Bridge of Spies

Brooklyn 1957. Rudolf Abel painting self-portrait. Soviet spy in America. FBI raids apartment. Caught. Before trial. Cold War paranoia. Insurance lawyer James Donovan comfortable life. Families, normalcy. Worlds about to collide.

Donovan to sons: "Would it be okay if I testified he was a good man but a bad guy?" Theme of principle over popularity, defending unpopular causes, and what defines good man. Fairness matters even for enemies.

Donovan insurance lawyer, family man. Partner asks him to defend Abel. Show trial. Everyone expects guilty plea. Appearance of justice. Donovan reluctant. Not criminal lawyer. But asked by partners. Sense of duty.

Donovan meets Abel. Surprisingly dignified man. "Would it help?" Donovan decides to actually defend him properly. Not just go through motions. Everyone expects show. Donovan will give real defense. Entering controversial case.

Should Donovan really defend Soviet spy? Family endangered. Public hates him. House shot at. Sons bullied. Wife frightened. But Constitution matters. Even for spies. Every man deserves counsel. Principle vs. safety. He persists.

Abel convicted but Donovan argues against death penalty. Keep him alive for potential exchange. Supreme Court appeal fails. But no execution. CIA appreciates foresight. Enters world where defending enemy makes him asset. Unpopular stance becomes strategic.

Donovan and Abel relationship. Respect growing. "Standing man" story. Dignity under pressure. Also Donovan and family. Wife worried. Sons watching father principle. Teaching by example. Relationships tested by duty.

U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers shot down over USSR. Captured. CIA wants Donovan to negotiate exchange in Berlin. Amateur diplomat. East Berlin dangerous. Promise: Cold War negotiation thriller. One lawyer vs. superpowers. Principles meeting espionage.

Berlin Wall going up. Donovan negotiating with KGB and East Germans. American student Pryor also arrested. Can he get both? False victory: Soviets want deal! But complications. Two prisoners, one spy. Stakes raised: save both or choose?

CIA wants only Powers. East Germans holding Pryor separately. Donovan insists both or no deal. Pressure from CIA, Soviets, Germans. Time running out. Complex three-way negotiation. Everyone angry at Donovan. Impossible situation.

Deal falling apart. Soviets will not include Pryor. CIA ordering Donovan to accept Powers only. Pryor will be left behind. Conscience vs. orders. Cannot save everyone. Student abandoned. Failure imminent. Moral compromise forced.

Donovan alone in hotel. Principle colliding with reality. Cannot save Pryor without losing Powers. But cannot abandon innocent student. Weight of lives. Cold calculation vs. moral imperative. Prayer for wisdom. Crisis of conscience.

Donovan bluffs. Tells Soviets deal off unless Pryor included. Risks everything. Synthesis: principle non-negotiable even against superpowers. Standing man. CIA furious but Donovan committed. Both prisoners or nothing. Courage wins.

Glienicke Bridge exchange. Powers for Abel. Pryor released separately - Donovan won! Both Americans freed. Soviets respect Donovan integrity. Mission impossible accomplished. Ordinary lawyer defeated Cold War bureaucracy through principle. Triumph of decency.

Donovan returns Brooklyn. Train ride. Anonymous. No public credit. Family knows. Sons proud. Wife relieved. Did right thing despite cost. Standing man went home. Quiet heroism. Principles vindicated. Normal life resumed, changed man.