The Bourne Identity poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Clive Owen, Chris Cooper, Brian Cox ... see more see more... , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , Gabriel Mann , Walton Goggins , Josh Hamilton , Julia Stiles , Orso Maria Guerrini , Tim Dutton , Judy Parfitt , Jimmy Jean-Louis , Gil Amelio

The best-selling suspense novel by late author Robert Ludlum comes to the screen for a second time, following a 1988 made-for-TV movie. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne, a barely alive amnesiac with a... read more read more... pair of bullet wounds in his back, pulled from the Mediterranean by Italian fishermen. Bourne's only clue to his own identity is a bank account number etched on a capsule implanted in his body. He quickly finds the Zurich bank where money, a gun, and a few identification documents await, but after he's pursued by security goons at the American consulate, Bourne realizes he can trust no one and offers a German gypsy named Marie (Franka Potente) ten thousand dollars for a ride to Paris. Encountering more professional killers bent on his destruction, Bourne discovers that he possesses a surprising degree of skill in combat, martial arts, and linguistics -- handy talents that clearly indicate his past includes work as a spy and assassin, but for whom? With Marie's reluctant help, Bourne edges closer to the truth, something CIA officials want concealed at all costs. The Bourne Identity co-stars Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, and Julia Stiles. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

875,869 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

183 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Doug Liman

Release Date: June 14, 2002

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: January 21, 2003

Get It:

Stats: 42,322 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Bourne Identity bourne identity The Bourne Identity Jason Bourne Bourne Identity - Matt Damon Bourne bourne identity The Bourne Identity Franka and Matt Franka Potente The Bourne Identity The Bourne Identity poor danny..... The Bourne Identity bourne identity
Upload a Photo | View All The Bourne Identity Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (42,322)

  • MovieGeek13
    March 5, 2012
    MovieGeek13
    The Bourne Identity is without a doubt one of the coolest CIA espionage thrillers that I've seen in a long time. It outdoes most of the James Bond and all of the Jack Ryan movies with its fast paced storytelling, amazing action sequences, and gripping, edge of your seat drama tha... read moret is the staple of all the best action pictures.
    Matt Damon is perfectly cast. The movie starts with Damon as Jason Bourne, shot twice in the back and left for dead in the ocean. Waking up on a shipping vessel, Bourne has no idea who he is but realizes he possesses the ability to speak multiple languages, can analyze every room he's in to the most minute detail, and could kick the crap out of pretty much anybody, even if they were to gang up on him. As he tries to figure it all out, the CIA realizes he isn't dead and commences a plan to dispose of him before his memory returns. But Bourne is too smart despite not knowing his real identity. He pays a German invalid named Marie Kreutz (played by sexy Franka Potente) to drive him to Paris. From there, they are pursued by assassins from all over, and as they struggle to avoid being captured or killed, a romance blossoms.
    The chemistry between Damon and Potente is great. Both actors are able to tap into the vulnerability of their characters and their own individual wants. Of course it's an action movie and it's typically formulaic for the guy and the girl to fall hopelessly in love, but the actors make it much more believable, so it doesn't feel like the film is just going through the motions.
    Much credit goes to the director Doug Liman who is very proficient at balancing all the aspects of the cat and mouse chase between the CIA and Jason Bourne. This film spans a lot of locations - from Zurich, Paris, to Virginia - and it never once feels convoluted or confusing. The audience is never confused as to how each character fits into the puzzle, and just enough information is left out to hold interest for the outcome.
    And of course the fight scenes are simply astounding. The choreography involves a lot of hand to hand combat that moves fast and is often staged in close quarters, keeping Bourne and his adversaries trapped in an enclosed area that warrants such close hand to hand combat. It's almost like elements of a martial arts film have been lifted into the espionage plot, creating a movie that you can watch for its exhilarating action scenes as much as for its intelligent story.
  • aquateen2
    February 25, 2012
    aquateen2
    The first of the Bourne series is a thrilling but forgettable action conspiracy film. Matt Damon performs excellently as he did in Ocean's Eleven and Good Will Hunting. It's not as good as these movies because for an action movie it can be a bit slow but The Bourne Identity is no... read morenetheless an entertaining bond style action flick.
  • garyX
    October 21, 2011
    garyX
    A fishing vessel rescues a bullet-riddled amnesiac from the ocean and upon reaching shore, he discovers that not only is he a world class ass kicker but nearly every government agency in the world seems to want him dead. Along with Ronin, The Bourne Identity heralded a new era of... read more high octane grittiness for the action thriller and a decade on, it actually stands up pretty well. Of course the "hi tec" aspects look a little dated, but it's still a breathlessly exciting conspiracy thriller that dispenses with any irrelevances and gets straight down to the bare bones of a tire screeching, bone crunching rollercoaster ride. Matt Damon is the perfect combination of hard case and bemused victim and Franka Potente makes a much more interesting romantic interest than the generic dead-eyed bimbette that usually adorns this kind of thing. It all looks a bit familiar in this day and age, but this was one of the originals and is still the best Bourne film in my opinion.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    September 13, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A good series starter. Clever and interesting.
  • spielberg00
    August 8, 2011
    spielberg00
    THE BOURNE IDENTITY is simply the start to Matt Damon's best bunch of movies. It is truly exceptional.
  • fb729949618
    August 5, 2011
    fb729949618
    Best suspense/mystery/thriller franchise out there! This thing delivers.
  • fb535316333
    July 21, 2011
    fb535316333
    Bourne is the American Bond.

