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Summary: TV's Boune Identity
Review: 1988's "The Bourne Identity" was a TV mini-series about a how Jason Bourne (Richard Chamberlain) tries to piece together his past that he can not remember. I am going to compare this movie to the 2002 movie staring Matt Damon, not to criticize it, but to show you the differences, that is all. Let's start with the plot. The 2002 movie was an excellent, very fast paced thriller, one of my favorite movies of all time. But that version only kept the bare bones of the original novel's plot. This version is much more faithful to Robert Ludlem's book; in fact it is almost a scene for scene literal translation ( with one minor change at the end). The length is significantly longer, a little over three hours. Matt Damon was very good at playing Jason Bourne. But I really feel Richard Chamberlain was actually closer to what Ludlem had in mind. Chamberlain is much more cultered, a more learned man. However, sometimes he had a tendency to deliver his lines like he was in William Shakespeare's "Henrey V" than in a TV movie (though to be fair, the writter didn't do him any favors; a lot of the dialogue sounded like it came from "All My Children"). Jaclyn Smith was more than a little off as the Canadian economist (just so happens he needes her banking know how for a lot of the story). I found her Marie to be extreamly annoying (the bad dialogue was given to her in spades it seemed); but I felt that way while reading the book, so I will say that nothing could be done to save that role. I felt that the side characters were the mini-series's saving grace. Anthony Quayle and Donald Moffat were great as the American Intellegence officers trying to figure out what happened to their deep cover mole. I also really liked Denholm Elliott as Dr. Washburn, though he was only in it briefly, he added an air of sophistication. The action was no where near the frantic pace that Doug Liman held in his 2002 movie. I feel, however, that director Roger Young was good at staging quick, brutal bursts of violence that happenes frequently in Bourne's life. And this is much bloodier than you would expect made for TV movies to be. Some nasty head shots, knife wounds, and an attempted rape that must have had the TV censors wetting them selves. Other than the words spewed out of the character's mouths, the only problem I had was at the beginnging, when Jason is dumped into the ocean. It looks like he is in a large water tank, or someone's swimming pool; it just looked fake. But the locations were authentic, and I loved them. I liked this version of "The Bourne Identity" a lot. It had a few flaws; but it had a lot of strengths, to. It is hard to keep my attention for 3 hours; so I consider the mini-series a success.
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Summary: Bourne to Review....again!!!
Review: After watching the dvd version of Matt Damon's version of "The Bourne Identity," I can't help myself but watch again(!) the tv miniseries version. The new version is the typical action movie of the current trend to suit the taste of today's movie lovers and I can't disagree with the new audience liking it(I enjoyed it!)and it's hard not to make a comparison but the main reason why this miniseries version is, I believe--and I know most fans will agree-- is the two stars, Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith. Both stars had a chemistry that Matt Damon and Franka Potente lack. Don't get me wrong, both Damon and Potente are good but the XXX factor doesn't click at all.Anyway, it's great having both in my collection and maybe years from now, I'll do another review and make a comparison --just in case things changes......
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Summary: Excellent TV production
Review: Based on what is arguably Robert Ludlum's best novel, and in truth one of the best of all spy thrillers ever written. Richard Chamberlain gives one of the stronger performances of his illustrious career as a man that knows less about himself than the viewer does at the beginning, and remains that way for almost the entire movie. Why is he able to immediately break down a gun when prompted? Why do men try to kill him for no reason? Why is he able to quickly defeat these attackers with fighting skills he never remembers learning? Why does he instinctually shoot a man in the throat? And ultimately, what does all of this have to do with an international terrorist known only as Carlos? The pacing is superbly handled, exposing bit by little bit of information as we learn more about this mysterious man. Great pacing, compelling mystery, exotic locales, and one of the most exciting finales ever made by a TV studio, The Bourne Identity is definitely a cut about the rest when it comes to television productions. For those of you that think all TV movies are despicable (a belief that I have adhered to for a very long time), know this: The Bourne Identity is one of a rare breed of TV movies that is actually worth your time.
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Summary: Great combination of action, suspense, and romance
Review: Excellent adaptation of Robert Ludlum's suspense novel. Faithful to the book as the viewer wonders along with Jason Bourne (Richard Chamberlain) if he really IS the cold-blooded killer everyone accuses him of being. Jaclyn Smith is good as the economist who becomes Bourne's unwilling accomplice, then his lover. A must for Richard Chamberlain fans.
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Summary: This movie remains true to the book from which it is taken.
