“Indiana Jones”, a look back at the cult saga of the most famous archaeologist

This is one of the most anticipated moments of 76^e Cannes film festival. On May 18, the fifth installment of Indiana Jones, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, will be screened out of competition at Cannes. The opportunity to return to the four episodes of the cult saga, which arrived on our screens more than 40 years ago.

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

The most famous of archaeologists was born in the minds of two movie giants: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. They are the ones who imagine the character of Indiana Jones. Turned down to direct an episode of james bondSpielberg decided to join forces with his friend and creator of Star Wars : Indiana Jones was born.

The popular success of the film (more than 6 million admissions in France), is explained first of all by its tone. Epic, funny and a bit irreverent, this feature film is above all carried by its main character, his hat, his whip and his leather jacket. Harrison Ford embodies an intrepid and seductive archaeologist, embarked on an adventure that will take him to the four corners of the world. He must prevent the Nazis from seizing the Ark of the Covenant, which would allow them to win the war for sure. A story punctuated by encounters and twists and turns, which take the adventurer to Peru, Egypt or even Nepal.

This first Indiana Jones opus is also cult scenes that will mark the spirits. The opening sequence, where Harrison Ford emerges from the shadows after disarming his opponent with a whiplash, is legendary, as is this chase with a giant ball in a temple. And then, how to evoke the essential ingredients of the saga without mentioning its music? Musician John Williams composed the soundtrack, which entered pop culture. These few notes have since been commonly accepted as the quintessential adventure music.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Three years later, the saga returns with a second episode, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, much darker than the previous film. It is a prequel, since the action takes place a year before the first opus. The viewer discovers a new ingredient in the saga: fear.

This time, Indiana Jones hunts down a cult, galvanized by the powers of a mysterious sacred stone. Accompanied by a magazine leader (Kate Capshaw) and a little boy (Jonathan Ke Quan, the Oscar-winning actor in 2023 for a “best supporting role” in the film Everything Everywhere All at Once), the archaeologist is embarked on a terrifying adventure. The characters will have to do with the high priest Mola Ram, who carries out human sacrifices and who martyrizes children reduced to slavery.

This second part of the saga is, once again, a popular success. Audiences discover that none of the episodes are alike, both in plot and style, although the essential ingredients ofIndiana Jonesare always together.

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)

In this third episode, a new character appears in the Indiana Jones galaxy: Henry Jones, the hero’s father, played by Sean Connery. It is precisely this that the archaeologist must save in the film. Imprisoned by the Nazis, he was on the hunt for the Holy Grail. The two men meet again and go in search of the sacred object in an adventure punctuated by betrayals and adventures.

The scenario of this third part contains another essential ingredient of the saga. Behind an action film appearance hides in reality a more complex narration and reflections. This episode is about the parent-child relationship and the difficult journey to adulthood.

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008)

Twenty years after the last episodeIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was presented out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. The Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas trio is back, but with a different scenario from the first three films.

This time, the action takes place in the 1950s, since Indiana Jones has aged. Times, too, have changed: the enemy is no longer embodied by the Nazis but by the Soviets. Indiana Jones is in search of a mysterious crystal skull, which is rumored to belong to aliens. For the first time, Indiana Jones adopts the codes of science fiction of series B. The reception reserved for the film is not good, many fans judging that the film is not faithful to the spirit of the saga .

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Forty-two years after the release of the first part, Indiana Jones returns for the fifth time on the screen. Harrison Ford, 80, is still in the game, but without Steven Spielberg, who gave up directing the film in favor of James Mangold.

The action of this last part takes place at the end of 1979, in the middle of the Cold War. Indiana Jones goes in search of the dial of destiny, an object that can change the course of history, and can allow the Soviet Union to beat the United States in the space race.

Alongside Harrison Ford, we find actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge (director of the series flea bag) and Mads Mikkelsen. They will climb the steps of Cannes on May 18, the date of the screening of the film at the Festival.