hundreds of extras and powerful sequences make the setting feel epic and surreal. * Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer
Mom Maven’s Thoughts
Ron, Jordan and I watched Bridge of Spies together on Friday night. We all were quickly drawn into the movie. I feel this is a must-see for all middle school and high school students studying the Cold War. It is rated PG-13 for some violence and brief strong language. The acting and storytelling is top notch. There were a few times where we all felt it got a tad slow but I think that was a necessary part of the storytelling.
After watching the movie, Ron and I watched all of the bonus features and we were very impressed. We felt like we had just attended a history class about the Cold War. When you get the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack
Make sure you follow the movie on social media, it’s on Facebook, Twitter and it’s own website.
Have you seen Bridge of Spies yet? What are your thoughts on the movie?
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