Review: Except for a slight but noticeable change of events at the end of the movie this film remains true to the book. Good acting along with a good story makes for a good time and that is what happened here. By filming on local in various European settings the viewer enjoyes a beautiful piece of work. Not the best international intrigue movie ever written, for that check out THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR, but close to it.
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Summary: Romantic thriller
Review: Exciting, suspenseful adaptation of Ludlum's novel. Richard Chamberlain is excellent as a man searching desperately for his identity and staying one step ahead of all those trying to stop him. Jaclyn Smith gives one of her better performances as the economist who becomes first Bourne's hostage, then his lover. Great viewing!
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Summary: A good thriller, if somewhat ill balanced
Review: For people who have read the book by Ludlum, this movie will come at first as a bit of a disappointment. Chamberlain seems somewhat old for the role of Bourne and the plot has been greatly simplified. On the other hand, there are still enough turns to keep the attention and the supporting cast does a good job of filling out their somewhat two-dimensional characters. If you forget about the book, this is really quite a good movie. It is a bit overlong and especially the beginning has been stretched to much, but there is a lot of suspence and action so on the whole nobody needs to be bored.
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Summary: Rollercoaster of a movie...
Review: From the startling opening to the heart stopping climax, 'The Bourne Identity' is a riveting psychological thriller. Very true to Ludlum's book. Chamberlain is convincing in his role as Jason Bourne & Jaclyn Smith remains beautiful as the leading lady. Absolutely Terrific!
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Summary: Hellooooooooooo?
Review: Have any of the other reviewers read the book? Richard Chamberlain as Jason Bourne??? It reminds me of Adam West as Batman or Jason Bourne as a new character on All My Children. Please reread the book and hope that Matt Damon does a better job in 2002.
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Summary: Richard Chamberlain and Jacylyn Smith in the TV version
Review: I am another one of those people who did not check out the 1988 mini-series (why it is called a mini-series rather than a two-part made-for-television movie I do not know) based on Robert Ludlum's novel until after they had seen the 2002 theatrical thriller starring Matt Damon and Franka Potente. For that matter I also saw the 2004 sequel, "The Bourne Conspiracy" before I got to this DVD where the main roles are played by big time small screen stars and top drawer beautiful people Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith.
The character that we will come to know as Jason Bourne (Chamberlain) is shot on a fishing boat off the coast of France, falls overboard, and is washed ashore. He is taken care of by Geoffrey Washburn (Denholm Elliott), a defrocked doctor who is able to save Bourne's life and help him uncover the first clues as to solving the mystery of his identity. When they are attacked the question of his identity seems rather pressing, and "Bourne" heads off to investigate the first clue in Zurich. But just as the first pieces are beginning to fall into place guys with guns start showing up and shooting at Bourne and he ends up taking a hostage, a Canadian economist named Marie St. Jacques, who in the end becomes the one person he can really trust and the proverbial much, much more.
The first part is better than the second part, because it focuses primarily on the mystery of Chamberlain's character discovering who he "is," although all information is suspect, especially when it looks like Bourne is not just any trained assassin but the infamous Carlos. Granted, Chamberlain was 53 at that point and too old for the role, but it is actually one of his better performances as the King of the Mini-Series. Early on he has to pretend that he knows more than he does in order to get more information, and I like the bit he does when he is trying to dredge up information on places. Eventually he gets to the point when he has enough confidence to start putting the screws to people as he gets closer and closer to the truth. So, he might be too old but he is definitely doing more than just standing around and look pretty this time around.
The flaw in this version of "The Bourne Identity" is the romance between the two main characters. I know it is a Hollywood staple that this sort of thing is supposed to happen, and when you have a pair this good look it is one of those consummations devoutly to be wished you hear so much about, but I just did not buy it when Marie decides the appropriate reaction to everything that has happened to her is to throw her self as Jason. Aesthetics aside, it is just too much of a jump to bridge the first half and second half of the story. Then there is the way Marie embraces the mission, which certainly speaks well for Canadian women because usually the female character in this position is neither as intelligent nor as brave.
The second half becomes a race to see if Bourne can get the bad guys before the bad guys or the good guys get him. Things get a little muddled and it is not surprising that Bourne starts to lose it as everything starts coming down on his head. The action sequences are basically people shooting each other, so that will seem rather tame after the big set pieces in the Matt Damon films, but the point here really is the mystery rather than the action, which is why this version of "The Bourne Identity" is well suited to television. You will also appreciate it the more you remember the Cold War mentality that it reflects.
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