Bridges Of Spies Historical Accuracy

The film, “Bridges of Spies” did accurately portray the historical events during the Cold War, but to an extent it did have some discrepancies in the film. This film portrayed the Cold War and the Communist hysteria very accurately. The film got the part of the prisoner exchange correct. The prisoner exchange occurred at Glienicke Bridge on February 10, 1962. First, the Yale college student, Frederic L. Pryor, was released at Checkpoint Charlie. Then the United States received confirmation of the release of Pryor then allowed for Rudolf Abel to start walking across the bridge. According to “Bridge Of Spies Reel VS. Real” it states,” Soviet spy Rudolf Abel was then swapped at Glienicke Bridge for downed American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers.”

Another event the film got correct is that Abel was able to avoid the death penalty. James Donovan was able to convince Judge Byers to not give Abel the death penalty.

Donovan was able to convince the Judge by providing an argument that in the future it is possible that an American spy will be captured by Soviet Russia and there could be an exchange of prisoners, which would be in the best interests of the United States to not sentence Abel for the death penalty. According to “Spies Swapped,”it states Abel kept his silence, but the latter prophecy came true in 1962 when he was exchanged for Powers in Berlin.” After 5 years Donovan’s argument came true when the Soviet Union shot down the U-2 spy plane, which carried Powers. Donovan's family did receive threatening phone calls and letters due to the highly controversial court case. Many Americans were upset and disgusted that an American lawyer was defending a Soviet spy and a “traitor” as Donovan’s wife described Abel as. However, during the movie it showed a scene where the windows of Donovan’s home were shot at, this was historically wrong. This was the film’s way to show the severity of this case and situation, and the nationalism of the American people during the time of the Cold War. During Donovan’s time in Berlin and his travels from West Berlin to East Berlin he encounter many

situations. However, according to “Strangers On A Bridge,” he did not witness people escaping East Germany being shot at near the Berlin Wall. According to Donovan’s account he had only witnessed East German guards positioned at the Berlin Wall with observation towers equipped with machine guns. The film was effective in conveying its message to the audience because it portrays the main historical content that actually happened in real life correctly. The film portrayed the court trial and also the point of view from the American people correctly. During the Cold War I would think that there is a great sense of American pride during this time and this film portrays that when people on the train read the newspaper about an American lawyer defending a Soviet spy and gives Donovan looks of disapproval. However, in another scene after the exchange the people on the train gives Donovan looks of respect and realize that Donovan was defending the spy as a public service for the United States. This film fully captured the American people’s reaction to this situation and correctly captured the events leading up to the prisoner exchange and how the prisoner exchange occurred. There were minor details that the film got wrong, but the overall meaning of the film was not impacted by a couple false or exaggerated details portrayed in the film.