Indiana Jones Trilogy [1984]

Description

As with George Lucas' other movie franchise, there's a vein of mysticism running through Indiana Jones' big-screen adventures. Watching the trilogy back to back in this box set it's possible to unravel the chronology and chart the spiritual journey of our hero: the idealistic Young Indy ("It belongs in a museum", implores River Phoenix in the opening escapade of The Last Crusade ) grows up to become a cynical fortune-hunter seen trading archaeological treasures with Chinese gangsters at club "Obi-Wan" in The Temple of Doom . From there we follow his path to redemption via three mystical religious objects: respectively Hindu (the Shankara stones in Temple of Doom ), Jewish (the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders ), and Christian (the Holy Grail itself in Last Crusade ). But that's just the subtext. Along the way, this knight-errant archaeologist undertakes improbable adventures (featuring spiders, snakes, rats, insects and Nazis galore), rescues damsels in distress (even when they don't want to be rescued, like Kate Capshaw in Temple of Doom ) and still finds time to bond with his dad (Sean Connery, in one of cinema's great cameo roles as Dr Jones Sr.). Steven Spielberg revels in Lucas' recreation of 1930s cliffhanger serials, infusing every scene with kinetic energy and infectious enthusiasm, and creating any number of iconic sequences that have become touchstones of cinematic history (the opening of Raiders has been parodied innumerable times in everything from chocolate commercials to The Simpsons ). Director and producer are more than ably assisted by regular composer John Williams, whose swashbuckling Korngold-inspired "Raiders" theme casts Harrison Ford as a modern-day Errol Flynn. Although a fourth movie has long been promised, this trilogy plays like a self-contained whole that leaves nothing wanting: from the witty dialogue and breathtaking action choreography to the near-perfect casting and lovingly detailed period production design, this is popular movie-making at its very peak. -- Mark Walker All three of Steven Spielberg's films featuring the exploits of adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) are collected together in a box set. In 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', Indy goes in search of the original Commandment tablets, while in 'The Temple of Doom' it is the sacred Sankara stone he seeks. 'The Last Crusade' sees Indy off once again, this time to find his father (Sean Connery), who has vanished while looking for the Holy Grail. Review: Indiana Jones Boxset - Many thanks for the Indiana Jones Trilogy boxset - I'm really pleased with it. All the films are absolute classics! Review: SIMPLY THE BEST TRILOGY EVER! - Well whatever people may think about Indiana Jones there is no denying that this is the best trilogy bar none! Harrison Ford was perfectly cast as the action hero with a smile! He is far better than James Bond as IJ humour is much funnier than JB, his action sequences are more exciting and plus, IJ does have fears! He hates snakes! Very rarely do we see a hero with a phobia! These are classic action/comdey/romance films that are pure class. My favourite is Last Crusade as it stars Sean Connery in one of the best cameos EVER! We also get to see the late great River Phoenix as a young Indiana and we see how it all started! Idiana dodges Nazi's, snakes, bullets, huge rolling rocks, cult mind control, treaturous women, bombs, spiders, demons from the Ark of the Covonet, and ancient curses from the Holy Grail! It's all rip-roaring stuff with a instantly recognisable musical score (better than star wars!)some real belly laughs, great action, and some dark and spooky spells and curses! Perfect for the winter nights with a nice mug of hot chocolate, for you to curl up with on the sofa! A must have for every video collection. One thing I will say is, it should be brought out on DVD! Even so, 5 stars just doesn't do it justice! (have you noticed that Harrison Ford is in the two greatest trilogy's of all time! Star Wars and Indiana Jones! Hmmm...bizarre!)