Rating: 
Summary: Good, but very 80's
Review: Ok, so the book was really complex. This movie captures some of that complexity; a great deal more than the newer version does. However. It's a TV miniseries, with no sense of humor at all (this doesn't mean you won't laugh - check out the love scene), and a limited effects budget. And some really overblown acting in places. And it still manages to be way more faithful to the book. I seem to remember it being so much better... It helped that I was a kid and living in the 80's at the time and didn't know any better, I suppose. It's still really good, but that's more an effect of sticking to Robert Ludlum's plot than anything. And his plot was really superb, so that does go a long way toward making up for the other stuff. Go read the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Bourne TV Miniseries
Review: Richard Chamberlain turns in an excellent performances in this made for TV version of Robert Ludlums great novel "The Bourne Identity". Jaclyn Smith shouldn't be an actress. Fortunately she is not carrying the movie. The other support cast is magnificent, and quite honestly beat out the Matt Damon versions in that respect. Fans of the Damon movie versions may not find quite as much action or special effects as in the new versions, but this TV version still is very well done. Considering the price and when this version was released, it has held up very well. This version is not the same either other than the overall premise, so even those that have seen the new version should find this one interesting. This version is truer to the book and Chamberlain is truer to the character. Fans of the Tom Clancy books and movies should enjoy it too. I own the newer versions as well and I thoroughly enjoyed this version. If you are a fan of Richard Chamberlain or spy dramas you will definitely want to get this one. Be sure to pre-order Ice Station Zebra too.
Rating: 
Summary: "One of the best thrillers of all time!"
Review: The book is one of the few that i really treasure and much to my delight, it was turn into a tv miniseries with two of my fave actors, Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith--the King & Queen of Miniseries! This is a well-made action/thriller with beautiful and haunting music by Laurence Rosenthal and piercing photography by Tony Pierce. Acting wise, both actors are superb. Jaclyn Smith is excellent as the Canadian economist kidnapped by Bourne. The scene where she is trying to escape from Bourne, running and trying to grab moving cars' doors is one of the highlights and the time where she was being assaulted by the guy who is going to kill her is well executed. Richard Chamberlain is superb, although not my first choice, and he deserves the Golden Globe nomination for the role. Their on screen action scenes where Chamberlain used Smith as a hostage, running inside the car park, will grab you in your seat! This is a violent, explosive, screaming with thrill and suspense espionage. A definite must for lovers of this genre!
Rating:
Summary: "One of the best thrillers of all time!"
Review: The book is one of the few that i really treasure and much to my delight, it was turn into a tv miniseries with two of my fave actors, Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith--the King & Queen of Miniseries! This is a well-made action/thriller with beautiful and haunting music by Laurence Rosenthal and piercing photography by Tony Pierce. Acting wise, both actors are superb. Jaclyn Smith is excellent as the Canadian economist kidnapped by Bourne. The scene where she is trying to escape from Bourne, running and trying to grab moving cars' doors is one of the highlights and the time where she was being assaulted by the guy who is going to kill her is well executed. Richard Chamberlain is superb, although not my first choice, and he deserves the Golden Globe nomination for the role. Their on screen action scenes where Chamberlain used Smith as a hostage, running inside the car park, will grab you in your seat! This is a violent, explosive, screaming with thrill and suspense espionage. A definite must for lovers of this genre!
Rating:
Summary: Bourne is a lot nicer than in the book.
Review: This is an intriguing movie and it will hold your attention from beginning to end. The plot is well conceived and there are no holes to drive trucks through. They could not have picked better actors for the characters. They may not match the descriptions in the book; but this is not a book. The Bourne in the movie is much nicer. You have to make allowances for the transformation to the screen. However he does a lot more borrowing instead of stealing and is not as vicious with people on his travels. Unlike the movie [Three Days of the Condor ASIN: 6300216748 (see my review September 25, 2000)], They did not let director distort the story for his own agenda. Basic story is someone wakes up with amnesia and naturally must find out who he is and why someone wants to kill him? As with all the amnesia stories he could be good, bad, or (I'm not going to say ugly) the person he is seeking.
