ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Phillida Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Uriah43 The mini-series begins with a gunfight between two men on the deck of a ship passing through a storm somewhere in the Meditterean Sea. One of the men is shot and tumbles overboard and rapidly sinks into the murky water. Fortunately, he recovers his strength long enough to surface and eventually gets washed ashore on the southern coast of France. Unconscious and bleeding from two bullet wounds he is taken to a village doctor by the name of "Dr. Geoffrey Washburn" (Denholm Elliott) who carefully patches him up. When his patient finally regains consciousness Dr.Washburn discovers that he has no recollection of anything—including his name. Yet it soon becomes apparent that he has a good skill with guns and self-defense. Not only that, but while he hunts for clues to his identity he also discovers that paid killers and the law are hunting for him as well. Now rather than reveal any more and risk spoiling this film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that the entire plot featured mystery and action throughout. Although Richard Chamberlain (as "Jason Bourne") and Jaclyn Smith ("Marie St. Jacques") performed in a decent manner, I thought the made-for-television format hampered what could have been an outstanding movie and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

jamiecostelo58 I thoroughly enjoyed this I must admit, but I can't help but wonder why it wasn't made for the big screen instead of being shown on television. What makes this Bourne Identity completely nonidentical to the 2002 theatrical release is that Richard Chamberlain's character is totally in line with Robert Ludlum's book. The big screen version may have featured more dramatic car chase sequences and fighting scenes etc, but it just seemed to focus away from the original plot.Richard Chamberlain performs Bourne to a very high standard - with strong performances from the supporting cast - and makes the role his own. Primarily, I watched The Bourne Identity just to see Jaclyn Smith if I'm honest; I've always been a fan of Jaclyn, and she gives out a believable performance as Marie St. Jacques. This movie in no doubt sealed Jaclyn's crown as the "Queen of mini-series".I don't think film and TV buffs should be put off by the film's three hour length; the plot and any questions that may arise when viewing The Bourne Identity are answered extremely thoroughly come the end of the film, and should not disappoint fans of espionage/spy thrillers. It was a great effort from all concerned, certainly strengthened thanks to the wonderful imagery and intrigue of the many different cities involved. 7/10

suze-4 I didn't expect too much from a TV mini-series based on an adventure novel, which was later made into a big budget action film.I had not enjoyed the 2002 version of The Bourne Identity with Matt Damon, but this one was gripping from the first frame. I read a lot of the reviews and posts here as I always do to compare reactions, and found people were praising some elements, and criticizing others. Here is how it affected me.Primarily it was a story about a man's search for his identity, and Chamberlain, never known as the greatest actor in the world, was very believable and effective. Jaclyn Smith was just adequate in her role and she is definitely one of the worst actresses they could have chosen, but one can't have everything. She makes good eye candy. The movie's other characters played pivotal roles and delivered excellent characterizations. Notably Denholm Elliott as the doctor.The story was a fast moving adventure, which was almost Hitchcockian, the story of one bewildered man with villains trying to kill him, and a random pretty girl he abducts to help him (also echoes of the Redford movie Three Days of the Condor), and the extensive scenery of Paris was beautiful. Except for the obvious pauses where commercials used to be, this looks like a real movie and not a TV series. It doesn't look cheaply made. They obviously took pride in this production.But to me the most surprising thing of all was the human element, the complex emotions in the amnesiac's story. Richard Chamberlain delivered them far above what one would expect from him, or from a TV movie. Yet this movie is all but forgotten since the theatre versions were made. I think that Hitchcock, if he had been alive to make this picture, would himself have chosen Chamberlain as he was very much like the James Stewart "everyman" who raced against time to solve the mystery of his amnesia.There are a few places where key scenes from the past are shown briefly and never explained (apparently a sequel was planned, which would explain them), and yet I was able to fill in a likely explanation, from my own imagination. This is the mark of good film making. There were no fantastic special effects or avant garde techniques. It was straightforward story telling.I am easily bored, highly critical, and so because I loved this, I am very surprised and had to post about it, in case it might help someone decide to go ahead and see it. Yes, it is well worth it and highly enjoyable. It hails from another era (where the story was more important than the chases and effects).I am glad it is still available in video, and if I find it in DVD I will buy it because it was a movie I would like to see again. I still think about it - and went to the library to get the book the next day - and that rarely happens with an action movie of this type.

alfo This is one of the best espionage/thriller ever produced on television. It's a shame that this production ended on television and not in the big screen during its released in 1988. Although, it's understandable because during those times television was definitely much "bigger" than the movies....plus the stars Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith were the sort of royalties of U.S. television -- dubbed King & Queen of Miniseries.Excellent performances which was awarded with nominations from the Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. This is true to the book. If you're going to watch the movie version with Matt Damon make sure you see this one first...