THE BOURNE IDENTITY
US, 1988, 185 minutes, Colour.
Richard Chamberlin, Denholm Elliot, Jaclyn Smith, Anthony Quayle, Donald Moffat.
Directed by Roger Young.
The Bourne Identity is a telemovie/mini-series based on Robert Ludlum's bestseller - which he was to follow up with The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum.
The novel was adapted for the screen by veteran screenwriter Carol Sobiewski (whose work ranges from adaptations of Annie and Marilyn French's The Women's Room). The key elements of the novel are here, as well as something of its atmosphere. Locations are important and range from the south of France to Paris, Zurich and New York. The film looks particularly good.
Richard Chamberlain does well as Jason Bourne, the CIA-constructed killer who is to be a confrontation to the noted international assassin The Jackal. Jaclyn Smith is quite good in support - and they seem to embody the characters as written in Ludlum's books. There is a range of villains including Peter Vaughan and a range of interesting characters and character actors including Denholm Elliott and Donald Moffitt as well as Anthony Quayle.
Robert Ludlum's books are long and involved. They show an intricate world of espionage and evil. The power play of the United States and various other international governments are shown in some detail and complexity - often beyond the imagining of the ordinary citizen. Ludlum's world is one of extraordinary conspiracies. While this film version has to overlook so many of the elements in the novel, it is an interesting film in itself, with some excitement, and a very good attempt to adapt such a novel for cinema.
1.The popularity of the works of Robert Ludlum? His world of espionage and superheroes? International governments, conspiracies? Money deals? Assassinations? Physical prowess, psychological stamina?
2.The film as telemovie/mini-series - adaptation of Ludlum's work, world? Length? Audience identification with characters and situations?
3.The '80s and terrorism, international politics, international agencies? East and west? Assassins? The credibility of characters and situations?
4.The use of authentic locations: the south of France, Zurich, Paris, New York? The musical score?
5.The mystery of the Bourne identity, the boat at the beginning, the explosion, the man drifting ashore? Bourne and his lack of identity? Washburn, the doctor, alcoholic, helping him with the operation, training him again? Bourne and his recuperation?
6.Bourne's identity, the bank number, the psychological effect of not knowing who he was, fears in discovering his capacities to be an assassin, the information about the assassin? Friendship with Washburn, retaining? Going to Zurich? The money? The ease of dealings with the bank? The information about Carlos and the fear that he was Carlos? The struggles? Using his wits and following the clues?
7.Zurich, the bank, people's reactions, the shooting, the violence? The crippled man and his death? Marie and the lecture? His commandeering her car? The escape? Her going to the people she thought were the police? Their following Bourne? The attempted rape, Bourne rescuing her? The Canadian embassy, the discovery of the truth, her decision to help Bourne? Falling in love? Her economic background, helping him in his struggle to find his identity?
8.The build-up of his identity, the name, the money, information about the assassination? The flashbacks and part memories? Asia, violence, wife and child? Going to Paris, the banks, the leads?
9.The world of Carlos, assassinations, his empire? The world of Treadstone? The assassinations and betrayal? The murders in New York?
10.The fashionable shop, Jacqueline, her connections, information, the death in the church?
11.The background of Treadstone: David Abbott and Alexander Conklin, their plan, using Bourne? The murders in New York, their escape? The betrayal by the senator? Carlos's men in New York? Going to Paris, the set-up to meet Bourne, the cemetery? The shoot-out, the deaths? David Abbott and his explanation of the truth? History, his memories, finding himself?
12.The French general, suspicions, the ceremonies? The truth, seeing his wife? The general's reaction, killing her and himself?
13.The return to Treadstone, the clues in New York, Bourne's searching, Carlos and his pursuit, the fight in the building? The death of Carlos?
14.The relationship between Bourne and Marie, her helping him to understand himself, support? A future together?
15.Audience enjoyment of espionage? The masterminds? Governments, special agencies? Money, betrayal? Infiltration of organisations? Large scale espionage?
