Michael Crichton hoped to direct this adaptation of his novel but Warners decided not to, giving the job to the more experienced Mike Hodges. Hodges is clearly a better director than Crichton - his work is full of style and confidence.
I had read Crichton's original adaptation was not faithful enough so they changed it - this isn't that faithful. It completely downplays the character of the handsome male doctor who tries to chase the killer at a hanger and gets wounded (a memorable sequence). Also the ending bit in the book, a terrific sequence in the hospital, becomes one where George Segal falls in a grave and the lead lady is never in danger.
Joan Hackett is okay as the physiciatrist - a better part in the book. Segal is excellent - his manic quality works well. Other characters from the book who were vivid - the scientis behind the whole thing who had various ailments, the whiz kid computer nerds - are not here.
It's like an interesting cover version of the novel rather than a faithful adaptation. not as good as the book.
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