Movie Nights for Thinkers and Seekers

“Bridge of Spies” starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, 2015, PG-13, 142 minutes

Major themes:

• Cold War • Justice • Honor • Courage • Espionage • Fear • Danger • Worry • Truth

Major characters:

• James B. Donovan • Mary Donovan • Rudolf Abel • Wolfgang Vogel • Thomas Watters • Francis Gary Powers

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Movie Nights for Thinkers and Seekers

Background info:

• This film is based on a 1960 – 1962 incident involving a U-2 spy plane during the Cold War. • The Cold War refers to a state of political and military tension after World War II between powers in the Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union & allies) and Western Bloc (U.S. & allies). • The U-2 spy plane is a technological marvel that pushes the extreme limits of powered flight; it can fly for more than 10 hours with a range of 7,000 miles, farther than most commercial airliners, and can reach altitudes of 70,000 feet. Despite being fragile and difficult to maneuver, it has proved valuable from its early flights over the Soviet Union, to the modern conflict in Afghanistan. • During the Cold War, West Berlin was an island inside Soviet-controlled East German territory. West Germany was far more prosperous than East Germany, which had been stripped of much of its manufacturing capacity by the Soviets at the end of the war. Consequently, many East Germans tried to leave to go to the West through Berlin, an embarrassment to the Communist nations. East Germany, backed by the Soviets, built a wall more than a hundred miles long around West Berlin to prevent anyone from East Germany escaping to West Berlin. Watchtowers studded the wall, and anyone trying to get into West Berlin risked imprisonment or death. The wall served as a menacing symbol of the Cold War. • Filming took place in Germany, USA, and Poland. • Rudolf Abel’s seemingly incongruous accent was accurate. Abel was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Russian parents and spent some of his early years in Scotland. He returned to Moscow in his late teens, but never lost his accent when speaking English. • The rock band U2 took their name from the U-2 spy plane. Lead singer Bono’s daughter, Eve Hewson, plays Carol Donovan.

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Movie Nights for Thinkers and Seekers

Scriptures:

Isaiah 56:1 – 2 (NLT) – “This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.”

Amos 5:21 – 24 (The Message) – “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.”

Philippians 2:3 – 4 (NIV) – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Matthew 14:27 (NLT) – “Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don't be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage. I am here!’”

Romans 5:35, 37 (NLT) – “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Mathew 6:34 (NLT) – “So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”

John 8:32 (The Message) – “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”

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Movie Nights for Thinkers and Seekers

Discussion points:

1. What impact did the Cold War have on the U.S. judicial system, as seen in this film?

2. What qualities did Jim Donovan possess that made him an excellent negotiator in tense situations?

3. James Donovan said of Rudolf Abel, “You can't accuse this man of treason, he's not a traitor. He's actually a patriot to his cause.” Do you agree or disagree, and why?

4. The jury made its decision to convict Rudolf Abel after only 3-1/2 hours of deliberation. Do you think that justice was served; why or why not?

5. What made the trip to Berlin a dangerous assignment for Jim Donovan? How did he respond to the dangers he faced?

6. Rudolf Abel often replied, “Would it help?” How did his perspective affect him and others in stressful situations?

7. Donavan said, “Look, he matters too. Every person matters.” In what arena of our culture do you think this principle most needs to be spoken, understood, and acted upon?