In almost every film series the first instalment is the best. Second instalment rarely matches quality of the first and the creators have reason to be happy when it is merely successful enough to justify another sequel. It is usually at the third instalment when the series goes spectacularly for the worse. Thankfuly, one of the most beloved film series of 1980s escaped that fate. While Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first Indiana Jones film, represented the best of them, the second - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - is now, despite very good box office success, viewed as something of a disappointment. In 1989 Steven Spielberg with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade succeeded not only in making third part of his series better than the second, but also delivered one of the most successful and iconic films of its time, and many fans actually see it as the best Indidna Jones film.
The plot is set in 1938, two year since the events depicted in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford returns in the role of archaeology professor and adventurer Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. He is approached by businessman Walter Donovan (played by Julian Glover) who tells him that he had supported his father Dr. Henry Jones (played by Sean Connery) in his life-long quest to discover mythical Holy Grail. He has, however, disappeared in Venice, so Indiana Jones, together with his colleague Marcus Brody (played by Denholm Elliott), goes there to find him. He is greeted by father’s Austrian colleague Dr. Elsa Schneider (played by Allison Doody), beautiful woman with whom he starts romantic relationship. Two of them find clues about Grail, while being pursued by Brotherhood of Cruciform Sword, secret society sworn to protect the Grail. Indiana Jones also discovers that his father was actually abducted by Nazis whose leader Adolf Hitler (played by Michael Sheard) wants the Grail in order to use its mystical powers for world conquest. Indiana Jones goes to castle at Austro-German border to set his father free. When father and son finally reunite, they travel to Middle Eastern state of Hatay where they would try to locate Grail, which had been found by Crusaders centuries ago.
Script by Jeffrey Boam at first glance looks quite unoriginal and actually repeats the basic plot of The Raiders - Indiana Jones must travel to Middle East to discover ancient artefact and prevent it from falling in hand of Nazis that would use its mystical powers to conquer the world. Luckily, Spielberg was quite aware of it and took great effort to make Last Crusade into something different. This becomes clear at the very beginning when the character of Indiana Jones is given an origin story in the form of long prologue depicting 13-year old Jones as Boy Scout in Utah. The sequence, in which River Phoenix brilliantly plays teenage Indiana, perfectly capturing Harrison Ford’s mannerisms, is another triumphant display of Spielberg’s film making and story telling skills, which, among other things, convincingly shows how Indiana Jones got his iconic bull whip, hat and fear of snakes. But even more important was decision to pair the protagonist with the character of his father. This not brought popular and iconic Sean Connery as Ford’s co-star, but also allowed Spielberg to add another narrative layer to plot. Character of Henry Jones Sr. Is actually quite different from his son; unlike adventurous Junior, his father is bookworm who has buried in his research and neglected family. The quest for Grail in the film also serves as quest for the father and opportunity to restore broken family unit, which is subject quite common for Spielberg’s family-oriented films. Connery, for the first time comfortable in non-action role and enjoying playing an old man (despite being late 50s in real life and only twelve years older than his-costar), and Ford has great chemistry together. This serves film especially well in emotionally strong final section of the film.
Spielberg, aided by large budget that allowed superb special effects, probably the best in pre-CGI era, confidently directs the film and puts legendary British studios and various locations all over the world to good use. Film was partially made in Jordan and the ancient city of Petra became popular tourist attraction for being used in some of the scenes. Spielberg allows film to flow naturally from location to location, with plot and characters not standing in a way of spectacular and innovative action scenes, that include large variety of chases – horse chase, car chase, motorcycle chase, boat chase, plane chase and, what is actually most memorable scene of the film, tank chase for which Spielberg modified replica of WW1-era British Mk VIII tank. His efforts are helped by brilliant cinematography of Douglas Slocombe and excellent stunt work coordinated by Vic Armstrong. John Williams returns with another great musical score which is, due to use of instantly recognisable and effective leitmotifs, one of the best in his career.
Few weaknesses of this film can be found mostly in cast. Julian Glover is quite weak and not particularly memorable in the role of film’s main villain. Same can be said about Irish actress and former Bond girl Alison Doody; although she looks more glamorous and beautiful than Indiana Jones’ romantic partner in previous three films, she, unlike Karen Allen and Kate Capshaw, lacks proper chemistry with Ford and her character is underwritten. Denholm Elliott, played by veteran British character actor Denholm Elliott, who played much more serious Marcus Brody in Raiders, has his character reduced to buffoon and Jonathan Ryhs-Davies, who repeats the role of Sallah, is also reduced to glorified cameo.
That, however, didn’t matter in the end. Last Crusade received good reviews and, despite formidable competition at the box office, became commercially most successful film of the year. Verdict of the audience was confirmed by the critics, creating reputation that last to this day and for many, especially youngest of GenXers, this represents the most popular of all Indiana Jones films. This, just like the iconic scene at the end where Joneses, Brody and Sallah ride into sunset, represented the perfect way to end the trilogy. Two decades later another sequel, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, failed to change such perception.
RATING: 8/10 (+++)
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