CLASSIC INDY: AN 'INTOLERABLE' SITUATION!

They've been captured by those damn Nazis, betrayed by a once friend, and now imprisoned in a castle on the Austrian border, where they soon find themselves in an inferno. But through it all, Indiana Jones and his 'dad' will get through such hardship via the pure cinematic adventure and humour that is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!

CLASSIC INDY: METAL MAYHEM!

A sequence rich in action, suspense, danger, heroism and emotional humour, heightened by a terrific score from John Williams, the battle by Indy to rescue his father from the belly of a German tank was surely one of the indomitable physical highlights of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade back in 1989, filmed in Spain in spectacular and explosive fashion by an enthused crew led by Steven Spielberg, and a wonderful example of why the Indy franchise has endured and remains superior to so many action movies before and since.

CLASSIC INDY: 'IT BELONGS IN A MUSUEM!'

It's been a pursuit that has taken him across the world since his teenage years, now Indiana Jones' personal quest to recover the stolen Cross Of Coronado nears success. But first he has to retrieve it from the evil 'Carnation Man' and get off a doomed sea transport, in this superb action scene concluding the vigorous past prologue opening to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989.

GOODBYE, SEAN CONNERY...

He was and remains the only true James Bond with the unique license to kill these past fifty years and beyond. And who else could have possibly played the father to fellow filmic action hero successor Indiana Jones than that impressive man of talent and sex appeal that was Sean Connery, the superstar instinctively recognising the huge potential of the role of Holy Grail-hunting obsessive Dr. Henry Jones Sr, adding a welcome fusion of humour and quirky tenacity to him for the audience beloved Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. And it was a fun performance that could have but didn't steal the film away from his co-star lead in soon friend Harrison Ford. Instead, Connery's collaboration with Spielberg and company helped craft a fine and unforgettable double act between him and Ford, on screen blessed with comedy, humour and relatable father/son emotion. 

The icon Scottish legend, who single-mindedly conquered an early life of poverty, sadly passed away today at 90, his departure to the realms of his very own Holy Grail robbing us of another truly marvellous screen presence who fully deserved his icon status. Thankfully, Connery's shrewd and strong-willed charismatic personality will live forever on celluloid- not just via a superb and diverse legacy of film work (obviously including his 007 persona), but also through his numerous charitable endeavours that will not be forgotten by his friends, countrymen, worldwide fans and fellow influencers for education and personal development. R.I.P. 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/harrison-ford-mourns-death-of-onscreen-father-sean-connery

http://www.007magazine.co.uk/news_sean_connery.htm

CLASSIC INDY: TWO OF A KIND LEGENDS!

When unique past and present adventurers meet: the Arthurian Knight (Robert Eddison) charged with keeping the secret of the Holy Grail, and the archeologist on the most personal of quests to find it, in a charming moment of 'strangely dressed' crusaders at the near climax of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the end of STAR WARS AFICIONADO's celebration of the film's Thirtieth Anniversary in 2019.

CLASSIC INDY: THE TRUE BELIEVER!

Only those with belief in their hearts and minds will be able to reach the legendary cup of the Holy Grail, as seen in this impressive art referenced by the 'Jones boys' during their epic search, and with the eventual 'leap of faith' made by Indy himself, during the finale to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!

CLASSIC INDY: "OH, RATS..."

First there were snakes, then there were bugs, so it made for rats to be showcase creepies with the third film of the original Indiana Jones saga, as Indy and Dr. Elsa Schneider discover a horde whilst investigating the area of the Venice sewers leading to the second marker of the Holy Grail, in another memorable if squirm-inducing scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

CLASSIC INDY: HIGH SPEED NAZIS!

They've just about escaped Castle Brunwald, now the 'Jones Boys' find the German pursuit continues anew as they try to make the Austrian border, in another fun and memorable action scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Harrison Ford once more enjoys the company of the US Indy stunt team.

The sequence was added to the film in post production as both Lucas and Spielberg felt the story needed one more key action scene during its middle point. It was shot in San Francisco on the roads/property not far from Skywalker Ranch.

CLASSIC INDY: THE PATH TO FORTUNE AND IMMORTALITY

The path to the Holy Grail- its mysteries and power- via the once hidden Canyon of the Crescent Moon is finally in the evil sights of businessman Walter Donovan, watched by a concerned Elsa Schneider, in this moment filmed in Jordan for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

CLASSIC INDY: JUST HANGIN' AROUND!

Vogel and his German tank may have gone over one of the mighty cliffs at Alexandretta, but our Indy is still hanging on in there in this deleted moment that would have explained how he once more cheated death, and also seeing in one of the franchise's greatest comedy moments, during the exciting events of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Indy makes a miraculous reappearance in a genuine comedy gold moment.

