The 2015 historical drama, Bridge of Spies, will soon be available to stream on BBC iPlayer for free. It arrives on the platform on September 3 and fans of the war drama genre are overjoyed.
Directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, the film’s screenplay was penned by the Coen brothers and Matt Charman. Starring Tom Hanks in the lead alongside Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda, the movie went on to become a critical and commercial success after its release.
The synopsis of the film reads: During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures US pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers’ only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release.
Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man’s freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.
The name of the film refers to the Glienicke Bridge which connects Berlin with Potsdam, where the famous prisoner exchange took place. Bridge of Spies was an international co-production between the US, Germany, India, and the UK.
Shot under the working title St. James Place, the movie was a roaring box-office success, grossing approximately $165 million worldwide against a $40 million production budget.
Critical acclaim also ran abound for the Spielberg directorial, with the film receiving six Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, and bagging a win for Rylance in the Best Supporting Actor category.
With a glowing 91 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the movie garnered heaps of praise. One critic wrote: “From start to finish, Bridge of Spies is an engrossing, expertly made picture from Spielberg, and its historical merits, paired with its contemporary political relevancies, make it a supremely important American film for today.”
While another commended Hanks and Rylance’s performances: “The story is strong and uplifting, the performances from Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance are top notch, and it once again reminds us that Steven Spielberg is still the master.”
A third reviewer said: “This is a filmmaker with a lifetime of skill and experience, crafting his vintage pictures with style and grace, and we’re all better off for it.”
One fan of the film said: “Another triumph from Steven Spielberg and another outstanding performance from Tom Hanks. Also an excellent performance from Mark Rylance.”
While another viewer added: “Everything you expect from Spielberg is here: The grandiose, epic sweep of the story; the meticulously planned and executed camera work and lighting; the fantastic performances (Hanks and Rylance are perfectly cast); and, of course, the emotional impact of a gripping climactic scene. This is also one of the best, if not the best, period pieces I’ve ever seen. The man [Spielberg] is one of the most amazing filmmakers of all time.”
Bridge of Spies is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer from September 3.