MartinHafer Like the much more famous 2002 version starring Matt Damon, this elaborate and expensive looking TV mini-series (actually just a long two-part movie) is a non-stop roller-coaster ride of a picture. If you like action, then you are in for a treat....though you wouldn't exactly expect Richard Chamberlain to be playing an action star! A mini- series star yes...action hero...nah!When the film begins, Jason Bourne (Chamberlain) is shot, tossed overboard and assumed dead. Obviously someone dislikes the guy...at least just a bit! He soon washes up on shore in the south of France and is found by a doctor who manages to save him. But when Bourne awakens he has a serious problem. He has no idea who he is and the head wound no doubt is the reason why. While the doctor cannot tell him who he is, he does know he's someone unique, as he somehow survived, has had significant plastic surgery to hide his identity AND he had some secret information implanted in his leg!! Bourne is determined to discover who he is and very, very slowly tiny bits and pieces come back to him. The first big shock is that he has a bank account with $15,000,000 in it! The next is when he tries to withdraw some of it, bank employees begin shooting at him and he goes into super action hero mode! Clearly there is a very severe penalty at this place for an early withdrawal!! From here, the film continues with one killer after another coming for Jason...and he has no idea whether or not he's a good guy or a bad guy--but he is a LETHAL guy. And, there is some indication he MIGHT be the international mega-criminal, the Jackal! Along for the much of the ride is Marie (Jaclyn Smith), a Canadian woman vacationing in Europe. At first he grabs her in order to blend in and evade assassins. Later, she comes to realize her kidnapper is not one of the bad guys and she willingly helps him in his quest to see who he really is. The biggest strength of this film is that although it's practically non-stop action, because it's three hours long it gives you a bit of time to breath--something not possible in the later film because it was an hour shorter. How else it is better or worse I can't say. I've seen both, but saw the Matt Damon version long ago and cannot remember all of it--just that it was a bit too frenetic in pace. So is this any good? Well, yes and no. The plot, while frenetic (and I am not much of an action film lover--you should know that), the film is exciting and the plot satisfying and interesting. However, the movie also suffers from its love story....which just doesn't make much sense. Why does Marie fall for Jason so quickly?! Why do they go to bed together so quickly?! And, why does she continue to risk her life again and again for a man she doesn't really know?! None of this makes any sense.The bottom line is that this IS a very good film and is well worth seeing despite its love story. The international filming locations are pretty amazing for a made for TV film and the acting is generally pretty good. But, for a much better film involving Carlos the Jackal, try watching "Day of the Jackal"...one of the best suspense films of all time.FYI--You might be too young to know, but Carlos the Jackal is a REAL person--a real international terrorist and not just some character in films. Ilyich Ramírez Sánchez was nicknamed Carlot the Jackal and is currently in prison in France for his infamous crimes.

Desertman84 The Bourne Identity is a television movie adaptation of Robert Ludlum's novel of the same title.It stars Richard Chamberlain as Jason Bourne together with Jaclyn Smith,Anthony Quayle,Donald Moffat and Denholm Elliott. The TV movie was written by Carol Sobieski and directed by Roger Young.The film follows the story of Jason Bourne, who washes up on the beach and is cared for by a doctor. He has no memories, but is intrigued enough to investigate why he has the number of a Swiss bank account on his thigh. As he travels to various European cities following clues about his past, he begins to discover that his actions match those of the feared international terrorist Carlos. The Bourne Identity is a good TV movie adaptation of Ludlum's classic novel.Brilliant performances were turned by Chamberlain and Smith. Also,it was engaging and absorbing from beginning to end as Bourne's story and his search for his identity becomes a great mystery and story to tell.

gerry159 Last night I was pleasantly surprised and saw the TV version of The Bourne Idendtity starring Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith and I found it very intense and thrilling. Yes, I have the Bourne Trilogy which I like a lot because it stars Matt Damon and I'm a big fan of his. After seeing the TV version I can see that Damon is a little too young for Bourne but they did bring the story forward to suit the star and that's all right, too. But I sure won't knock the TV version as I would think that Chamberlain was closer to the age that Bourne should be. As to comparing a movie or TV to a book is not feasible 'cause we're talking about two different mediums. I'm happy with both versions and plan to watch the TV version again. It stands the test of time.

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...