Finding the Holy Grail is Just Another Day for Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is by far one of the best movies in the 1980s, as well as the favorite between the four movies in the "Indiana Jones" franchise. It is hard to top the combination between writer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg, except to add Harrison Ford and Sean Connery to the mix.

"The Last Crusade" is just the right combination of action and suspense complete with finding the lost infamous Holy Grail, dealing with a group of Nazi's, some armed religious zealots and of course, a negligent father who is just a little bit too much like his son.

The "Indiana Jones" franchise started in 1981 and easily would make it to anyone's favorite movies of the 1980s list. In the series Ford plays a 1930's college professor and archeologist. From the first movie, Indy is getting into one fix after another as he tries to put together the puzzles to find hidden treasures.

During the 1980s Ford was making his way up a very long ladder into stardom. Although the Star Wars movies were highly successful, the awards and accolades were not given for acting performances, but for craftsmanship. Ford did not endear himself to the Academy in anyway with his role as Hans Solo in the Star Wars series of films. In the "Indiana Jones" series, he showed a little more of his style and charisma as fans watch him search for the Lost Ark in the first movie to the Holy Grail in "The Last Crusade".

Along the way, Ford showed in true talent in other blockbuster hits. After his performance in "Witness", he is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, as well as nominated by BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading role. His next movie, "Mosquito Coast", he is again nominated by the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.

Ford also starred in other highly acclaimed movies in the 1980s including "Blade Runner", "Frantic" and "Working Girl". By the time "The Last Crusade" came to theaters the fans were fully aware of Ford's talent in both action adventure movies and serious drama title roles. Bringing in nearly $200 million, "The Last Crusade" was one of the top grossing movies in 1989 beating out the first "Batman" and "Lethal Weapon" movies, as well as, "Back to the Future II" and "Honey I Shrunk the Kids".

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" would have been just another action flick without the talents of legendary actor Sean Connery. Connery plays Indiana Jones' father, also a professor and archeologist, who have spent his life obsessed with finding the Holy Grail. When Jones Sr. gets his chance to go after the grail, he is side tracked by the Nazi's and sends a book back to his son hoping that Indy will be able to pick up where he left off to find the treasure. As expected Indy picks up clues immediately and even rescues dear old dad in the process.

Bringing in Connery's character adds humor and provides more of an inside look into Indy's character. Connery is easily one of the finest actors of his generation. He will long be remembered for his roles as James Bond, but Connery has many starring roles to his credit including his performances in "Murder on the Orient Express", "The Wind and the Lion", "The Man Who Would Be King" and "A Bridge Too Far".

As always with Lucas, the script and the plot work perfect together and adding to the mix Spielberg's directing performance and some surprises by having late actor River Phoenix play the role of a young Indy in the first few minutes of the feature makes the movie easily the favorite movie for the 1980s.

The movie has recently become available in DVD and Blue Ray and can be purchased online from various locations including:
www.indianajones.com
www.blockbuster.com
www.amazon.com
www.hotmoviesale.com
www.bestbuy.com