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Indiana Jones is a fictional character, a bullwhip-toting archaeologist with an overdeveloped fear of snakes, played by Harrison Ford in a series of films by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Jones is modelled after the strong-jawed heroes of the pulp magazines and matinee serials that Lucas and Spielberg enjoyed as kids.
Born Henry Jones Jr. to Scottish-born medievalist Henry Jones Sr. and his wife Anna on July 1, 1899, in Princeton, New Jersey, he accompanied his father on his travels throughout Europe, where he learnt to speak, read, and write more than a dozen languages. Henry Jr. adopted the name of his beloved dog Indiana for himself, insisting he be referred to as Indiana Jones.
Jones joined the Belgian army in 1916 in order to participate in the First World War. He was taken prisoner by the Germans, escaped, encountered Mata Hari, worked as an intelligence officer, took ill, and was treated by Albert Schweitzer, vied with Ernest Hemingway for the affections of a young nurse, and as a translator working on the Treaty of Versailles saw the war come to its conclusion but lay down the groundwork for a second conflict.
Sometime after the war, Jones returned to the United States, where he studied archaeology in Chicago under a Professor Ravenwood. At the same time, he became romantically involved with the Professor's daughter Marion. Jones abruptly left the Ravenwoods in 1926 and did not contact them for 10 years. He divided his time between teaching and archaeological expeditions, including a journey to China and India where he faced the gangster Lao Che and the followers of the cult of Kali. He was eventually contacted by the United States government to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. He continued to take on infrequent missions for the government over the ensuing years. In 1938, Indy rescued his father from the Nazis and became embroiled in the search for the Holy Grail.
When last seen in 1993, Jones was living in New York City with his daughter and her family. Sporting an eyepatch and cane, he was stopping anyone within earshot to regale them with tales of his exploits.
The film series includes:
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) where a 13-year-old
- Indy was played by River Phoenix
- A television series (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles) aired from 1992 to 1993, with the 17-year-old Indy played by Sean Patrick Flanery, 93-year-old Indy by George Hall, and 10-year-old Indy by Corey Carrier. This inspired a number of made-for-TV and made-for-video movies featuring Flanery as young Indy.
There is also a series of original paperback novels about the adventures of Indiana Jones other than those in the films, and another series of novels about Young Indiana Jones for younger readers.
Various video and computer games have also been produced. The games include:
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (adventure game)
- Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (also a comic book of the same name)
- Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine
- Rumors spread for years that a fourth film in the series would be produced featuring Ford, Lucas, and Spielberg, but the trio did not confirm them until 2002. Production is set to begin in 2004 for a 2005 release date.
| Pick your favorite Indiana Jones Movie |
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
from Paramount Studio.
My opinion of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade could be deemed slightly biased. It is the first film I ever saw in theaters and it's also the first movie I purchased on video. I even own the same, worn-down, beat-up copy (and look upon it even more fondly than the widescreen edition, for... Indiana Jones Gift Set
from Paramount Studio.
One of the greatest trilogies of all time, the INDIANA JONES films have stood the test of time to become classic cinema favourites. Steven Spielberg teamed up with longtime friend George Lucas to create one of the greatest action adventure films of all time with RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK! The premise... Raiders of the Lost Ark
from Paramount Studio.
I still remember the rush I felt from seeing Raiders when it first came out! Now, twenty years later, I've learned something else interesting about it. Raiders turns out to be virtually a remake of a French film from 1964, That Man from Rio (L'homme de Rio) by de Broca. Reviews occasionally... Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
from Paramount Studio.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom has caught a LOT of flack over the years since its first release. It's hard to say whether or not the criticism has died down a bit; the movie sure does seem to have its fan base. Admittedly, not all the stated faults are unfair or have no justification; this is... Indiana Jones - Giftset (Widescreen Edition)
from Paramount Studio.
One of the greatest trilogies of all time, the INDIANA JONES films have stood the test of time to become classic cinema favourites. Steven Spielberg teamed up with longtime friend George Lucas to create one of the greatest action adventure films of all time with RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK! The premise... Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 16 - Tales of Innocence
from Paramount Studio.
The first half is a hoot the whole way through, it has to be the funniest Young Indy episode. The ending is great; I remember being surprised when I first watched it on TV, so I won't give it away. I'll just say Giulietta isn't as naive as she seemed. To the second half. This one wasn't supposed... Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 10 - The Phantom Train of Doom
from Paramount Studio.
All right, I'm biased. When I watched the whole series on TV I was only about 7, so my memories of most of the episodes are all but nonexistent. "Phantom Train" is one of the exceptions, and the most vivid in my mind. So naturally I enjoyed watching it again, even more than the others. It's great as... Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 6 - Spring Break Adventure
from Paramount Studio.
I would have given this 5 stars, because I really did enjoy it very much. But I can't quite get over the fact that for much of the first half Indy whines and follows his girlfriend around reluctantly, as she initiates all the adventure. I can understand that, at 16, Indy isn't going to be exactly... Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 20 - Mystery of the Blues
from Paramount Studio.
this is a very good indy story, and it even has a special appearance by harrison ford. the movie is the story he tells to an indian guy about when he learned to play the saxophone. a good story with a part about jazz where indy joins up with sydney bechet. the other part is for the action and... Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Chapter 18 - Treasure of the Peacock's Eye
from Paramount Studio.
I expected a version of Indy's adventures with a lower rating... Treasure of the Peacock's Eye is for 5 year olds! I can start by saying that it lacks adventure, action and comedy. Continuing, it has no real drama, has a terrible ending, and isn't Indian Jones material. If you want to see for...
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