THE BOURNE IDENTITY
Year: 2002
USA: Universal Pictures
UK: UIP (UK)
Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Julia Stiles, Gabriel Mann, Walt Goggins, Josh Hamilton, Orso Maria Guerini, Tim Dutton, Denis Braccini, Nicky Naude, David Selburg, Judy Parfitt, Anthony Green, Delphine Lanson, David Bamber, Philippe Durand, Vincent Franklin
Director: Doug Liman
Countries: Czech Republic / USA
UK: 118 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for violence and some language
UK Certificate: 12A contains moderate violence and one use of strong language
USA Release Date: 14 June 2002
UK Release Date: 6 September 2002
Synopsis
Robert Ludlam's THE BOURNE IDENTITY, the first in his trio if international thrillers featuring master spy Jason Bourne, was a sensation when it was published in 1980. Now this potent novel gets an edgy 21st century spin from director Doug Liman.
The story opens as an amnesiac (Matt Damon) is rescued at sea by the crew of an Italian fishing boat. Nearly dead, he carries only the bullets in his back and the Swiss bank account number embedded in his hip. Although completely without identity or background, he possesses an array of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistics and self - defence that speak of a dangerous past. In the present he is disorientated and weary as he is propelled into an urgent search to discover who he is and why his life has taken this perilous turn.
A Zurich safety deposit box yields an assortment of passports, a hefty load of cash, an automatic weapon and a name ... Jason Bourne ... with a Paris address. What it means remains a mystery, but Bourne quickly realises that although he knows no one, there are people who recognise him - and do not wish him well. He sets out on a dangerous search - assisted by the initially rebellious Marie (Franka Potente) - to discover who he really is and why so many want them dead.