The Bourne Identity (1988 film)

The Bourne Identity is a 1988 American mystery action thriller miniseries adaptation of Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel The Bourne Identity. The adaptation was written by Carol Sobieski, directed by Roger Young for Warner Bros. Television with Richard Chamberlain in the title role, along with Jaclyn Smith. It follows the storyline of the original novel, with a run-time of 185 minutes; with commercials added, the running time was extended to four hours, and was first shown on ABC in two 120 minute installments over two nights, making its first run count as a miniseries rather than a TV movie. As such, it was nominated in the Outstanding Miniseries category at the 40th Primetime Emmy Awards.

The book was adapted again in 2002 by Doug Liman starring Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, launching the Bourne series of theatrical films, with considerable deviations from the original Cold War novel. It was followed later by a new series of Bourne best sellers written by Eric Lustbader with the permission of the Ludlum estate.

Differences from the book
The film exhibits some differences from the novel by Ludlum. The undercover identity of Jason Bourne is simplified to "Bourne" pursuing Carlos rather than using the code name "Cain". Alexander Conklin is killed by one of his own people when attempting to confront Bourne; in the novel he survives and appears in subsequent novels. In the book's ending, Carlos the Jackal escapes in the confusion, whereas in the film he is killed in the climactic battle with Bourne.

Cast

 * Richard Chamberlain as Jason Bourne
 * Jaclyn Smith as Marie St. Jacques
 * Anthony Quayle as Gen. François Villiers
 * Donald Moffat as David Abbott
 * Shane Rimmer as Alexander Conklin
 * Yorgo Voyagis as Carlos
 * Denholm Elliott as Dr. Geoffrey Washburn
 * Peter Vaughan as Fritz Koenig
 * Michael Habeck as The Fat Man
 * Wolf Kahler as Gold Glasses
 * Philip Madoc as D'Armacourt
 * Bill Wallis as Chernak
 * John Carlin as Stossel
 * James Laurenson as Gillette
 * Michael Mellinger as Bertinelli