Customer Reviews

Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade - Widescreen Edition

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

 

 

The third and what was thought to be the final installment of the Indiana Jones mythos (the fourth film now in production) had a tall mountain to climb if it hoped to surpass the two previous films in special effects or intensity of storyline. Though the '89 release of `Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' didn't accomplish either task it was a thoroughly enjoyable movie particularly so because of the addition of Sean Connery to the storyline playing the part of Henry Jones, Indiana's Father.

It was also fun to see the Third Reich back in the storyline in their usual adversarial role. Don't the Nazi's make great movie villains? This is definitely another winner for Spielberg and Ford.

My Rating: -4 ½ Stars-.

1912, a Boy Scout troop is exploring caves. Two young boys happen upon some men looting. One of the boys recognizes a cross the leader in a black leather jacket and fedora is holding. It's Coronado's cross. He realizes this valuable artifact should be in a museum for all to enjoy and vows to stop the poachers from stealing the cross from posterity. He doesn't win--but he gets his enemy's hat and he vows to get the cross.

Thus begins the career of Indiana Jones.

We move forward to 1938. Indy has finally gotten the cross back from his arch nemesis. He's contacted by a wealthy man who has evidence of the existence of the Holy Grail.

He advises the man he has the wrong Jones. They should contact his father,

Jones is advised his father went first and is now missing. His principal mission is to find his father--then it becomes to keep the Nazis from getting the Grail.

There's a lot of good things going for this film:

Sean Connery as Jones Sr is a great foil for Harrison Ford. He's Prof Attila, the Medieval Lit prof no student wants, he's also an absent father, and a still-grieving widow after many years.

The Nazis are great enemies, in my opinion, much better than the thugges in "Temple of Doom" who were just creepy and odious.

Dr. Elsa Schneider is an excellent female counterpart to Indy. She's funnier than Kate Capshaw, smarter and soberer than Karen Allen--plus, she's got a bad side that makes her very interesting.

"The Last Crusade" was literally supposed to be the last run for Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, but I'm glad to see him back in the saddle. It will be interesting to see if he can play a senior adventurer with as much grace and humor as Sean Connery did.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

I know that the third installment in the "Indiana Jones" series is either loved or hated, but to me it's all in how you look at third films in any trilogy. For the most part, they are almost always more light hearted and comedic. It's like a wink to the audience, saying "we're still making these films"!!?? It's a solid action/adventure film in the tradition these film were created for in the first place, with great performances by all!

I haven't seen the newest "Indiana Jones" film yet, but now that I have revisited the trilogy I'm ready to see it! I'm reviewing this film from the original box set which has a good disc of extras and the DVD transfers look very good! I rate this installment 4 1/2 stars.

It may just be coincidence but this time Harrison Ford that was a carpenter is not Dr. Indiana Jones (Junior) and his last crusade (until the next film) is to obtain a cup of a carpenter.

Even though this film can stand on its own, it can be more fully understood if you watch "Raiders of the lost Ark" first.

Once again we start out with a young Jones trying to save an artifact from pillagers. This lets us know of his heroic energy and introduces his father Professor Henry Jones (Sean Connery) and his obsession with the Holy Grail, even to the exclusion of his relationship with Junior.

Now grown Dr. Indiana Jones gives a class and explains that Archeology is a pretty strait forward science and not some search for legends. He receives a mysterious piece of post.

He is then approached by group of rich people that are in search of the Grail. It turns out that their top researcher has disappeared. Yep it is Professor Henry Jones. What can Indiana do but go looking for his father. He is accounted by his best friend who runs a museum Dr. Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliottt) as they team up with the last person to see his father Dr. Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody.) He gets a final warning "Do not trust anybody."

Will he find his father?
If he dies what will they have to talk about?
Does the Grail really exist?
Who are the mysterious people following him?

One of my favorite scenes is where Dr. Jones disguised in a German uniform bumps into Hitler (Michael Sheard of Star Wars fame).

Have fun watching this great film with the banter between Hennery and Junior. And remember "do not trust anybody."

One can compare this movie in the Indiana Jones trilogy with "Return Of The Jedi" in the first Star Wars trilogy (Episodes IV-VI). Both return to themes that were in the first movie and overlooked in the second. Unlike "Return Of The Jedi", this was a step backwards in quality as opposed to a forward step. But then, being a formula sequel like this makes it harder to improve.

Another comparison with the Raiders trilogy and Star Wars (which, considering George Lucas is involved with both, shouldn't be a surprise) is that both series started with a movie that appealed to the Judeo-Christian heritage this country has. The second movie in each series moved more into Hinduism. Unlike "Return Of The Jedi", this movie returns to its Judeo-Christian roots.

One twist in this movie, the rare one that actually worked, was Sean Connery portraying Indiana Jones' father. The late Gene Siskel gave this movie a thumbs down, because he didn't feel that relationship was developed well enough. Roger Ebert pointed out that people don't go to see an Indiana Jones movie because of its development of a father-son relationship.

