Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) Review

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)

The Last Crusade follows Indiana Jones, who, after his father goes missing, sets out for Italy looking for answers, stumbling upon the map to the Holy Grail, where he must race to beat the Nazis, who are hot on it’s trail. 

Now, while Raiders will always be the best Indiana Jones movie, there’s no doubt that The Last Crusade will always be my personal favorite. I mean, what’s not to love? Sean Connery as the cold but wide eyed Henry Jones, the quest for the holy grail, and those dastardly Nazis returning as the villains, along with another fucking beautiful score from John Williams that perfectly encapsulates the importance and levity finding the grail brings to the Jones family. 

After such a dark middle chapter, this feels like a return to the franchise’s roots with a lighter tone, that still knows how to take itself serious when necessary, especially as the film returns to more of a biblical conquest as we’re also introduced to Indy’s dad, whose quest for the grail has been a lifelong affair. The importance of the Holy Grail also can’t be stated enough. Naturally being one of the most sought after historical artifacts ever, it adds such a levity and scale that puts Last Crusade on the same level as Raiders with it’s mythical feel and significance. It’s no longer about archeology at this point, this is a battle against good and evil, and the story reflects such themes. 

Crusade boasts another amazing cast as well, starring River Phoenix, Kevork Malikyan, Denholm Elliot, Michael Byrne, John Rhys-Davies, Julian Glover, Alison Doody, Sean Connery, and Harrison Ford. Ford is truly magnificent, once again, as he and Connery share such amazing chemistry together that allows Ford to show off his more sarcastic and witty sides, while Connery gets the chance to be his suave self, with a hint of giddy enthusiasm to boot that is a sure riot in the way it annoys Indiana. 

The Last Crusade, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a historically thrilling and super entertaining “ending” for the Indy franchise, taking us back to it’s roots while making a true legend out of Indiana, as he rides off into the sunset (but not for the last time!). 

8.9/10