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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade poster

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

year 1989decade 80sdirector Steven Spielberggenre Adventuregenre Action

127 minutes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Harrison Ford Indiana Jones
Sean Connery Professor Henry Jones
Denholm Elliott Marcus Brody
Julian Glover Walter Donovan
River Phoenix Young Indy
Robert Eddison Grail Knight
Richard Young Fedora
Alexei Sayle Sultan
Alex Hyde-White Young Henry
Paul Maxwell Panama Hat
Isla Blair Mrs. Donovan
J.J. Hardy Herman
Bradley Gregg Roscoe
Jeff O'Haco Half Breed
Vince Deadrick Sr. Rough Rider
Marc Miles Sheriff
Ted Grossman Deputy Sheriff
Tim Hiser Young Panama Hat
Larry Sanders Scout Master
Will Miles Scout #1
David Murray Scout #2
Frederick Jaeger World War One Ace
Jerry Harte Professor Stanton
Billy J. Mitchell Dr. Mulbray
Martin Gordon Man at Hitler Rally
Paul Humpoletz German Officer at Hitler Rally
Tom Branch Hatay Soldier in Temple
Graeme Crowther Zeppelin Crewman
Luke Hanson Principal SS Officer at Castle
Chris Jenkinson Officer at Castle
Nicola Scott Female Officer at Castle
Louis Sheldon Young Officer at Castle
Stefan Kalipha Hatay Tank Gunner
Peter Pacey Hatay Tank Driver
Pat Roach Gestapo
Suzanne Roquette Film Director
George Malpas Man on Zeppelin
Julie Eccles Irene
Nina Armstrong Flower Girl
Vic Armstrong German Soldier (uncredited)
Dickey Beer German Agent (uncredited)
Jack Carter SS Soldier (uncredited)
Graham Cole Henchman (uncredited)
Bert Crome Zeppelin Passenger (uncredited)
Peter Diamond German Soldier (uncredited)
Hugh Elton Zeppelin Passenger (uncredited)
Albert Evansky Librarian (uncredited)
Norman Gay Zeppelin Passenger (uncredited)
Nick Gillard Tank Crewman Hit by Periscope (uncredited)
Martin Grace German Soldier (uncredited)
Paul Heasman Castle Brunwald Officer (uncredited)
Colin Hunt German Officer (uncredited)
Ronald Lacey Gestapo (uncredited)
Derek Lyons German Soldier (uncredited)
Paul Markham Airport Passenger SA Officer (uncredited)
Wayne Michaels German Agent (uncredited)
Orla Pederson Gestapo (uncredited)
Lee Richards Zeppelin Passenger (uncredited)
Michael Sheard Adolf Hitler (uncredited)
Lee Sheward Radio Op (uncredited)
Tip Tipping Tank Crewman (uncredited)
Chris Webb Castle Brunwald Radio Officer (uncredited)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonshost Chris Ryanhost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeck
Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

Venice brother’s tomb (two choices); Phoenix prologue (one choice)

In the discussion (16)
Approx. transcript time · 00:38:22Read transcript
  • The young-Indy Phoenix prologue is the initial favorite, a miniature star vehicle that could have supported a longer film.
  • Finding the brother’s tomb in Venice, the rats and the wooden-boat chase form another candidate sequence.
  • Indy finding his father establishes the Junior dynamic, followed by Elsa’s betrayal.
  • The floor-on-fire exchange and chair escape are praised for opposite-facing comic delivery.
  • Rotating fireplaces, secret stairs and the motorcycle chase are enjoyed as adventure devices.
  • The tank fight and apparent cliff fall are nominated, with later Fast and Furious imitations noted.
  • Henry being shot turns the quest object into the only way to save his life.
  • The final trials—kneeling, God’s footsteps and the leap of faith—are enjoyed.
  • The Nazi collaborator drinking from the wrong cup and rapidly aging is a highlight.
  • Elsa’s fatal reach and Henry finally addressing his son as Indy deliver the emotional resolution.
  • The first fifteen and final twenty minutes are considered strongest, with the castle sequence another favorite.
  • Throwing a man from the blimp onto luggage is an excellent sight gag.
  • Henry accidentally shooting off the plane’s tail and pretending enemy fire caused it is another comic highlight.
  • Two final preferences select finding the brother’s tomb: breaking the floor, X marking the spot and the Ark callback combine essential Indy pleasures.
  • The Phoenix prologue is the remaining final choice because it immediately attracts a repeat viewer.
  • The belatedly recalled joke contrasts Indy’s extravagant claims about Brody’s abilities with Brody helplessly seeking an English speaker.

