Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at 30

The first major movie of the summer of 1989 was the third Indiana Jones film. It was five years since the second film of the trilogy--Temple of Doom--and the buildup was pretty intense.

It was also well worth the wait.

A Return to the Original Vibe

After my recent re-watch of Temple of Doom on its 35th anniversary, I naturally migrated to Last Crusade for its 30th. Of the two, I know Last Crusade much better largely for two reasons. One, the soundtrack is, more or less, chronological with the film. Since it is one of my favorite soundtracks John Williams ever wrote, I listened to it constantly, internalizing much of it. Two, I had the best summer job ever in that magical year: I worked in a movie theater. I got to slip inside the theater and catch snippets of the movie. In an era before the Internet, I was able to memorize chunks of the movie.

For obvious commercial reasons, Spielberg and Lucas turned their attention back to a Middle Eastern setting and a Judeo-Christian artifact. It worked. They also added Indy's father to the mix, which was brilliant. Loved it in '89. Still love it in '19.

Brody and Sallah Return

It was always great to have these two characters return for the third film. Sallah was pretty much the same, but Brody changed. Well, not entirely. In Raiders, he was the man who said if he was younger, he'd go with Indy. In Last Crusade, right up to the point where he says, "I'll tell him [Donovan] we'll take two [tickets]," he's the Raiders version of himself.

The very next scene, he's already a worry-wart. What gives? Sure, the punchline after Indy convinces the Nazis that Brody could blend in is funny--as is the comment about getting lost in his own museum--but it does disservice to the character. Would have liked him to remain as he was.

The Music is Magical

Still remains one of my all-time favorite soundtracks. Especially loved the music accompanying the motorcycle chase. "Scherzo for Motorcycle and Orchestra" I believe it's called. We even played it in college marching band.

Love the musical cue when Donovan opens his eyes after drinking the water from the fake grail.

New Things I Noticed/Wondered

Speaking of that scene, I wondered if Elsa picked the wrong grail on purpose?

When Indy returns with the magical water, Brody crosses himself. Never noticed that before.

This is the first time I've seen this film all the way through since I became a dad. Henry's calm mention of Indy's preferred name, "Indiana," at that crucial moment brought the emotions to the front. I knew it was coming, but I hadn't experienced it from this side of parenthood. It means everything.

The Sunset

In 2019, we are on the other side of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and still awaiting a potential Indy 5. This re-watch of Temple of Doom and Last Crusade pretty much means I'm going to re-watch Crystal Skull. But I still contend they should have stopped with Last Crusade.

They literally rode off into the sunset. What better ending is there?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. What better way to kick of the Summer of 1989?

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at 35

I didn't get to see Indiana Jones at the Temple of Doom on opening day because of school. And my parents.

Back in 1984, I was finishing my freshman year of high school. It was Finals Week. Some of my friends were going to see the movie opening day. My parents said no. It wasn't a full no. It was a no until after finals. I grumbled, knowing I wouldn't be able to see it opening day. But I ended up seeing it.

As a youth, I loved it. It was an Indiana Jones file. What's not to love? Temple of Doom was different than Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not bad. Different. I loved seeing Short Round, a few years younger than my fifteen-year-old self. The love interest, Willie Scott, was not Marion Ravenwood. The music was fantastic. And seeing Indy/Harrison Ford react to the blood of Kali was pretty gripping stuff.

Over the years, I've rarely rewatched Temple of Doom. Once Last Crusade came out, it eclipsed the second movie in my list. Then, when Crystal Skull was released, Temple of Doom was no longer the "worst" Indy film. That's a misnomer. Temple of Doom was never the worst. It was just third in a great trilogy of films.

Now that we've had the 35th anniversary, I felt it was long past time to revisit the movie. I've got a lot more years in me--and a many more stories--so I was able to appreciate Temple of Doom on its own.

The 2019 Verdict

And I really enjoyed it. Yes, it is definitely different in tone, but that's what Lucas and Spielberg wanted. They wanted the darker sequel/prequel to the bright first entry. Granted, Raiders was plenty dark. The vibe Lucas and Spielberg seemed to be going for was the scary adventures of the pulp magazines of the 1930s. I've read and studied much about the pulps by now, and I can easily see they got what they wanted.

I also appreciated Indy's choices in the movie. For all of his heroics in Raiders, he was on a mission for someone else. Well, something else: the US government. In Temple of Doom, Indy is out for himself. He's figured out the missing sacred rock of the village is one of the Shakara Stones. "Fortune and glory" is what prompts him on the journey, but the missing children is what grips his heart.

This is the first time I've watched this movie as a dad. I viscerally felt the anguish of the parents this time. What if some ancient evil took all the children? What if it took my child? What would I do?

What Indy did. His utterance of "All of us" right as he starts the children revolt is striking. Always was, but when you're a fifteen year old, you don't get it as much as you do when you're fifty.

Which made the reunion of the kids with the parents so much better this time. I know all those folks were actors but dang, did the emotions come during that scene. Well done.

I noticed how Ford lightened up Indy a little bit. Despite the darkness of the film, Indy himself is mostly light, especially with the interplay between him and Willie and him and Short Round. I'm sure Ford shaped the character in this manner, and I enjoyed it.

The music! 

I haven't heard this music in a long time, but I was humming it all the time after the re-watch. "Short Round's Theme" and "Mine Car Chase" are as great as always, but "Slave Children Crusade" was extra special this time. 

And I didn't even mind Willie's screaming all the time.

In all, I again thoroughly enjoyed re-watching Temple of Doom.  And no: I cannot believe it has been thirty-five years!

With the Temple of Doom anniversary and Last Crusade anniversary (30, all part of the magnificent Summer of '89 at the movies), I think you know what's coming next.