Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Identity, the first in his trio of 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 (Swingers, Go) who delivers Ludlum's high-stakes tale with grit, style and nerve.

The story opens as an amnesiac (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 back account number implanted in his hip. Although completely without identity or background, he does possess an array of extraordinary talents in fighting, linguistics and self-defense that speak of a dangerous past. He sets out on a desperate search - assisted by the initially rebellious Marie (Potente) - to discover who he really is, and why so many people want him dead.

The Bourne Identity also stars Chris Cooper (American Beauty), Clive Owen (Croupier), Brian Cox (L.I.E) and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (The Mummy Returns), Doug Liman, Patrick Crowley, and Richard N. Gladstein produced the film from a screenplay by Tony Gilroy and William Blake Herron. The executive producers are Frank Marshall and Robert Ludlum.