Bridge of Spies Blu-ray review

Feb 02, 2016- Permalink

In my review of Bridge of Spies’ theatrical release, I said that “Bridge of Spies is a film that find its strength in its convictions.” This isn’t a loud summer blockbuster but a mature, taut Cold War thriller. I was eager to see its Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray transfer is very good. It’s a 1080p video transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Details abound, whether it’s in the heavy winter overcoats or the stone and brick of New York and Berlin. Skin colours are realistic and in a movie that has a lot of action in the shadows of a cold and grey Berlin, black levels are nice and deep. There’s some occasional softness in the backgrounds but apart from that the image is very sharp. The video presentation does not disappoint.

On the audio end of things, we get an English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack as well as French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. Subtitles are available for English SDH, French and Spanish. The surround tracks immerse you in the world of the film adding lifelike details like passing cars, footsteps, clacking typewriters and putting you in the centre of the proceedings. Dialogue is clear and well-placed in the centre channel.

The disc also comes with four featurettes: a look at the real-life events the film explores, an examination of the Berlin Wall and how the film recreated it, a look at the U-2 spy plane and the historical details of the spy swap, including a visit with Chancellor Angela Merkel.