Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

To put it simply, I loved Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. After the darker Temple of Doom, Steven Spielberg wanted to bring back the lightheartedness that made Raiders of the Lost Ark such an endearing classic. He succeeded and nearly even topped the first film in sheer joy and adventure. Might as well call the two adventures even in my book. The film has amazing set pieces (the rat scene in Venice among others). What I really liked the most? The introduction of Dr. Henry Jones, Indiana’s father, played beautifully by Sean Connery. Through most of the film, Harrison Ford and Connery have such a strong rapport together and their arcs intersected in the best possible way. Indiana Jones beating up Nazi thugs in Raiders was a treat. Why not have him do it again, so Nazis are our main villains once again. For a brief moment, Indiana comes face-to-face with Adolf Hitler in such a chilling sequence at a book-burning rally. Finally, I loved how they chase after the Holy Grail. As someone fascinated by this type of history (The Crusades, Holy Grail, etc), another reason is given to me to be hooked into the story. Kudos to Steven Spielberg to directing one of the best trilogies of all time (although there is obviously now a fourth). If there was no fourth film, the ending is poignant and a perfect sendoff for our hero.

After the relatively mixed reaction of The Temple of Doom, Spielberg set out to make a trilogy capper that captured the spirit and tone of the original. Spielberg and producer George Lucas had some bizarre ideas such as using the Monkey King, ghosts, the Fountain of Youth, and a cannibalistic African tribe amongst other ideas. Thankfully, they ended up using more straightforward ideas such as reintroducing the Nazis and bringing Indy’s father into the fold. Jeffrey Boam is the main credited screenwriter although there have been various drafts from writers such as Chris Columbus. Boam gave more credibility to the father-son story by having them lose the grail mid-film. I also liked the idea of young Indy to start the film. River Phoenix was an excellent choice to play the fedora-wearing hero in his youth. This father-son relationship is the heart of the story. Spielberg, Boam, Connery, and Ford did everything to make it work. We should also thank Connery for his suggestions because he is the one who suggest ideas for his character that stuck. As an actor who studied history, it was essentially a requirement if they wanted his services. To keep the tone they were aiming for, Spielberg brought back the bumbling Marcus Brody and Indy’s sidekick, Sallah.

Like the other two films, there are incredible action sequences, and the production design is fantastic. There is no scene that can top the boulder sequence from Raiders, but it does come awfully close. Even though there are no underground tombs in Venice, I actually thought there were for a second. The boat chase on the Grand Canal is fun. The rat scene made me jump. I do not mind snakes unlike Indy but rats…ughhhh! The movie boosted tourism for some places. What is known as “The Treasury” located in Jordan (where the Grail was housed) became a new spot for tourists. The beginning sequence was filmed in one of my favorite National Parks, Arches National Park. Also, the castle sequence with Indy and his father is another highlight. In addition to great production design and special effects, John Williams crafted another beautiful score. Hearing that theme always get me.

It is 1939, and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is back in action. The famed archaeologist is given a diary that holds clues and maps to the whereabouts of the famed Holy Grail from his father, Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery) who made a living studying the mysteries of the Grail. Indy learns from a private collector Walter Donovan (Julian Glover) that the search for the Grail disappeared along with Indy’s father. Indiana and his friend Brody (Denholm Elliot) travel to Italy to find Indy’s father. Once that happens, now it is a race to find the Grail before the Nazis do. If the Nazis find it, they will use its power for complete world domination. With the help of Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and Elsa (Alison Doody), an Austrian art professor, Indy and his father must race to find the Grail with what limited clues they possess.

Harrison Ford is fantastic as always. He continues his wisecracking ways…but changes his personality around his father. We even learn his real name! He has fantastic chemistry with Sean Connery who is bloody brilliant here. The Connery/Ford combo is one of my favorite father/son combos in film history. As for Alison Doody, she makes for a fine heroine. Even if she does not quite live up to Karen Allen. Better than Kate Capshaw, though. If there is a minor complaint, that would be it. Julian Glover has always been great as the villain, so does it surprise that he is great here? It is also great to have Denholm Elliot and John Rhys-Davies back in the fold.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was so much fun. It has a fun, adventurous spirit just like Raiders of the Lost Ark. If this would have been the finale, it would have been the perfect end. Riding off into the sunset. The action, special effects, and production design are all stunning. I am glad they brought back Nazis because that Hitler sequence was so chilling. And who doesn’t like the Nazis getting their butts kicked. Spielberg has always been the king of movie magic. The Last Crusade is just one of those examples.

My Grade: A+