Chris Luckett

10. INDIANA JONES AND
THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)

Release Date: May 24, 1989

Chronology: After the dramatic The Color Purple and Empire of the Sun, Spielberg briefly returned to his action roots with the third Indy adventure, before releasing the sentimental misfire Always later that year

Box Office: $197 million ($377 million, adjusted for inflation)

Oscars: 3 nominations, 1 win

Premise: Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) rescues and then teams up with his father, Henry, Sr. (Sean Connery), in a quest to find the Holy Grail before it’s discovered by the Nazis

Over two hours?: Yes

John Williams Score?: Yes

Father Issues?: Yes, Indy and his father spend the whole movie fighting, bonding, and fighting

War?: The dawn of World War II

Aliens?: Not until Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Special Appearances: Sean Connery and River Phoenix

Fun Fact: Spielberg wanted Connery to play Indy’s father because of the influence the character of James Bond had on the creation of Indiana Jones

Best Line: “He chose… poorly.”

Best Scene: 

Verdict: After the dull Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the third time was a charm. Teaming Indiana up with his father was an inspired move; the chemistry and banter between Ford and Connery is absolutely perfect. Many of the action sequences are the equal to those in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Its only real flaw is a feeling of “been there, done that” that comes from the similarity to many parts from Raiders, but ultimately, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a fantastic sequel that comes very to close to the quality of the original.

Rating: 4½ stars / 5