This Week’s Blu-ray: Bridge of Spies

The films Mad Max: Fury Road, The Revenant, and Spotlight received the most Academy Awards this year, and we accurately predicted Spotlight’s win for Best Picture. However, our editorial staff was particularly impressed by Bridge of Spies, a film that garnered less attention but achieved a noteworthy win for Best Supporting Actor, awarded to the exceptional Mark Rylance for his compelling portrayal of suspected spy Rudolf Abel.

Bridge of Spies recounts the story of Jim Donovan (Hanks) and his courageous efforts to negotiate a spy exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. While the premise may initially seem understated, the combination of Steven Spielberg’s direction, Tom Hanks’ performance, and the Coen brothers’ contributions to the screenplay creates a compelling cinematic experience. The film delivers on its potential.

Spanning 2 hours and 40 minutes, the film effectively blends drama, humor, and suspense. This runtime, though considerable, feels notably shorter, a testament to the film’s engaging narrative. The Blu-ray edition from Fox delivers high-quality visuals and audio, featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio track in 7.1, which enhances the film’s immersive atmosphere. The supplemental materials include short documentaries exploring the Cold War and 1950s Berlin, the setting for Bridge of Spies. These features offer valuable historical context, particularly for younger viewers unfamiliar with the era preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In conclusion, Bridge of Spies is a well-crafted spy thriller that merits viewing.