The Importance of the Relationship Between Father and Son
The Last Crusade was not just another action-adventure story about Indiana Jones, but rather a film that explored the depths of the complicated relationship between a father and son who have lost each other over decades of differences. Director Steven Spielberg stated in an interview for the Empire retrospective on the film that “the Grail that everybody seeks could be a metaphor for a son seeking reconciliation with a father and a father seeking reconciliation with a son.” This theme is what made the film stand out from other entries in the franchise and gave it an emotional high.
Sean Connery’s Show-Stealing Performance
Nearly 50 minutes into the film, the audience is properly introduced to Sean Connery’s role as Henry Jones Sr., Indiana’s father. This build-up helps instill the absence Indy felt from his estranged parent, and as a result, Connery’s performance upstaged Harrison Ford. However, the film doesn’t focus solely on upstaging Indiana Jones, as it gave a new player plenty to do.
Henry Sr. may be the more academic type compared to his son, but he still has an adventurous spirit and smarts that make him an integral part of the film’s dynamic. Throughout the film, Connery’s character interacts with Indy in ways that are both comedic and heartfelt, and their adventure together ultimately leads to Indy gaining a better understanding of his father and the two reconciling.
The Importance of a Personal Touch in Filmmaking
The Last Crusade’s success owes much to Spielberg’s desire to add a personal touch to the film. An absentee father is a frequent element in Spielberg’s movies of the ’70s and ’80s, inspired by his own parental experience. This is evident in the film’s father and son relationship and the addition of the healing property of the Holy Grail as a metaphor for reconciliation. Spielberg’s choice to make the artifact in Indy’s third chapter be a metaphor for reconciliation is why the finale is an emotional high for the series.
Editorial: The Importance of Personal Touch in Blockbuster Films
The Last Crusade is an example of how adding a personal touch to a big-budget blockbuster can make the story more relatable and human. While action and adventure are integral elements of the Indiana Jones franchise, the films that stand out are the ones that add an emotional depth that resonates with audiences on a personal level. This technique is not limited to Spielberg’s work but can be applied to any film that seeks to connect with its audience on a deeper level.
Advice: The Importance of Balancing Action and Emotion in Storytelling
For aspiring filmmakers, it is crucial to remember the importance of balancing action and emotion in storytelling. While it may be tempting to rely solely on thrilling set pieces and action sequences, a well-rounded story that connects with audiences emotionally will have a more significant impact. Adding a personal touch to a film allows for a deeper level of engagement and can make the story unforgettable.
<< photo by Ben Lockwood >>