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Watch 'Bridge of Spies' Tonight: Cold War Thrills Await!

9/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

"Bridge of Spies," a Cold War thriller featuring Tom Hanks, is available on BBC iPlayer.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film earned six Academy Award nominations and won one for Mark Rylance.
It depicts a lawyer's efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange during the Cold War.
The film will be broadcast on BBC Two tonight at 10:40 PM.

History

Historical Context

The U-2 incident in 1960 heightened Cold War tensions, culminating in the 1962 prisoner exchange of U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel at the Glienicke Bridge, known as the "Bridge of Spies." This exchange exemplified the intense espionage rivalry and legal complexities of the era, influencing subsequent diplomatic relations and inspiring the 2015 film "Bridge of Spies."

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Story summary

"Bridge of Spies," a Cold War thriller featuring Tom Hanks, is available on BBC iPlayer.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film earned six Academy Award nominations and won one for Mark Rylance.
It depicts a lawyer's efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange during the Cold War.
The film will be broadcast on BBC Two tonight at 10:40 PM.

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