CLASSIC INDY: THE 'CRUSADE' BEGINS...

When it comes to a magic combination of action, adventure and humour, X always marks the spot with the Indiana Jones franchise, as his 1989 quest for the Holy Grail and his missing father - as played by the inimitable Sean Connery - brings up a wealth of enduring cinematic moments. Terrific concept poster art for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade by Drew Struzan.

UK Anniversary: https://kooltvblog.blogspot.com/2019/06/dont-call-me-junior-indiana-jones-and.html

Release trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6JB2suJYHM

HAPPY UK THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY TO 'THE LAST CRUSADE'!

CLASSIC INDY: ELSA'S QUEST!

Sean Connery's presence may have taken the second lead status away from the next female star of the original Indy saga, but relative screen newcomer actress/model Alison Doody's role as the beautiful but traitorous Elsa Schneider was nonetheless intriguing and different to what had been prior seen with heroines Marion Ravenwood and Willie Scott. 

Working with the Nazis to discover the Holy Grail, battle proves a messy, bloody business for Elsa, when her cause leads her to a second encounter with the leader of the Cruciform Sword sworn to protect the ancient relic, soon callously murdered in front of her eyes by Walter Donovan - an ultimately deleted moment from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

CLASSIC INDY: FAMILY MATTERS!

'Who's going to come save you, Junior?' The Jones boys - art by Drew Struzan.

'The dad thing was my idea. The grail doesn't offer a whole lot of special effects and doesn't promise a huge physical climax. I just thought that the Grail that everybody seeks could be a metaphor for a son seeking reconciliation with a father and a father seeking reconciliation with a son. It also gave me a chance to suggest Sean Connery. Who else but Bond could have been worthy enough to play Indiana Jones' dad?'

Steven Spielberg - EMPIRE film magazine - 2006

HAPPY THIRTIETH BIRTHDAY TO 'INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE'!

CLASSIC INDY: AND HERE COMES DAD!

Originally conceived by George Lucas as more of a book-ish Yoda-like figure, the idea of casting the one and only James Bond 007 himself, Sean Connery, as Indy's father Henry Jones, Jr., was definitely an inspiring move by director Steven Spielberg, bringing extra character dimensions to Indy's character for emotional drama and humour most welcomed by Harrison Ford. Loving the part, Connery was himself an enthusiastic contributor to the storytelling, even bringing in some uncredited and successful comedy dialogue courtesy of UK talents Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais.

Together at the Elstree Backlot with Steven Spielberg.

CLASSIC INDY: S-S-SNAKES!

Wanting to get away from the prior darkness of The Temple of Doom, the saga's creators were determined that this potential final film in The Last Crusade was going to be a lot more for audiences to watch, whilst discovering and exploring more facets of Indiana Jones' character. And what a great start Lucas/Spielberg gave to the new film of 1989 - Indy's youthful origins (and phobias!) satisfyingly revealed via a fine performance from the late star River Phoenix, who worked closely with Harrison Ford to capture the character/actor's mannerisms and line delivery!

CLASSIC INDY: 'THAT SHOULD DO IT!'

The physicality of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones has added so much to the believablity and enduring popularity of the character over the years. But what to do about his always losing his famous hat during filming? Well, Ford worked out an intriguing, not to mention hilarious, solution during the making of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade's sojourn in Spain during 1988. Staple gun at the ready!

In production teaser trailer:
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - Making Of\Teaser Trailer - YouTube

CLASSIC INDY: OUT OF THE FRYING PAN...

'"Our situation has not improved!"

... but into an even greater fire, as father and son Jones's find themselves in a perilous, environmentally challenging new predicament inside the Nazi-run castle at Austria, in this classic image from the action comedy Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, celebrating its evergreen Thirtieth Anniversary this year. Watch for more celebrations of the film over the coming months on the site.

CLASSIC INDY: IN TROUBLE AGAIN!

Our hatted hero is escorted by two suited heavies (Graham Cole and Eugene Lipinsky) to a mysterious luxury penthouse apartment, and a sure mystery ahead, in an angle not seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

CLASSIC INDY: WATERY CONFLICT!

The once peaceful tourist attraction canals of Venice are soon the venue for a perilous high speed boat chase, as Indiana Jones fights a mysterious group intent on his not getting the information needed to find his missing father, in this memorable action scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

CLASSIC INDY: END OF THE ROAD?

That Nazi traitor Walter Donovan and his soldiers seems to have cornered Indy and the rest of our heroes, as the quest for the Holy Grail reaches its perilous climax- the stirring finale to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.