``The Bourne Identity'' A revolution in realistic and stoic spy movies that changed the flow before and after The Bourne.

What impact did the 9/11 terrorist attacks have?

Influenced in part by his father, Doug Liman has long been concerned about the sensitive operations the U.S. government conducts around the world. It's only natural that he has such a broad perspective and that his style is realistic and hard-hitting because it's a spy action movie he works on. Considering the trend of flashy Hollywood movies from the late 1990s to 2000, it is undeniable that it was quite an outlier. However, this situation will soon change drastically due to one incident.

Filming for this film began in October 2000, and the first preview screening was reportedly held around August of the following year. Initially, the highlight was supposed to be the "one-on-one combat action on the farm" that appeared in the second half. However, the studio executives who saw the video expressed the opinion that they wanted something more exciting at the end, and there was even serious discussion about whether a sense of catharsis, such as a big explosion, was needed. . But most of all, the events of 9/11 quickly killed such ideas.

“The Bourne Identity” (c)Photofest / Getty Images

Instead, additional filming was done for the now legendary "spiral staircase action" and the final sequence in which Chris Cooper is chased down to get there. All of them are from a realistic point of view that could give you a low-temperature burn. Additionally, a few scenes were shot as insurance (they were apparently not used) in case the film's main plot no longer met the needs of post-9/11 audiences.

As a result, by the time this film, which was once an outlier, was finally released (originally in September 2001, but moved back to June 2002 for additional filming), it had completely become ``realistic and what people are looking for.'' It had changed into a stoic movie. It's not that ``Bourne'' has changed. The world has changed.

"Casino Royale" preview

For example, another spy movie released in the same year, ` `Die Another Day,' ' must be said to have gone against the grain at the time. As expected, he said goodbye to Pierce Brosnan, and when `` Casino Royale '' was released in 2006, he broke away from his previous style and completely changed to a hard and realistic route reminiscent of ``The Bourne.'' was accomplished. The same can be said about the differences between the second and third Mission: Impossible movies.

Even in light of this situation, The Bourne Identity still stands out. In a rapidly changing world where it is unclear what the right answer is, this work makes decisions at its own pace, without missing the right timing, and comes up with the correct answer. It was a work that was born at a ``turn of the tide'' that was meant to be born.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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"The Bourne Identity"

4K ULTRA HD + Blu-ray set: 1,429 yen + tax

Publisher: NBCUniversal Entertainment

(C) 2002 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

* Information as of November 2019.

(c) Photofest / Getty Images