20 Reasons Why You Rock: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Despite opening in theaters nationwide on May 24, 1989, I remember not checking out Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade until several weeks later. At the time, it was widely believed that Last Crusade would be Indy’s final adventure and I guess I was in no hurry to say goodbye to a character that I idolized from the moment I first saw him on the big screen eight years earlier.
When I did finally see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I was kicking myself for not experiencing it sooner. I remember thinking, if this is it for Indiana Jones he couldn’t have asked for a more perfect finale. Of course, Last Crusade would not be the end of the franchise (to the chagrin of many) but I believe that it is the best move in the franchise (and many would say should have been the end). Even if you don’t feel the same way, I think we can all agree that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade rocks…
#1. River Phoenix nailed his performance as young Indiana Jones. His mannerisms and his vocal inflections perfectly mimicked those of the Indiana Jones that Harrison Ford brought to life. And what an opening sequence for River’s young Indy to work in. Indy’s very first adventure established so much of the Indiana Jones lore… the fear of snakes, the scar on his chin, Indy’s belief that ancient artifacts belong in museums and of course, what would become Indy’s signature hat. We even get our first tease of Dr. Henry Jones Sr.
#2. Right out of the open, the movie transitions from 1912 to 1938 and Indy’s quest for the cross of Coronado that began as a teenager in Utah, is completed in classic Indiana Jones fashion.
#3. The return of Denhom Elliott’s Marcus Brody was a breath of fresh air. This time around, Marcus’ role was expanded and he gets in on the action and often provided some comic relief along the way.
#4. There were plenty of new characters introduced in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade… First there was Walter Donovan, played by Julian Glover of For Your Eyes Only and The Empire Strikes Back fame. Donovan is a businessman who is obsessed with the Holy Grail, much like Indy’s dad. Donovan famously tells Indy not to trust anyone… but Indy could have never guessed that meant Donovan himself.
#5. With his father missing, Indy and Marcus Brody make their way to Henry Jones Sr.’s last known whereabouts Venice, Italy… or as Indy would say, “Ahhh, Venice!”, which became sort of a running gag in the film and if by some crazy chance I ever found myself in Venice, there’s no doubt that I would be saying it constantly.
#6. When Indy and Brody arrive in Venice they are greeted by Dr. Elsa Schneider, an Austrian professor who had been working with Indy’s father. Elsa was played by Alison Doody of A View to a Kill and RRR fame. Elsa joins Indy on his adventures in Venice and the two even get caught up in the romance of the city. But like Donovan, Elsa betrays the Joneses… a nice twist from what we had come to expect from the women in Indy’s life.
#7. Despite telling his class that “X never, ever marks the spot”… X does in fact mark the spot in the church turned library in Venice, where they find the entrance to Sir Richard’s tomb. Isn’t it ironic? The Ark of the Covenant cameo was a nice touch.
#8. Raiders had snakes, Temple of Doom had bugs… Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade continues the tradition with rats!!
#9. Last Crusade takes full advantage of the Venice setting with an epic boat chase as the Order of the Cruciform Sword do their best to prevent Indiana Jones quest for the Holy Grail… and they nearly do it, until they find out the true nature of Indy’s quest. This scene is one of the many that is elevated thanks to one man…
#10. I can’t believe I made it halfway through this list without recognizing the legend that is John Williams. Williams once again lent his musical talents to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and it really was some of his finest work. If you didn’t check out our birthday tribute to Mr. Williams and the music of the Indiana Jones franchise earlier this year, you can do so by clicking here!
#11. Now for the reason I believe Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade edges out Raiders of the Lost Ark as the best movie in the franchise… Sean Connery as Henry Jones Sr. Sean Connery and Harrison Ford are magic together as father and son. In some ways they are complete opposites, in other ways it is obvious that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Connery brought his star power and his character was the heart of the movie.
#12. Marcus Brody was not the only character to return in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, John Rhys-Davies’ Sallah was back too. Originally tasked with taking care of Marcus Brody, Sallah finds himself on the rescue mission to save both Henry Jones Sr. and Marcus Brody thanks to those evil Nazis! The chemistry between Sallah and Indy is a highlight and Sallah really should be up for some sort of best friend award.
#13. One of my favorite lines in the movie is when Donovan exclaims, “Germany has declared war on the Jones boys”. . That declaration then starts off a chain reaction of action… starting with The Joneses having to escape the castle they are being held in, complete with a room on fire and secret passageways.
#14. Once Indy and Henry make it out of the castle, we get some steel horse jousting action!
#15. Indiana Jones coming face to face with Adolf Hitler is a classic movie moment… and while I would have loved to see Indy pull an Art LaFleur from Zone Troopers and deck Hitler… that really wasn’t the time or place and the movie would have an unhappy ending.
#16. Speaking of Nazis… of all the Nazis that Indy tangled with, I think Michael Byrne’s Vogel was Indy’s toughest challenge. Byrne deserves props for being such an excellent heel. And who didn’t love seeing him get thrown out of the zeppelin in the famous “Tickets Please” scene!
#17. If I had to pick a favorite Sean Connery moment from the movie it would have to be when Henry takes down a Nazi plane after he suddenly remembers his Charlemagne.
#18. The Belly of the Steel Beast scene is by far the best action sequence in the entire movie, reminiscent to the desert chase scene from Raiders, it’s one highlight after the next with Vogel and Indy having their final showdown. But my favorite moment may be when Marcus Brody asks “How does one get off this thing?”
#19. Why would Indy ever help the Nazis get the Holy Grail? The answer is he wouldn’t… however he would do anything to save his father’s life. The movie perfectly sets the stage for Indy to conquer the three devices of such lethal cunning (or booby traps for those in the know). It’s also the scene that makes me say “PENITENT… PENITENT” multiple times.
#20. Not only do we get to lay eyes on The Holy Grail before the movie is all said and done, we also get the Grail Knight and more importantly the demise of the traitorous Donovan and Elsa… which along with the Grail healing Henry’s gunshot wound, makes for one helluva happy ending!