One final comment. This is the only movie of the series with a PG-13 rating, basically because this was the only one released after the PG-13 rating was created. "Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom" was one reason that rating was created. The LA Times family viewing section of the movies felt the first two were definitely not for children. Yet this one was rated as "family". This is no more a family picture than the others were. The difference is that some want to redefine "family picture". And I feel this is actually less of a family movie than the other two.

Product came as requested and was in excellent condition. Bought it as a gift for my girlfriend. It's one of her favorite movies, and one of mine, as well.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is probably my favourite of the original "Raiders" trilogy. It begins with an event that gives us the details as to why Indiana has a chin scar, where he got his passion for archaeology, his hat, his whip, his hatred of snakes and ultimately his name. Excluding Ford, there are two stars in this film, the well-written story and Sean Connery as Indie's sometimes bumbling, but always loveable father, Henry Jones, Sr. - a man lost in his obsession of finding the Holy Grail. Some commentators say the father and son relationship is not fleshed out - I disagree and provide the following to make my point(warning spoilers):

1. In his attempted rescue of his Dad, merely hearing the sound of "Junior" brings Indie back to the "Yes sirs," of his youth;
2. Indie's anger when speaking of his deceased mother never understanding Henry Sr's obsession with the Grail and perhaps secretly how Indie blames his father for her death;
3. Indie standing in awe of his father when in the nick of time Henry Sr remembering a quote from Charlemagne saves them both from peril.
4. Henry Sr, nearly squeezes the life out of his boy realising Indie didn't miss the cliffhanger;
5. the pairs' conversation in the lounge of the zeppelin; and
6. the seemingly shared thoughts between them when Indie faces the "Devices".

Each of these scenes resonates of real-life experience between parent and child; a distant and rocky relationship due to personality, obsession and circumstance and yet an existing kinship. The comedic timing between Connery and Ford is perfect! I'm sorry that Connery never got a chance to do more comedy because he was certainly adept at it in this film. And what about that hat that Indie can never seem to be rid of?

Each of the Indiana Jones movies is strong enough to stand on its own merits, but this one is my personal favorite. Why? Well, there are many reasons. First off, we're adventuring with not one but TWO Joneses, as Indy is joined by his father played by Sean Connery (who else?). John Williams is again in top form here, with pieces ranging from frantic ( the castle escape and cycle chase) to medieval and mythic.

One of the things I like is that this is the warmest of Indy's adventures, but luckily it's not in a gooey E.T. kind of way. That wouldn't work for Indy. Rather, the warmth is displayed through the film's humor (it's arguably the funniest of the three.), and the strained father-son dynamic works to the audiences advantage, getting in some good laughs in some of the hairiest situations. Sallah and Marcus Brody return from the first film with expanded roles, both providing some fun comic relief.

The quest is of course, the most important part of any Indy film, and as with Raiders, Indiana is going head to head with the Nazis on a quest for an artifact of incredible power- the Holy Grail. The stakes are impossibly high, and as Jones, Sr. puts it, "There's no silver medal for second place."

The stunts are another big part of the series, and as with the other two films, Indy doesn't disappoint, finding new ways to make us sit on the edge of our seats and bite our nails. There's a fair share of action, including fistfights, gunfights, chases, and of course knocking a German Colonel out the window of a Zeppelin.

Well, you've read enough...Don't stand there, watch it!

1989's "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" was the last of the highly entertaining trilogy of adventure films brought to the screen by the talented duo of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. The trilogy featured Harrison Ford in his iconic role as the swashbuckling archeologist of the title. With a fourth movie due out in 2008 after a 20 year hiatus, the last one deserves a look back.

Spielberg and Lucas consciously borrowed from the 1930's adventure serials in creating Indiana Jones. "The Last Crusade" is perhaps the most fully realized story of the trilogy, not least due to the stroke of genius decision to cast veteran actor Sean Connery as Indy's missing archeologist father, Professor Jones.

After a prologue in which we learn how Indiana Jones got his start in archeology, the story proper begins with Indiana learning that his father has disappeared from a research project seeking the long-missing "Holy Grail." Indiana, assisted by his academic friend Dr. Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliot), and his father's attractive blonde co-worker, Dr. Elsa Schniender (Alison Doody), takes off in pursuit. The group quickly find themselves in a desperate race with a group of Nazi plotters to reach the Holy Grail first.

The race for the Grail ends in a virtual tie at an ancient and obscure temple in the deserts of Jordan. Here, Indiana and his friends must survive a betrayal and unlock a series of archeological puzzles to find the Grail and save Indy's father.

This movie was the best of the trilogy. The priceless interaction between Connery and Harrison is worth the movie all by itself. The familiar features of an Indiana Jones adventure are all here. The potentially sensitive subject of the biblical legends about the Holy Grail itself is nicely handled. This movie is very highly recommended to fans of the Indiana Jones series and to newer viewers looking for an entertaining story.

Best Indiana Jones film! They did everything right in this movie. I only hope they can pull it off again once the forth one comes out.