Apex Mountain

Doody; Ford’s second peak, qualified; Grail’s second peak, disputed; Cross of Coronado, joking

In the discussion (13)
Approx. transcript time · 00:40:36Read transcript
  • Crucifixes are rejected as a general peak against Christ and The Exorcist, while the Cross of Coronado receives a narrowly qualified joke claim.
  • Ford is not at his overall peak but this belongs to a second career peak.
  • The Grail is a joking second peak after the crucifixion; preference between this film and Monty Python’s version remains split.
  • Snakes lose to Anaconda for Apex.
  • Rats are a possible Apex, with First Blood competing.
  • Connery is rejected for Apex.
  • Spielberg is rejected for Apex.
  • Lucas is rejected for Apex.
  • Doody receives yes.
  • Zeppelins prompt conflicting reactions and alternatives of Black Sunday and Led Zeppelin.
  • Rolling severed heads are rejected, with Eight Heads in a Duffel Bag proposed as competition.
  • Nazi stooges lose to Raiders’ Toht.
  • Donovan’s midday black-tie party is considered second to the Wolf’s Pulp Fiction gathering.

What’s Aged the Worst?

Plane effects; age gap; Scottish accent, disputed; pants anecdote; layovers and maps; fistfights; Grail guardians

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:48:34Read transcript
  • The plane sequence’s effects look like two actors on a soundstage, though a defender still prefers them to modern effects.
  • Indy’s accent is criticized, then corrected from Irish to Scottish and defended as an intentional joke.
  • The twelve-year father-son actor age gap and effects are recalled as weaknesses.
  • The reported habit of Connery removing his tweed pants off-camera was treated as funny then but would meet a different reaction now.
  • The many layovers on the Venice flight make 1930s air travel look arduous.
  • The red-line map inserts feel less sophisticated than the surrounding high-end filmmaking.
  • Long fistfights feel harder to revisit after John Wick 4.
  • The Grail-protecting order’s willingness to die for an object they have never seen strains belief; its defenders compare the mythology with other action worlds and emphasize preventing misuse.

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

More Indy adventures; full Phoenix prequel; blimp travel revival, disputed

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:49:30Read transcript
  • The series could have produced adventures every two years, perhaps fifteen films, instead of treating the material as exhausted.
  • Blimps should return as a relaxed way to travel; voyage length, speed and fire risks draw strong objections.
  • A full Phoenix prequel in 1989, with this film delayed or replacing Temple of Doom, is proposed as a missed opportunity.

What’s Aged the Best?

Grail guardians; Nazis; shared lover, qualified; stakes; Hitler autograph; Scottish accent; mythology; Glover

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:51:42Read transcript
  • The secret Grail-protecting order is an appealing adventure concept.
  • Nazis remain ideal villains, with their leader appearing and the familiar expression of hatred enjoyed.
  • Father and son both having slept with Elsa is admired as a bold 1989 choice, then complicated by the actors’ age differences.
  • The warning that Nazi possession of the Grail would unleash evil sets up the stakes effectively, though the claim is teasingly questioned.
  • Hitler unexpectedly autographing the diary is a smart suspenseful joke.
  • Ford’s fake Scottish accent before meeting Connery is enjoyed.
  • The Chronicles of St. Anselm, Grail brotherhood and Templar references create interesting mythology to investigate.
  • Glover’s convincing villain turn and long screen career hold up.

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Holy Grail; His Dad; Junior and Senior; The One with Sean Connery

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:11:11Read transcript
  • Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail is proposed; avoiding an explicitly Christian title is one suggested reason it was not used.
  • Indiana Jones and His Dad is a joking alternative title.
  • Indiana Junior and Senior is another joking title.
  • The One with Sean Connery is another joking title.

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Most options already used; no all-Black cast version

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:51Read transcript
  • The franchise has already covered most options except an all-Black cast; chronological viewing order is corrected to Temple of Doom, Raiders, Last Crusade, Crystal Skull and Dial of Destiny.

Just One Oscar

Sean Connery, supporting actor

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:31:18Read transcript
  • Connery for supporting actor receives agreement despite his recent Untouchables win.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Chase belief, not prizes; pause before choosing a cup

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:57Read transcript
  • Chase what you believe in rather than treating the Grail merely as a prize; Elsa’s motives remain debated.
  • After a lifetime searching for the Grail, pause to identify the right cup instead of immediately trusting Elsa.