Today’s Prayer Focus
Copyright, Paramount Pictures
MOVIE REVIEW

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

MPA Rating: PG-13-Rating (MPA) for unspecified reasons.

Reviewed by: Daniel Ball
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: 14 and up
Genre: Action Adventure
Length: 2 hr. 7 min.
Year of Release: 1989
USA Release: May 24, 1989 (wide)
Copyright, Paramount Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE
Relevant Issues
Bible Archaeology
Learn about archeology and the Bible

LEGEND—Was Jesus Christ only a legend? Answer

MIRACLES—Has science disproved the miracles associated with Jesus Christ? Answer

ARCHAEOLOGY—Have any burial sites been found for the people involved in Christ’s life and death? Answer

Is Jesus Christ a man, or is he God? Answer

Jesus Christ: His Identity, Life, Death andResurrection
Featuring Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Julian Glover
Director Steven Spielberg
Producer Paramount Pictures
Lucasfilm
Robert Watts, George Lucas, Frank Marshall, Arthur F. Repola
Distributor Distributor: Paramount Pictures Corporation. Trademark logo.Paramount Pictures

In this final installment of the famous trilogy, Steven Spielberg has executed yet another blockbuster and added another terrific narrative to the life of Indiana Jones. Spielberg co-collaborator John Williams once again provides a great (not his best) score.

Professor Henry Jones “Junior” (Harrison Ford) and newcomer Henry Senior (Sean Connery) team up to recover another ancient relic from the Bible. This time, they search for the Cup of Christ. Nazis are once again the bad guys throughout the film, as they race against our heroes to claim the Holy Grail for “Der Fuhrer.”

The “mature” content is typical for a Spielberg film. The profanity is mild. In one instance, Indy uses the Lord’s name in vain, but is slapped by the elder Jones “for blasphemy.” Implied fornication is present in two scenes (one is from a conversation), and the violence is fairly intense (decapitation, bloody bullet piercings, and rapid/disgusting aging). Violence is the key category that warrants caution.

While worldly filth pollutes the movie, it’s redeemed by the challenges of faith that the characters face; challenges that are similar to our own. In one scene, Indy is forced to cross a ravine where there’s no bridge. The only way to get across the ravine is to take a “leap of faith.” This PERFECTLY illustrates how we should trust God. Many youth ministers use this scene to show their groups.

Parents: If possible, see this movie on network stations; otherwise, know what your child can handle, if they plan on watching it. All others: The amount of challenges posed to the characters as well as the Christians in the audience make this a much healthier movie than “double-naught seven.”

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” is a welcome return to the formula that worked so well in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” After the unevenness of “Temple of Doom” (which, in despite of its flaws, I think was a good, but not great, installment), Indiana Jones is back, seeking an ancient artifact (which has been the subject of numerous legends, novels and motion pictures). George Lucas returns to write the story, as does Steven Spielberg to direct, and, of course, John Williams to compose the score. It just would NOT be an Indiana Jones movie without Spielberg directing, Williams composing and Ford starring. Who does not get nostalgic when listening to the iconic Raiders March composed by Williams for the first film and used as Indy’s theme throughout the franchise?

Interestingly enough, The Raiders March and Marion’s Theme for the first movie were two separate themes originally, but Steven Spielberg liked them so much he suggested that Williams combine them into one, and thus the iconic End Credits music for the first film was born.

The plot of this film is so well known, I won’t go into it; only to say that casting 007 himself Sean Connery was a stroke of genius. This adds to the comedy factor of the film, and gives it a gentle balance of seriousness and good old-fashioned fun.

Biblically speaking, the film has plenty of violence which is mostly bloodless but slightly more intense than the previous two installments (but nowhere near as gruesome as THAT scene in “Temple of Doom”), mild-to-moderate profanity (including several unnecessary profane uses of God and Jesus” Names) and a brief scene where fornication is once again implied. With that in mind, I recommend the first and third installments for discerning viewers. I grew up watching this film along with “Raiders Of The Lost Ark,” so I am biased towards them.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
D, age 30 (USA)
Positive—This is a great movie. I’ve always been a fan of the Indiana Jones movies, this one is by far the best. But, I cannot recommend this movie without warning you of the contents. There are several curse words including Indy taking The Lord’s name in vain (for which he is instantly rebuked). There is an implied sexual situation with Indy and Elsa and there is some talk that implies a sexual situation with Elsa, but nothing is ever seen.

The violence is normal for a PG-13 movie. It’s intense and you do see blood, but this is an action movie so what else do you expect? After all that is said I highly recommend this movie if you’re looking for an intense action movie that isn’t too violent and has very little profanity and sex and is still an all around great film!
My Ratings: [Better than Average / 5]
David, age 19
Comments from young people
Positive—Indiana Jones has always been a big time movie franchise to me, even more than that of Star Wars. Indy is my kind of guy, tough and forceful when need be but very lovable and heroic also. In this movie, he takes on the quest to regain the Holy Grail from the Nazis. As you know, the Holy Grail is the cup that Jesus Christ drank from at the Last Supper and the cup that caught his blood at the crucifixion. It exists and its powers are far greater than anyone imagines. So Hitler wants it to became immortal and rule the world and Indy is sent in to find it before Hitler does.

The Movie is great! Harrison Ford is the only actor on Earth who can play this character. No one else has his charisma, his charm, and his intellect to take on this character. I loved him in the first two but in this one his performance beats even that of his first time wearing the fedora in “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Casting Sean Connery as Indy’s father is brilliant. The two in the movie have a special relationship that captures the audience attention.

As for the Christian aspect of this movie, I would say that Indy represents good and of course the Nazi’s represents evil. Indy at first doesn’t believe in Christ but after experiencing many hardships, he finally takes God into his soul and trusts in his and with God’s help he defeats the Nazi meance and saves his father thanks to the Holy cup’s awesome power. “You must believe boy, you must.” are the words uttered by Jones, Sr. in the movie. And that is the message of this film. Good vs. Evil. Christ vs. Satan. Overall, this is one of my top ten favorite films of all time and my favorite Indiana Jones movie. Once again the creative talents of the director Spielberg, the actor Harrison Ford, and the writer George Lucas create a story that is not only fun to watch, but great to experience over and over again.

I HIGHLY recommend this movie. I can’t wait for the DVD version to come out as of course it will be packed with special features. Oh and one more thing. Another Indiana Jones movie is in the works. Dr. Jones is not done yet!
My Ratings: [Average / 5]
Josh Langston, age 18
Positive—Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a wonderful movie with great acting performances by Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. The search for the Holy Grail just goes to show that even people in show business acknowledge that there is a God. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good adventure and a good movie.
My Ratings: [Average / 4½]
Michael Rohlfing, age 14
Positive—Another Spielberg classic! This is a hilarious and action-packed movie. This is an extremely well made movie, with great acting, cool action scenes, good story, and real good effects. Some mild language and typical violence for a action/PG-13 movie. Lots of Christianity looks at things, like when they look for the cup Jesus drank from. (Proving that there was a Jesus.) I loved it. WARNING: at the end, the bad guy drinks from a cup and turns into a skeleton quite disgustingly and graphically. So beware with children.
Davie Powers, age 14

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