Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Synopsis of Movie

“You call this archaeology?!”

Like father, like son. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, third in the blockbuster trilogy, dropped kid sidekick Short Round but picked up another memorable partner in Henry Jones Sr., tweed-wearing father to archaeologist/danger magnet Indiana Jones. As played by Sean Connery, the elder Jones helped make this chapter a light-hearted departure from the darker Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but the film still packed in the chases and thrills, along with a return appearance of the Nazi Empire (“I hate these guys”).

In a prologue set in the 1910’s, teen Indiana Jones (played by River Phoenix) discovers a group of no-good treasure hunters while on a hike with his Boy Scout troop. The archaeologist-to-be knows that their find—a jewel-encrusted cross—belongs in a museum, so he steals it and tries to make his escape. The ensuing chase spills onto a passing circus train, where the origins of several of Indy’s famous features are revealed—the bullwhip, the fear of snakes, even the little scar on his chin. The adventurous teen loses the cross but gains his trademarked fedora, given to him by one of the treasure hunters.

Flash forward to 1939, where a now-grown Indy tries to get the cross back during a storm at sea. Back on land, Indy gets the news that his father has disappeared on his never-ending search for the Holy Grail, which promises immortality to whomever drinks from it. The elder Dr. Jones has compiled the ultimate reference guide, his personal diary, and the Nazis are willing to steal, kidnap, or kill to have it.

Only Henry and Indy know the diary’s location, and since it’s the only way to get his father out of the Nazis’ hands, Indy mounts yet another quest. The adventure takes him to rat-infested catacombs beneath Venice, to a Nazi-occupied castle in Austria, to a book-burning rally in Berlin and eventually to the Grail’s Middle Eastern resting place, where a test of knowledge and faith awaits.

Once again, director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas set out to top themselves with a non-stop parade of stunts and chases, involving boats, motorcycles, zeppelins, dogfighters, horses, tanks and more. Yet another lady love came on the scene—this one with the shadiest background yet—and the elder Dr. Jones finally revealed the truth behind the name “Indiana.”

The anticipation was overwhelming in the months leading up to this latest Indiana Jones installment, and when the film was finally released in May of 1989, it set records for first-week ticket sales (a record it soon lost to Tim Burton’s first Batman film). The Indiana Jones phenomenon showed no sign of letting up—in fact, the third film was an even bigger worldwide success than the first two—but this really was the “Last Crusade” for Indy and company, at least for now. The franchise moved to television for a brief run in 1992-93 with The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, but to date, no further film adventures have been planned.

Movie Release History

1981 - Raiders of the Lost Ark
1984 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
1989 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Movie Sub Categories

live-action
action/adventure

Movie Studio

Lucasfilm, Paramount

Cast

Indiana Jones  Harrison Ford
Professor Henry Jones  Sean Connery
Marcus Brody   Denholm Elliott
Dr. Elsa Schneider  Alison Doody
Sallah   John Rhys-Davies
Walter Donovan  Julian Glover
Young Indy  River Phoenix
Vogel   Michael Byrne
Kazim  Kevork Malikyan
Grail Knight  Robert Eddison
Fedora   Richard Young
Sultan  Alexei Sayle
Panama Hat  Paul Maxwell
Mrs. Donovan  Isla Blair
Butler  Vernon Dobtcheff
Herman   J.J. Hardy
Roscoe  Bradley Gregg
Half Breed   Jeff O'Haco
Rough Rider   Vince Deadrick
Sheriff  Marc Miles
Deputy Sheriff  Ted Grossman
Young Panama Hat  Tim Hiser
Scout Master   Larry Sanders
Scout #1  Will Miles
Scout #2  David Murray
Professor Stanton  Jerry Harte
Dr. Mulbrey  Billy J. Mitchell
Man at Hitler Rally  Martin Gordon
German Officer at Rally  Paul Humpoletz
Hatay Soldier in Temple  Tom Branch
Zeppelin Crewman  Graeme Crowther
Principal SS Officer at Castle  Luke Hanson
Officer at Castle  Chris Jenkinson
Female Officer at Castle  Nicola Scott
Young Officer at Castle  Louis Sheldon
Hatay Tank Gunner  Stefan Kalipha
Hatay Tank Driver  Peter Pacey
Gestapo  Pat Roach
G-Man  Eugene Lipinski
Man on Zeppelin  George Malpas
Irene  Julie Eccles
Flower Girl  Nina Almond

Other Movie Links

Updates to this Movie

Do you have an update or correction for this item? Send us Feedback here!