The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Last updated:
June 17, 2025

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) is the third installment in the Jason Bourne film series, directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matt Damon as the amnesiac former CIA assassin. Widely regarded as one of the strongest entries in the series, this film continues the high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between Bourne and the CIA, ramping up the tension, pacing, and emotional resonance.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: Picking Up the Pieces

The film picks up immediately after the events of The Bourne Supremacy (2004), with Jason Bourne wounded and on the run in Moscow. The tone is gritty, raw, and immediate, with Bourne trying to stay one step ahead of those still hunting him. He narrowly escapes the Russian police and continues his journey to uncover the truth about his identity and the CIA programs that created him.

Waterloo Station: A Masterclass in Tension

One of the most iconic sequences in the film takes place at London’s Waterloo Station. Bourne contacts journalist Simon Ross (Paddy Considine), who is investigating a black ops program called “Blackbriar”—an offshoot of the original Treadstone project. The sequence turns into a high-stakes chess game as Bourne guides Ross through the station via earpiece, trying to help him avoid CIA surveillance. It ends tragically with Ross being shot by a CIA asset, showing the ruthless efficiency of Bourne’s enemies and the personal risks involved.

Discovering Blackbriar

Bourne continues his search for answers, tracking down more people involved with Blackbriar. He reconnects with Nicky Parsons (Julia Stiles), a former Treadstone handler. Their alliance is more than just professional—hints of a deeper past relationship add complexity to their interactions. Nicky helps Bourne evade capture and points him toward Madrid, then Tangier.

Tangier Chase: The Physical Peak

In Tangier, Bourne pursues another CIA asset, Desh, who is attempting to eliminate Nicky. This sequence showcases some of the most breathtaking chase and fight scenes in the series, culminating in a brutal apartment fight where Bourne kills Desh in hand-to-hand combat. This section highlights Bourne’s increasing moral conflict—he’s not just surviving, but choosing who he wants to be.

Facing the Source: Dr. Hirsch and the Truth

The final act leads Bourne to New York City, where he finally confronts Dr. Albert Hirsch (Albert Finney), the man behind the Treadstone project. Bourne learns that he voluntarily joined the program, essentially giving up his former identity (David Webb) to become the emotionless asset known as Jason Bourne. This shatters the notion that he was simply a victim and introduces the theme of personal accountability.

Movie Ending

The climax takes place at 415 East 71st Street in Manhattan, the facility where Bourne was created. As Bourne confronts his past, CIA Deputy Director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) and CIA Director Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) are in pursuit. Bourne, ever-resourceful, escapes yet again—this time leaping from the rooftop into the East River after being shot.

Pamela Landy, moved by Bourne’s humanity and realizing the corruption within the agency, faxes documents exposing Blackbriar to the authorities. As Bourne sinks into the water, flashbacks of his induction play—he remembers everything now.

Then, in a quiet, poetic moment, we hear a news report stating that Jason Bourne’s body was never recovered and that he was last seen swimming away. Moby’s “Extreme Ways” kicks in, marking a signature end to a Bourne film. This ending offers both closure and the suggestion that Bourne, now fully self-aware, might finally live freely—though the scars of his past remain.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Bourne Ultimatum does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the movie ends with Moby’s iconic track and the image of Bourne disappearing into the water, that’s it. The story is fully concluded in the runtime, although future installments (The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne) do revisit the universe.

Type of Movie

This is a spy thriller and action movie with strong elements of psychological drama and political conspiracy. It’s grounded, realistic, and known for its handheld camera style and tight, fast-paced editing.

Cast

Matt Damon as Jason Bourne / David Webb
Julia Stiles as Nicky Parsons
David Strathairn as Noah Vosen
Joan Allen as Pamela Landy
Albert Finney as Dr. Albert Hirsch
Paddy Considine as Simon Ross
Scott Glenn as CIA Director Ezra Kramer

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by John Powell, whose music became an essential part of the Bourne identity. His blend of tense orchestral pieces and electronic rhythms perfectly supports the film’s high-energy, globe-trotting pace. The end credits once again feature Moby’s “Extreme Ways”, which became a recurring musical theme for the franchise.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot in numerous international locations, enhancing its global espionage feel:

London – The Waterloo Station sequence is a highlight.
Madrid, Spain
Tangier, Morocco – Known for the stunning rooftop chase.
New York City – Key scenes at the CIA headquarters and final confrontation.
Berlin and Paris – Additional scenes set in Bourne’s past.

These diverse urban landscapes underscore Bourne’s constant movement and his need to stay ahead of global surveillance.

Awards and Nominations

Won 3 Academy Awards (Oscars):
- Best Film Editing
- Best Sound Mixing
- Best Sound Editing

It was also nominated and awarded at the BAFTAs, and won multiple critics’ and technical awards, especially for editing and sound design.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Matt Damon trained in Filipino Kali and boxing for the fight scenes.
The Waterloo scene took over 6 weeks to shoot, often using real commuters as extras.
Director Paul Greengrass favored handheld cameras and real locations to heighten realism.
Damon was reportedly reluctant to return at first but was convinced after reading the script.
The rooftop jump was performed with a combination of stunt work and wire rigs.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely based on Robert Ludlum’s novel of the same name, although the plot diverges significantly. While the book continues the espionage theme, the movie focuses more on closure and the emotional toll of being an assassin.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A few deleted scenes were included in the DVD extras, mainly extended dialogue and exposition, but no major alternate endings exist. One scene shows more of Nicky’s emotional conflict, hinting more explicitly at a past romantic relationship with Bourne, but it was cut for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the movie takes its title from Ludlum’s book, the plot is almost entirely different. The book involves Carlos the Jackal, who is not mentioned in the film. The Bourne of the novels is more calculating and less haunted; the movie’s version is more emotionally conflicted and grounded in real-world geopolitics.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Waterloo Station sequence
Rooftop chase in Tangier
Bourne’s silent confrontation with Dr. Hirsch
Final rooftop escape and plunge into the river
Pamela Landy reading out David Webb’s real birth date over the phone

Iconic Quotes

“I remember everything.” – Bourne’s chilling realization.
“This is Jason Bourne. He’s still alive.” – Vosen, upon learning Bourne’s location.
“You’re in a big puddle of sh*t, Pamela, and you don’t have the shoes for it.” – Noah Vosen

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The birth date Pamela Landy gives for David Webb is actually Matt Damon’s real birthday.
Many of the CIA agents seen on screens are real staffers or journalists used as extras.
The file titled “Blackbriar” includes references to Treadstone operatives from previous films.

Trivia

Matt Damon has only 25 lines of dialogue in the first 30 minutes of the movie.
The film’s handheld camerawork sparked both acclaim and controversy (some viewers felt motion sickness).
It grossed over $440 million, the most of any Bourne film at that time.

Why Watch?

Because it’s arguably the best spy thriller of the 2000s. The Bourne Ultimatum delivers intelligent writing, relentless pacing, tight action sequences, and a humanized hero with a soul. It’s not just about car chases and fights—it’s about identity, morality, and agency over one’s life.

Director’s Other Movies

United 93 (2006)
Captain Phillips (2013)
Green Zone (2010)
Jason Bourne (2016)
News of the World (2020)

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)