The Last Crusade, A film many consider to be the perfect installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. If this is your first time reading a review lab post, welcome! I’m Harry and for this miniseries I have been going through the Indiana Jones franchise in build up to The Dial of Destiny.
So far we have called Raiders of the Lost Ark a Timeless classic and had mixed thoughts on Temple of Doom. We have also been ranking them as we go. Here’s how that looks so far:
1st - Raiders Of The Lost Ark
2nd - Temple of Doom
So as we head into speaking about The Last Crusade, a film as mentioned many consider it to be perfect, will the film live up to its previous watches. Will i enjoy this as much or even better than Raiders of the Lost Ark (A film in my top films of all time).
Well….
It's a choice I've found very hard to decide. As many already know, The Last Crusade is a fantastic movie hence i would consider it to be the perfect adventure movie.
The Last Crusade has everything we love about this franchise in one film, it has action set-pieces, a story that’s engaging and thought provoking throughout and characters that you enjoy watching. At this point in Indy’s story, both Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg understand the character completely. Harrison Ford is the character through and through. Spielberg gives us sequences that not only reinforce our love for this character but also allows us to learn more about him along the way, which is a hard task after three movies.
Take the opening 15-20 minutes or so. Whilst many compare the opening to the Temple of Doom to that of a James Bond film, you could also argue that the first 15-20 minutes of this film especially could liken that to Spielberg making a western. Not only do we get to see a young Indiana Jones, we get to see his inspiration, where he gets his famous fedora, his use of a whip and his scar on his chin. It's such an exhilarating sequence with River Phoenix as young Indy. It shouldn't really work, but because it knows it's being a little silly and fun, it completely does.
Whilst this film still has a love interest of sorts for Indy, that's not its primary focus. Instead this film has Indy on an adventure with his estranged father. It's a dynamic we haven't yet seen in the films and gives us a whole new side to this character we thought we understood. Indiana and his father very much have a broken and almost toxic relationship to start. Sure there is a father son love there, but that's about it. They don't get on. Even when addressing their relationship, we get to see Indy being vulnerable for the first time.
His dad even says ‘You left just as you were becoming interesting’. Its such a small piece of dialogue yet shows their relationship perfectly for where they are at that moment. It’s a really interesting relationship to have played out for this film, and I think the performances of both Harrison Ford and Sean Connery and how they play the scene together helps it work. Spielberg also allows these moments to breathe whilst giving them elements of comedy and emotion. So by the time we get to the end of the film and they have come full circle in their relationship, it feels earned and somewhat cathartic.
Whilst having this relationship play out throughout the film, Spielberg makes sure to give us added comic relief in the form of characters Sallah and Marcus Brody. Not only do we get to see the dynamic of Indy and his friends, we also see how Indy and his fathers dynamic affect those around them. Sallah in particular always provides comic relief, especially in the midst of a long action set piece. My favorite line has to be ‘That car belonged to my brother in law’ after a car explodes. It's so simple, but extremely funny.
As well as the characters and their dynamics, Spielberg and Co paint a story that is both mysterious and engaging. Spielberg allows us to discover the clues alongside Indiana. Giving us time to work it out for ourselves before telling us in an engaging way. Making the mystery of the film visual and engaging. Look at the library sequence for example, when searching for the numbers, we as an audience are not immediately told where they are, we have to search alongside Indiana. Its film-making at its smartest in my opinion.
Putting all of this together is no easy feat. Especially when you include the set-pieces that are to the scale that Spielberg creates them. For example the tank chase sequence. We’re given a lengthy action set piece that changes constantly. From horseback to tank and so on. The set piece itself is constantly evolving. Spielberg also takes the time to make the environment its own character, for example turning the concept of the cliff-edge into its own villain alongside the tank, giving Indiana something else to defeat. It helps keep the sequence fresh and the audience on the edge of their seats.
Overall The Last Crusade is a perfect adventure movie, constantly evolving and challenging its audience whilst making sure we feel involved and given moments to stop for breath. The dynamic between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery gives us emotional moments alongside a ton of laughs. Ford particularly is in his absolute element in this movie and you can see how much he adores the character. This will always be a great watch.
Now after everything I have written about, you would think The Last Crusade would be an easy first place. Yet for me, I'm not sure. Raiders of the Lost Ark always holds more of a special place in my heart, but you cannot deny that The Last Crusade is the better movie. So keeping this in mind here is my current ranking so far
JOINT 1ST - The Last Crusade & Raiders of the Lost Ark
2nd - The Temple of Doom
I know I know, it's kind of cheating, but for now it's what I am going with. As we speak about Kingdom of the Crystal Skull next and then The Dial of Destiny after, I'm sure my ratings will look a lot more definitive.
Now come back on the 26th of June for our look back at Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!
Until Then,
Stay Safe, Look After Each Other.
Harry x