In the book : The narrator meets Tyler Durden on the beach as he is falling asleep. Tyler is building a wooden structure that causes a large shadow of a hand to be cast on the beach.
In the movie : Tyler is sitting next to the narrator as he returns from a business trip. They realize they have the same briefcase.
In the book : The narrator reads a series of books with Joe's body parts.
In the movie : It is Jack's body parts.
In the book : Chloe tells the narrator about her desire for sex one last time in a one on one cry session.
In the movie : Chloe stands up in front of the whole group and begs pathetically for sex.
In the book : Tyler answers the phone when Marla calls about her suicide attempt. The narrator only learns of this later.
In the movie : The Narrator takes the original call, but does nothing and leaves the phone off the hook. Tyler then comes along and picks it up and listens.
In the book : Marla's mother sends fat from her liposuction procedures that Tyler uses to make soap.
In the movie : Tyler and the narrator sneak into a plastic surgeon's office and steal huge bags of fat for their soap production.
In the book : The narrator beats a man to a bloody pulp because he is envious of his good looks.
In the movie : Angel face is seen as taking the Narrator's place as Tyler's friend, so the narrator freaks out and beats his face to a pulp. He tells Tyler "I felt like destroying something beautiful."
In the book : The narrator shoots himself in the mouth in front of the support group and Marla.
In the movie : He does it in the building alone with Tyler. Marla shows up moments later.
In the book : The narrator ends up in a mental institution where members of Project mayhem indicate that they are still carrying out the wishes of Tyler Durden.
In the movie : The film ends prior to seeing the outcome. The last shot is of the buildings crashing down. And a giant penis.
