Wednesday, January 18, 2017

"Bridge of Spies"



Oh dear, I am a bit out of it...it just took me three tries to find that "new post" button on this blog to begin writing this post! I believe that I am having a reaction to a shot that I got yesterday at my annual physical.  This is like having the flu...body aches, shortness of breath...but hey, I look good anyway! HA! (You have no idea how funny that really is!)
Anyway, folks, I was able to watch a very good movie last night all wrapped in my housecoat and I want to tell you to make sure you watch it!  It is "Bridge of Spies" and it is based on a true story of...well, spies, of course!   It is based on a book by the same title by Giles Whittell, a British journalist who is a lead writer for the Times.  Funny thing, I just read that the author sued DreamWorks (the studio behind the film owned by Stephen Spielberg who also directed the movie) because they did not have his permission to use the title. Oops!  (Not sure how this turned out, I imagine some settlement might have been involved, just a guess, I really don't know.)
Reading the true stories behind each character in the movie, I found them all to be fascinating.  I urge you to read more about them AND to see the film.  Of course, liberties are always taken in filmmaking (Hollywood!) but for me, true stories are always the best.  Hey, I am so feverish, I might even read a novel!  Nah, that is NOT going to happen!

James Donovan
Gary Powers
Rudolf Abel
Frederic Pryor


The name of the film refers to the Glienicke Bridge which connects Pottsdam to Berlin.  I have never been there but I have a photo of the Millennium Bridge from London for you! That might be the closest I ever get to Berlin.  (My Dad was in Berlin just after World War II when he was only 18 years old. Oh dear, that will be for another post!)



36 comments:

  1. We saw Bridge of Spies last year, and thought it an excellent film. I don't usually like thrillers, but I do love history, so good all round!

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    1. I like movies based on real events from history too!
      Glad you liked it. Let me know of any that you have seen that you think I should see too!

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  2. Oh dear! I hope you feel better soon, Kay. That's no fun at all. I'll keep that movie in mind for after I get done with all my projects that is consuming my time right now. Sigh...

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    1. Oh yes, honey, I know just what you mean, always so many things to do!
      I am doing better now, thanks!

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  3. I've been waiting for it to be shown on television. It is a great story.

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    1. I saw it on TV, it was on STARZ, I think!

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    2. Sorry, just looked it up...it was SHOWTIME!

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    3. I found it. It's on tonight so I'm recording to watch as soon as I can. Thanks

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    4. Oh good, let me know when you see it!

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  4. I've been in Berlin with my family in '92. We chipped off bits of the wall but I don't know where they are now. We were on a big trip from Budapest where we had been living for nine months to Hanover where Paul's great grandfather grew up (His gggrandfather was in the King's German Legion when Hanover belonged to England and fought at Waterloo) and on to Warsaw where there was a cousin of his we wanted to meet and also the best man from our wedding was on loan to the Polish government. What amazing times. I really have to see this movie.

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    1. You MUST see this movie! You have had such an interesting life, you should write a book!

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  5. And Kay, I hope you are feeling better right away! Meanwhile, be kind to yourself!

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  6. I have not yet seen the movie, but I've given the DVD to RJ as a Christmas present. Maybe I should ask him to lend me the DVD once he has watched it.
    The only time I've been in Berlin so far was in 2005, shortly after Steve and I got married. As a wedding present, we were invited to spend a long weekend there at one of our closest friend's brother's house. We were a small party of five, and had a great time exploring some of the historic sites. My impression of Berlin was that there, you can not escape history - it is very much in your face at every turn, in every corner.

    I hope the side effects of the shot will soon be gone and you'll be as right as rain again!

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    1. Yes, get that DVD back and watch the movie with OK!!
      Richard has visited Berlin but it was in the early 1980's when the wall was still intact. Since my Dad has talked of it so very much, I have always wanted to see it, not for just myself but for him too.
      And you know how very much I love your "right as rain" expression! Thank you, much better now. x

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  7. Hope you feel better soon, and have the good fortune to see many more good movies while you recover, if that's what you want to do!

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    1. Thanks, I do like to relax by watching a good film on TV. I don't know if you know this but I am big movie fan, but I don't usually like the new ones!!

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  8. It is strange that they would (presumably) have his permission to make a movie about the book, but not to use the title. If they based a movie on his book without his permission at all that's an entirely different story.

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    1. I don't quite understand it myself. Somehow, the fact that they used the same title as the book is what made the author file a lawsuit? Still, hopefully, it all worked out okay in the end with both sides moderately happy!

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  9. Not good you were feeling so bad, but at least you got to watch a movie you enjoyed. Hope today finds you feeing much better!

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    1. Yes, I might have to go back and watch it and see if I missed anything since I felt so weird and loopy!

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  10. This is a movie that I'm interested in watching. I saw the trailer awhile back and it looks like a good film. Plus, I like Tom Hanks.

    I hope you are feeling better!

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    1. OH yes, I like Tom Hanks too! I really should do a post about him!
      See this movie if you can, I just bet you will like it!

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  11. I definitely want to watch this.
    After I had a tetanus vaccine I was sick with a high fever the next day.

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    1. Hey John!
      You would like this movie, I know you would!
      I didn't have a high fever but I truly felt awful and it took me two days to get over it! Oh well, hopeful I don't have many more shots anytime soon.

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  12. Hi Kay, I saw Bridge of Spies and what a great, great movie! I watched it a couple of times as next time I had friends over and we all gave it a big thumb's up. Thanks for visiting. Happy New Year!

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    1. Hey! So happy you liked this too! Thanks for your sweet comment here too. Take care. :-)

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  13. I wanted to see "Bridge of Spies" when it was in the theatres but never got to it. So now I will try to stream it sometime! Didn't the (British) actor who played the Russian spy win an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor for this movie? Can't think of his name right now (Mark "Something," I believe) but he also portrays Thomas Cromwell in that British miniseries "Wolf Hall."

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    1. The actor, Mark Rylance, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor but lost to J.K.Simmons, in Whiplash.
      I think that's right, anyway!
      Just looked up Mark Rylance...man he is one busy fellow!

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    2. Of course, Rylance! Thanks for fact-checking! Well, JK Simmons gave a hell of a performance too, so fine.

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    3. Course I had to look it up, I could NOT remember that other actor's name just knew he was the one that does the TV advert for some insurance... I am terrible at remembering names, the worst, ask Richard, I drive him crazy!!

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    1. Thank you, Amy! I am astonished at how sick I became so quickly and just as quickly recovered. I am my old sassy self again! :-)

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  15. This movie is on my list, Kay! I saw a funny and inspiring clip on Jimmy Fallon where Fallon and Tom Hanks performed children's scripts for "Bridge of Spies." I bet you'd get a kick out of it: Here's a link, if you have time and are so inclined: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p1Iv9z8bOY

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