The Novel
After about 20 years - have re-read the novel by Robert Ludlum and re-lived the story so to speak. During my first reading of the book (ages back) my sense of mystery and suspense were even much more because actually I had first read ‘’The Bourne Supremacy’’ that was the only one available at our local library. It was only after a few months that I could lay my hands over ‘’The Bourne Identity’’ – and in the mean while I had to rely on my own conjectures from re-reads of the Supremacy book ! And in those days (late 80s) – no Internet as well you must remember please….and so my reading of ‘The Bourne Identity’ was that much more interesting as the pieces of my own puzzle were falling in plaxce as they were falling apart for David Webb.
Also relished in this read – quite a few places that I have actually stayed/visited in the last few years: Zurich, Lucerne, Montparnasse- Paris, Pont Neuf-Paris. Most of these places were totally ‘foreign’ to me in my first read.
2002 - Movie
To complete the loop - had re-watched the move as well. And the differences are stark - there is lots to compare.......so much is the difference between the two. However, it is indeed a well made move with slick shots, daring car chases, brilliant music score et al – but comes no where near the character nor the central plot / sub-plots of the novel.
I think it is a pity if someone just watches thisovie and so skips reading the novel – since the novel is a totally different experience, plot, characters, story-line and as per my personal taste much much better!
Another aspect that I could not help observe was the lack of mobiles in the yester era when the novel was based. I think this carries over to the movie as well and Matt keeps running between public-phone-booths to avoid tracing of calls.
Am highlighting the top differences that are apparent between the two:
1988 - Movie
Had read in Wiki about a 1988 movie made-for-television film adaptation of the novel, starring Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith. Out of curiosity, had watched this movie as well. And I am very glad to have watched this movie – and my advise to all the Matt Damon generation guys –watch this movie and get a life folks. Although there are some deviations from the novel, most of it is true to the novel and in some aspects betters the book on its own account I think:
o Musical score is brilliant right through
o The charm of Zurich, Paris and European life in general are brought to life thanks to the signts and sounds of this movie
o Also, I prefer both the leads of this movie to the 2002 pair
I think this movie is up there among those book-novel classic pairs like 'The Day of the Jackal', 'Where Eagles Dare', 'Guns of Navarone', 'The old man and the sea', 'The TinTin series' ...In each of these cases the novel is brilliant ofcourse. But the movie stands apart on its own right and gives a rich hue and texture to the storyline and the viewer just needs to lap it all up....
Horror
As it was a lazy Sunday evening, I put on ‘Kites’ movie of Hritik Roshan and to my horror was actually looking at Hritik being the unconcious man who is saved and operated upon by an old and alcoholic looking doctor. Needless to say I switched off the TV and allowed my kids to rule the rest of the evening !
After about 20 years - have re-read the novel by Robert Ludlum and re-lived the story so to speak. During my first reading of the book (ages back) my sense of mystery and suspense were even much more because actually I had first read ‘’The Bourne Supremacy’’ that was the only one available at our local library. It was only after a few months that I could lay my hands over ‘’The Bourne Identity’’ – and in the mean while I had to rely on my own conjectures from re-reads of the Supremacy book ! And in those days (late 80s) – no Internet as well you must remember please….and so my reading of ‘The Bourne Identity’ was that much more interesting as the pieces of my own puzzle were falling in plaxce as they were falling apart for David Webb.
Also relished in this read – quite a few places that I have actually stayed/visited in the last few years: Zurich, Lucerne, Montparnasse- Paris, Pont Neuf-Paris. Most of these places were totally ‘foreign’ to me in my first read.
2002 - Movie
To complete the loop - had re-watched the move as well. And the differences are stark - there is lots to compare.......so much is the difference between the two. However, it is indeed a well made move with slick shots, daring car chases, brilliant music score et al – but comes no where near the character nor the central plot / sub-plots of the novel.
I think it is a pity if someone just watches thisovie and so skips reading the novel – since the novel is a totally different experience, plot, characters, story-line and as per my personal taste much much better!
Another aspect that I could not help observe was the lack of mobiles in the yester era when the novel was based. I think this carries over to the movie as well and Matt keeps running between public-phone-booths to avoid tracing of calls.
Am highlighting the top differences that are apparent between the two:
1988 - Movie
Had read in Wiki about a 1988 movie made-for-television film adaptation of the novel, starring Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith. Out of curiosity, had watched this movie as well. And I am very glad to have watched this movie – and my advise to all the Matt Damon generation guys –watch this movie and get a life folks. Although there are some deviations from the novel, most of it is true to the novel and in some aspects betters the book on its own account I think:
o Musical score is brilliant right through
o The charm of Zurich, Paris and European life in general are brought to life thanks to the signts and sounds of this movie
o Also, I prefer both the leads of this movie to the 2002 pair
I think this movie is up there among those book-novel classic pairs like 'The Day of the Jackal', 'Where Eagles Dare', 'Guns of Navarone', 'The old man and the sea', 'The TinTin series' ...In each of these cases the novel is brilliant ofcourse. But the movie stands apart on its own right and gives a rich hue and texture to the storyline and the viewer just needs to lap it all up....
Horror
As it was a lazy Sunday evening, I put on ‘Kites’ movie of Hritik Roshan and to my horror was actually looking at Hritik being the unconcious man who is saved and operated upon by an old and alcoholic looking doctor. Needless to say I switched off the TV and allowed my kids to rule the rest of the evening !
