Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, Bridge of Spies (2015) is a gripping Cold War thriller based on true events. It follows lawyer James Donovan, who is thrust into international intrigue when he’s asked to negotiate a high-stakes prisoner exchange between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Think you remember the facts behind the fiction? Test your knowledge of spycraft, diplomacy, and historical drama with our 10-question trivia quiz. Only true history buffs and espionage fans will make it across the bridge.
Bridge of Spies Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers and detailed explanations for all ten questions from our Bridge of Spies trivia challenge — a masterful Cold War drama based on real historical events:
1) Who directed Bridge of Spies (2015)?
Correct Answer: Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg brings his signature craftsmanship and historical sensitivity to Bridge of Spies. His direction balances suspense, character depth, and moral nuance, making the film not only a spy thriller but a meditation on justice and diplomacy.
2) Who plays the lead role of lawyer James Donovan?
Correct Answer: Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks stars as James Donovan, a principled insurance lawyer who becomes an unlikely negotiator between two superpowers. Hanks portrays Donovan with his trademark mix of warmth and quiet determination, grounding the film in a relatable moral center.
3) Which Cold War event is central to the film’s plot?
Correct Answer: U-2 spy plane incident
The film is set against the backdrop of the 1960 U-2 incident, when American pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet airspace. This real-world crisis serves as the catalyst for the prisoner exchange negotiations that dominate the film’s second half.
4) What is Rudolf Abel accused of?
Correct Answer: Spying for the Soviet Union
Rudolf Abel, portrayed by Mark Rylance, is arrested in the U.S. and charged with espionage. He is a quiet, unassuming man who is later revealed to be a KGB agent. Despite national pressure, Donovan insists on giving Abel a fair trial, reinforcing American legal values.
5) Which intelligence agency arrests Abel at the beginning of the film?
Correct Answer: FBI
The FBI captures Abel in New York City after a surveillance operation. His arrest is handled with secrecy and caution, as the U.S. government wants to minimize public attention to international espionage during the tense Cold War era.
6) What is Donovan asked to negotiate?
Correct Answer: A prisoner exchange
Donovan is asked by the CIA to unofficially negotiate a swap: Soviet spy Rudolf Abel for captured American pilot Francis Gary Powers. As the film progresses, he also pushes to include a third person — an American student held by East Germany — showcasing his diplomatic finesse and moral resolve.
7) What is the name of the American pilot captured by the Soviets?
Correct Answer: Francis Gary Powers
Powers was a U.S. Air Force pilot flying a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft when he was shot down and captured by the Soviets. His detainment became a major international incident and placed pressure on both governments to find a diplomatic resolution.
8) What is the “bridge” in the title referring to?
Correct Answer: Glienicke Bridge
Glienicke Bridge, also known as the “Bridge of Spies,” connects Potsdam and Berlin and was used during the Cold War for spy exchanges between the West and the Soviet bloc. The film’s climax takes place on this bridge, where the prisoner swap is carried out under intense scrutiny.
9) Which country secretly holds an American economics student Donovan also tries to free?
Correct Answer: East Germany
Donovan negotiates not only with the Soviets but also with East German officials to secure the release of Frederic Pryor, an American student wrongfully detained. Including him in the deal complicates the negotiations but ultimately strengthens Donovan’s sense of purpose and justice.
10) What trait best defines Donovan’s role throughout the film?
Correct Answer: Integrity
James Donovan’s unwavering integrity is what sets him apart. Despite pressure from the CIA, the courts, and even his own family, he remains committed to the principles of fairness, due process, and the value of human life — no matter whose side they’re on. His ethics are the emotional and philosophical heart of the film.