    Not only is this film smart for the genre it's forced to work in, its protagonist has dimension, and the story? Just as thrilling as the action. Truly an engaging experience that transcends the average expectations of an "action flick"
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 4, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The Bourne Identity loosely based on the bestseller by Robert Ludlum (I say loosely because the books and the films are highly different. is one of the most energetic action spy films to ever grace the screen. The cast assembled here is an incredible cast of talented actors. In t... read morehe lead is Matt Damon who gives one of his best performances of his career. Starring alongside him are Chris Cooper and Brian Cox who play Ted Conklin and Ward Abbott. Two men who hunt Jason Bourne an amnesiac spy who has no idea who he really is. The Bourne Identity is a phenomenal spy thriller, not perfect, but not terrible. The film is excellent actually and is almost flawless. But as proven with the sequels, the sequels have surpassed this film only because we find out more about the history of Jason Bourne, and theres a lot more story development to that effect. The Bourne Identity is a top notch spy thriller than will hold you in suspense throughout the film. At first I have to admit I really didn't care for this film, but after viewing it a few times after its initial release, I concluded it was a superb film with awesome thrills and action. If you're an espionage film fan or you're fascinated or read works on the CIA and are an absolute junkie on espionage stuff (like I am) I highly recommend this awesome spy Thriller.
  • fb732260458
    April 1, 2011
    fb732260458
    An intelligent and well-written action thriller offering a unique mix of action and suspense, with a admirable performance from Matt Damon.
  • DreamExtractor
    March 27, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Amazing, thats just one word for it. It lets go as we watch secrets unfold as the series begins. My only problem is you have to pay attention maybe too much. Besides this what a intense and awesome movie. Damon is Bourne.

View All The Bourne Identity Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
June 12, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A first-rate thriller with grit and intrigue to spare. Full Review

Colin Covert
May 19, 2004
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Liman can uncork leap-out-of-your-seat shocks, draw out suspense scenes with malicious finesse and even ease a touch of romance and droll humor into the yarn. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
July 25, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

A rollicking adventure yarn. Full Review

Mark Caro
July 20, 2002
Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune

The Bourne Identity is no mere summer amusement park ride. It's as gray as Go was colorful and a cool contrast to its source material. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
June 26, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Great fights. You wouldn't think of Damon as a tough guy, but he's worked really hard on the physical stuff here and it shows. Full Review

Rex Reed
June 25, 2002
Rex Reed, New York Observer

A film that is at best misguided, at worst stubbornly flashy, garbled and ready to file in the drawer labeled 'instantly forgettable.' Full Review

Richard Roeper
June 19, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Really well done. Full Review

J. Hoberman
June 18, 2002
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

Liman takes a giant step toward hackdom with his banal big-budget adaptation of Robert Ludlum's 1980 espionage thriller. Full Review

David Edelstein
June 18, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

It moves quickly, adroitly, and without fuss; it doesn't give you time to reflect on the inanity -- and the Cold War datedness -- of its premise. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 15, 2002
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Nicely paced and fits the bill for those in search of two hours of spy-based action and martial arts. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Bourne Ultimatum
    The Bourne Ultimatum (97%)
  • The Bourne Supremacy
    The Bourne Supremacy (95%)
  • Salt
    Salt (93%)
  • Exiles in Paradise
    Exiles in Paradise (57%)

More Movies like The Bourne Identity

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Jason Bourne: I swear to God, if I so much as feel someone behind me; there is no measure to how fast and how hard I will bring this fight to your doorstep.
    • Jason Bourne: Everything I found out, I want to forget.
    • Jason Bourne: How could I forget about you? You're the only person I know.
  • In the scene when Bourne gets off the ship, after being found in the sea, he supposedly disappears when he walks away and a truck passes in back of him, front of camera, you can see his feet as he runs with the truck.It's funny.
  • Matthew McConaughey was considered for the role of Jason Bourne.
  • Brad Pitt turned down the role of Jason Bourne.
Submit a Fact | View All

The Bourne Identi... : Watch Free on TV

The Bourne Identity Trivia

  • What was Matt Damons characters name in The Bourne Identity?  Answer »
  • Name That Movie From These Three Details: amnesiac rescued at sea. running from CIA. embeded bank account number in the main character's hip.  Answer »
  • In The Bourne Identity, what does Marie say about her car?  Answer »
  • This actress was in.... a) Mona Lisa Smile B) The Prince and me C) The Bourne Identity D) Save the last Dance E) THE OMEN Who is she?  Answer »
More The Bourne Identity Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Bourne Identity Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Bourne Identity to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View The Bourne Identity News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?