Customer Reviews

Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 12 - Attack of the Hawkmen [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For fans of the series, this is an indispensible episode. It explains Indy's transition from the Belgian Army to the French Secret Service. His inculcation into that Service is worth the purchase price alone. Indy's scene with the French "Q" Branch--a la Ian Fleming--more than makes up for the fact that later on in the episode we're supposed to believe that what is obviously Prague is actually Germany. (There were a thousand places in the Czech Republic that could've looked like turn-of-the-century Germany, but they chose to land Indy on the Charles Bridge. Why not just have him land in front of the Eiffel Tower and say he was in Venice?)

Location not withdstanding, Indy's humorous turn as James Bond, complete with not-so-field-tested gadgets, is some of the best stuff in the entire series.

Unlike "Adventures in the Secret Service," Indy's vulnerabilities as an inexperienced spy hearken to the necessarily ingenious Indy we see portrayed by Harrison Ford. He's somewhat prepared for the adventures before him, but he's still "makin this stuff up as he goes along." There is, thus, a sense of fun in this episode that his later spying activities lack.

More than that, the historical figures he meets--Fokker and the Red Baron--are plausibly injected into the plotline, and we leave feeling that the balance between history and adventure are pretty much right in this one. For _Doctor Who_ fans, there's even a largish role played by the late Jon Pertwee.

Other episodes may have more heart ("Oganga, the Giver and Taker of Life") or more pure adventure ("Treasure of the Peacock's Eye"), or more military maneuvering ("Daredevils of the Desert"), but this one is probably the most fun.

This is definitely one of the best installments in the Young Indiana Jones Trilogy. It mixes spying, action, suspense, and drama very well, along with good character development.

From the moment the massive zeppelin pierces through the clouds above Paris in the beginning of the movie, you can tell that this movie will be great. As George Lucas says, it focuses on the airwar aspect of World War 1, and that leads to an exciting experience for Indy with the Lafayette Escadrille Flying Squadron. The action takes off from there, along with good character development of Baron Manfred Richtoffen (Red Baron). His character is seemingly good for an "enemy", so to speak, of Indy.

Once the airplane half of the movie is over, Indy immediately goes into a cat and mouse chase with airplane designer Anthony Fokker, which eventually leads to a climatic battle at the German naval base at Ahlhorn. Fokker's character is well developed, but there is a certain scene on a train that was too intended. Indy has secretly given a letter to Fokker, and while departing from the train, must kiss some woman to hide from Fokker. It was a rather lame way, I thought, of trying to get romance into this particular Indy episode. I also noticed that the German theme music contained the first half of the theme that was used for the Germans in THE LAST CRUSADE. I thought that was a good way to tie in the Young Indy series with the originals.

Other than that, this movie is really good, and I would suggest you see it. Whether you're an Indy fan or not, it is sure to please.

This is the only Young Indiana Jones film I've seen but it certainly does the series justice. A good adventure and strong characters. The only part it fell down on was the inconclusive ending. Anyway, it's worth seeing if just to drool over the likes of Sean Patrick Flanery and Marc Warren!

A very entertaining episode that has the feel of the movies. As usual, flanery is great as indy and this time he photographs an air battle from a plane against the infamous German pilot the red baron. After Indy's plane is shot down, he is taken prisoner by the Germans only to escape in a great car chase sequence. In the end Indy stumbles upon a great new German plane and more action takes place. Overall a great episode worthy of watching more than just once.

I saw the "Young Indiana Jones" episodes on television in 1992-93. When I first found out they were available on video, I bought all of them that were available. They are THAT GOOD! The production is superb and impressive, filmed on location at sites all over the world. The action is packed, dramatic, intriguing, and suspenseful. But, most of all, Sean Patrick Flanery brings the realism of the situation up close and personal. He is an extremely talented actor. Not enough people appreciate this guy! He deserves alot more credit!

It's Indiana Jones versus the Red Barron and the surprise highlight is Jon Pertwee, star of Doctor Who, as one of the bad Germans. Jon is great! This is one of his last performances before he sadly passed away. (The episode Daredevils in the Desert features othe veteran Doctor Who: Colin Baker)

Join Indiana Jones through the great war as he continues his spy work in the Attack of the Hawkmen. Go through treacherous escapes and meet amazing people like Anthony Fokker(Plane Engineer)and meet the daring Red Baron. So join Indy on this amazing adventure through the skys of Germany and daring battles fought on the ground against the germans. Great for the entire family.

This fast paced fun-filled adventure is a joy to watch. Indy takes on the Red Baron, then goes behind enemy lines to reach Anthony Fokker, designer of the infamous tri-plane. This is a supurb video to buy.

In this episode, the younger Indiana Jones is over in Europe fighting on the side of the Entente powers in the First World War. It is before the United States has entered the conflict and he is working in the intelligence service. He is transferred to the famous Lafayette Escadrille air squadron, where he works as a photographer. His job is to go up with the pilot, who flies low and slow so that Indie can take quality photographs of the enemy military installations.
His plane is shot down and the Germans capture him, and he meets the legendary German Ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron). In true chivalrous style, Indie dines with the Baron and his fellow flyers, before being taken away to a prison camp. This aspect of the episode was very appropriate; one of the last places where war was chivalrous was in the air aspect of the First World War. The opposing combatants worked hard to kill each other, yet treated each other with respect, many of the air battles were more in the form of a personal duel than a cog in a vast war.
Indie escapes and his next mission is to try to convince the aircraft design genius Anthony Fokker to leave the German side and work for the allies. The mission takes Indie to a German airport where Zeppelins are made and he gets his first glimpse of a new German airplane. The plane is so powerful that it could carry massive bombs loads for great distances. Indie completes his mission and manages to get back to the Allied side with the information he has obtained.
Men who were wild, a bit crazy, extremely brave, a bit reckless and willing to die for their side populated the air services in all sides in the First World War. They were pioneers in a new adventure, where men enjoyed the three-dimensional freedom of the air. This episode captures much of their free spirit, determination and gallantry, which is a good thing. Given the subsequent role of air power in warfare, this is probably the last time that the two words, "airman" and "gallantry" could be correctly uttered in the same sentence.

It must be Indiana Jones! Austria, 1917:

After forging transfer documents to get himself and his best friend, Remy, out of the Belgian Army and into the French Secret Service, Indy finds himself doing airborne photo reconnaissance with the legendary Lafayette Escadrille. When he and a pilot are shot down by the infamous Red Baron, a high-flying duel is set, and Indy must find a way to take the pictures he needs in the middle of a deadly dogfight. The moment the deed is done, Indy is whisked away on another mission, finally doing the spy work he's been waiting for. After a very James Bond-esque briefing and equipping session, Indy is sent behind enemy lines in pursuit of aircraft designer Anthony Fokker, in an attempt to buy him over to the French side. But while undercover, Indy discovers that the Germans possess a remarkable secret weapon that could win them the war!

Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the Hawkmen is one of the best in the series! Full of action, adventure, and fun, in the true spirit of Indiana Jones! The characters are captivating, and the stories full of history, heroism, and heart. This is a must have video for any fan of adventure, history, and Indiana Jones!