Spielberg’s Brings History Alive in the “Bridge of Spies”

After Lincoln earned rave reviews for the storyline, direction, and acting, director Steven Spielberg realized his passion for history. His latest film, “Bridge of Spies,” is based on the real life story of lawyer James B. Donovan played by Tom Hanks. The story takes place in the 1950s and 60s where Hank’s character is that of an insurance lawyer in New York having the courage of a man who believes in doing the right thing at any cost.

The story picks up when the government asks Hank’s character to defend Rudolf Abel, an alleged Soviet spy, played by British actor Mark Rylance. The important people in Donovan’s life, his wife (Amy Ryan), law partner (Alan Alda), and his kids, do not support him defending an alleged Soviet spy.

Donavon believes that everyone has a right to justice even if it is someone convicted of spying. Remember that back in the day people feared the “Red Menace,” which refers to the threat of rising communism. For Donovan to defend a man convicted of spying would create a commotion amongst people who will condemn his choice for taking the case. As the case progresses forward, Donovan and Abel form an unusual friendship that looks past their differing ideologies.

Moreover, Donovan manages to make a trade in East Germany for two American captives, Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), a U-2 pilot, and Frederick Pryor (Will Rogers), a student. In the two-hour movie, viewers will feel the struggle Donovan went through when everyone in his life stood on the other side of his decision. Donovan didn’t stand down, but remained stubborn saying that he would go ahead and defend the suspected Soviet spy even it might cost him his life.

Spielberg said, “You really test yourself when everybody says this is not a good choice and you persevere.” One of the main reasons the renowned director choose to retell the story of James Donovan was because the lawyer manages to prove everyone who opposed his decision wrong. In order to tell the story, the director says, “[…] I need to make these decisions in concert with myself. I can’t tell somebody else’s story if I don’t believe in the story.”

Spielberg recalled a similar experience as Donovan when he was trying to get the 1982 iconic movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial produced. Several production houses turned him down, saying the movie sounded like a cartoon for kids that you would show on Saturday. In the end, Spielberg got the last laugh when his movie broke records to become a worldwide sensation. Spielberg is not the only director to receive rejection for a project he believed in so much though. George Lucas, when trying to get Star Wars made, went through a similar scenario, as production companies thought it was a soap opera.

For this reason, Spielberg shares an uncanny connection with Donovan although not on such a grand scale. In fact, the director grew up in the Cold War era, giving him more of a reason to get this movie up on the big screen.

The movie will hit theaters on October 16, 2015 and the next movie on the line-up is Spielberg’s BFG, an adaption of story by Roald Dahl, which will be in theaters on July 1.