Rating:
Summary: Superb adaptation and should get big screen release in 1988
Review: This is one amazing movie made for TV ,I rate this as the best movie ever come out from a small screen,everything rite from the casting ,writing,acting ,direction and superb music score rate 5 star.Frankly speaking till now after more then 14 years I still wondering why it didnt get a big screen release in 1988.I've seen it for countless time and it still pack a powerfull punch after all this while.I just got my DVD copy last nite and I was so glad to see it being release in a wide screen format and it make me feel like i was watching a big screen movie.The casting of Richard Chamberlaine is perfect he give a powerfull performance as Jason Bourne he was nominated for golden globe award for his work in this movie. The remake version with Matt Damon cant top this 1988 release.
Rating:
Summary: Great story!
Review: This movie is an "on-the-edge-of-your-seat" kind of movie! From the beginning scene to the very last scene, you're riveted to this story! You don't really know until the very end who the good guys are--or the bad guys. I saw it years ago (when it first came out on TV)--now that it's on video, I can hardly wait to see it again!!!!
Rating:
Summary: BOURNE TO LOSE!
Review: This spy thriller is fast-paced, full of intrigue, and mystery. Jason Bourne is in search of his identity! When he washes up on the beach with amnesia, he must quickly piece together his past. He discovers he can break down a gun on command, has a killer instinct, and someone wants him dead. Who? Why? What is it all about?
Richard Chamberlain gives one of the most powerful performances of his career, as Jason Bourne, in this non-stop, gripping, action thriller. Richard Chamberlain is the quintessential Jason Bourne! He has a way of capturing the very lifeblood of his character, defining him, with credibility, integrity, and significance. He is so wonderful in this role....he takes you on an inner journey as well....you feel his terror....in all its gripping emotion....just as the character experiences it. It becomes a most wondrous odyssey! Jacklyn Smith, his beautiful leading lady, plays an economist, taken hostage by the mystery man. She soon becomes his lover, and accomplice, supporting him in his quest for truth. There is an amazing, mature, chemistry between these wonderful actors, very classy and subtle.
This version is far superior to the later release with Matt Damon. It has intrigue, mystery, romance, and is the best adaptation of Robert Ludlum's best selling novel. It is sheer perfection in every category, with magnificent actors, wonderful photography, superb writing/direction, and one of the most fabulous musical scores ever. Richard Chamberlain was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in this movie. Though he did not win, he won the hearts of his fans, and a very special place in my library, on my Richard Chamberlain shelf.
Rating:
Summary: This miniseries brings the book to life.
Review: Unlike the Matt Damon movie (which I adore), this version of the Bourne Identity is very true to the book, with the only changes being some simplifications that didn't hurt the plot a bit. So if you liked the book, I recommend the miniseries. I think you'll enjoy seeing it come to life. I certainly did.
I did not think Richard Chamberlain was miscast, as some have said. I actually think he was probably more what Ludlum had in mind when he wrote the character-a sophisticated, well-traveled, well-trained assassin, reminiscent of James Bond. I also think that Jaclyn Smith was more the Marie that Ludlum intended, as well. Their chemistry worked for me.
Rating:
Summary: Go with the original
Review: Well I wanted to give Matt Damon a chance so I just saw the remake. Almost totally untrue to the book. In the original movie and book, Bourne is a construct that Treadstone is using to draw out an international terrorist and killer. The remade of the movie changes the entire premise of the the story. Since I can't give away the plot I'll just have to say that I was very disappointed that Ludlum's fine work was butchered so badly by the remake with Damon. Let's hope that the original will come out on DVD soon and put this poor remake to rest. I definately wouldn't pay to see it again.
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