The Bourne Identity (1988 film)

This article is about the 1988 television film. For the 2002 film, see The Bourne Identity (2002 film). For other uses, see The Bourne Identity (disambiguation).
The Bourne Identity
Genre
Based on The Bourne Identity
by Robert Ludlum
Screenplay by Carol Sobieski
Directed by Roger Young
Starring
Music by Laurence Rosenthal
Country of origin United States
Original language English
Production
Executive producer Alan Shayne
Producer Frederick Muller
Cinematography Tony Pierce-Roberts
Editors
  • Ellen Ring Jacobson
  • Benjamin A. Weissman
Running time 185 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network ABC
Release May 9 –
May 10, 1988

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