The Bourne Identity is a 1988 American mystery action thriller television movie adaptation of Robert Ludlum's 1980 novel The Bourne Identity. The film 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 3 hours 5 min. With commercials added, the running time was extended to four hours. The film was first shown on ABC in two 120 minute installments over two nights. 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 References Further reading Tibbetts, John C., and James M. Welsh, eds. The Encyclopedia of Novels Into Film (2nd ed. 2005) pp 39–42. External links 1988 films 1988 television films 1980s mystery films 1980s spy films 1980s action thriller films American action thriller films American mystery thriller films American political thriller films Action television films Crime television films Films about amnesia Films based on American novels Films based on mystery novels Films based on works by Robert Ludlum Films directed by Roger Young Films scored by Laurence Rosenthal Films shot in Switzerland 1980s French-language films 1980s German-language films Spy television films American thriller television films Cultural depictions of Carlos the Jackal Films