Richard: Last Crusade

The opening scenes for the Last Crusade are essential to the development of Indiana Jones as a character and added depth to him.  It helped allow the audience to see reasons behind why he is the way he is.  When he first sees the cross, he starts showing that he has a passion for artifacts.  We also see that he wants the cross to be put in a museum. 

Another scene that adds depth to Indiana Jones’ character is during the scene where he takes the cross.  He does not have a plan already made when his friend asks him what he is going to do.  He just magically starts taking action and it ends up working out. 

The opening scenes on the train provided a deep basis for why Jones is the way he is.  I think it was a good move on the producers and the director.  I also think the fact that we see some of his childhood in the last movie.  It was said that people wanted to know more about Indiana Jones or to know why he is the way he is, is when he lands in the snake pit, it allows the audience to see why he does not care for snakes.  This relates back to the earlier movie when he was fighting off the snakes.  This adds significance to the series as a whole because it ties other scenes from the previous Indiana Jones films together.  It also allows us to see the relevance in every small detail that is shown.  Everything has a purpose in the film in the opening scenes because its relevance is shown in his adult life. 

One scene that absolutely expressed the main theme of this movie was the scene where Indiana was in the boat.  After he chased the man and threatened him to reveal where his father was, he was questioned what his motive for finding the Holy Grail was.  Indiana responded that it was not about finding the Holy Grail anymore but about finding his father.  In this scene, we see there is a tight shot on Indiana’s face to show the seriousness of him.  At this point in the movie, it is too early to tell whether or not this is his real mission.

Another scene in the film is at the end when he tries to save the girl who is reaching for the Holy Grail.  She is more concerned with getting the grail than living life itself.  It almost appears as though she is completely wrapped up in the Holy Grail and does not realize the complete essentials of life that are surrounding her.  She fell into the cracks.  The same thing was about to happen to Indiana Jones when he reached to get the grail as well.  His father was holding on to his hand.  The proximity of these characters was really close as well.  It reflected their close relationship outside of them just holding on to each other.  His father convinced Jones to let it go and he did.  This scene was also symbolic of the relationship they wished they had with one another.  They realized they did not want to let go because they realized they missed so much of each other’s lives.  Indiana realized he truly found what he was looking for, not the Holy Grail, but his father.