Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Steven Spielberg has scored again in his latest send-up of Saturday serials. It is just prior to World War II and the adventurous Indiana Jones embarks upon a search for his missing father and a quest for the Holy Grail, the chalice Christ used at the Last Supper. Whoever possesses The Grail will win the war and the "forces of darkness" could win. Along the way there are beautiful women, evil Nazis, plus warm and amusing interplay between Indy and Dad.

  • Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Alison Doody and River Phoenix
  • Director(s): Steven Spielberg
  • Producer(s): Lucasfilm
  • Screenwriter(s): Jeffrey Boam, George Lucas
  • Distributor: Paramount Pictures
  • Release Date: Wednesday, May 24, 1989

Featured Animal Action

In the waters beneath a Venetian church, Indiana encounters hundreds of rats. According to producer Robert Watts, "The rats received pristine care, the water was warmed and not one rat was harmed. Only fake and mechanical rats were used in the fire sequence." The illusion of seagulls causing a plane to crash was achieved by way of some fake seagulls and trick photography. The machine-gun fire near goats was created with dust pellets and sound effects. A horse fall was performed by a trained falling horse.