Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

1989

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writer: Jeffrey Boam, George Lucus, Menno Meyjes, and Philip Kaufman

127 Minutes

He was sent his father’s journal and with it, found the Knight’s shield, then named the city which the map begins, and escaped Nazi capture in addition to rescuing his father, then fled Germany only to be sitting next to a man he has nothing to say to, though has so much to explain.

In the scene above, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) shares a drink with his father.

Indiana Jones is the James Bond of Generation X. He’s a hero. He’s an adventurer. And he always manages to get out of impossible situations by using his charm, wits, and a big leather whip.

Everyone wants to be Indiana Jones, if only for a day.

But when facing Nazi Germany’s quest to find the Holy Grail, Dr. Jones will not only have to escape this evil enemy, but confront his repressed feelings over his absent father. That is his true test of character. Dr. Jones has beaten Nazi’s before. He has found mystical stones from a forbidden lands. He has discovered the Ark of the Covenant. And he’s even found two beautiful women to follow him on his journeys.

But, he has never faced his father. Until now.

During production of this film, the great Tom Stoppard, writer of Shakespeare in Love, Empire of the Sun, and Brazil, was brought in for additional dialog, specifically for Indiana and Professor Henry Jones’s (Sean Connery) interactions.

Spielberg said, “It was an emotional story, but I didn’t want to get sentimental. Their disconnection from each other was the basis for a lot of comedy. And it gave Tom Stoppard, who was uncredited, a lot to write. Tom is pretty much responsible for every line of dialog.”

In the scene above, both father and son have escaped every bit of danger, excitement, and thrills, though when they’re finally safe, they have one quiet moment together.

Indy comments, “Remember the last time we shared a drink. I had a milkshake.”

This moment means everything to a son. And even when Henry asks, “what do you want to talk about,” Indiana has no answers. He simply replies, ‘I can’t think of anything.”

But, he wished his father had been there. He wished to share his father’s adventures, asked for advice, and rode off into the sunset together. Every boy wishes that for his parental relationship. And if denied that, you are left with a certain disconnection that is so evident in this film. Perhaps that’s why most consider this film the best out of the series because of its emotional journey rather than simple action, adventure, and beautiful women plot lines.

Though Dr. Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody) is amazingly gorgeous.

In the end, Spielberg is the master at reconnecting failed relationships having the final shot of the film being Indiana and Henry riding into the sunset. Together.

The series of Indiana Jones is cinematic gold, holding up against Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and James Bond films. Dr. Jones, himself, is a character with humanistic actions, impeccable integrity, and a large fear of snakes. He doesn’t always say the right things, but he always does the right things.

“No ticket,” he says after tossing the Nazi Officer out the blimp window.

Well said, Dr. Jones.