'Indiana Jones,' past and present

EXCLUSIVE

Is "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which hits stores today on DVD and Blu-ray, the final adventure for the wise-cracking (and whip-cracking) archaeologist? It sure seemed like it when the movie arrived in theaters in May but then earlier this month a surprisingly enthused Harrison Ford told us that George Lucas is "in think mode" on a suitable story for a fifth Indy film. That's not sitting well with everyone; there's a vocal percentage of fans who think the 21st century revisitation of the great screen hero tainted the earlier glory days of the franchise. I have to wonder if director Steven Spielberg, who certainly has plenty of other projects awaiting him, is really in the mood to take on another Indy project after the backlash this time around, which got pretty personal and malicious, especially during a recent "South Park" spoof. Only time will tell ...

To mark the release today of "Crystal Skull," we bring you two fairly rare movie-set images, one old and one new. Above, a photo shot during an early scene in the classic 1981 film that started it all, "Raiders of the Lost Ark." That chap in the tan coat standing between the camera and the "stunt" Indy is Douglas Slocombe, the film's acclaimed director of photography, whose other credits included "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and one of my personal favorites, "The Lion in Winter." Slocombe, the story goes, never used a light meter on the set of "Raiders," preferring to trust his own eye instead. It was a good instinct: The Brit picked up his third Oscar nomination for his work on the action classic.

The photo below is from last year during the making of "Crystal Skull" and shows Ford, enjoying a cool drink and light moment with Spielberg. In the background there, wearing the white shirt and blue jeans, is Janusz Kaminski, the director of photography for "Crystal Skull" and a two-time Oscar winner (he won for Spielberg's two World War II masterpieces, "Saving Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List"). Leave it to two cinematographers to know where to stand when a camera catches a bit of history ... 

   

Thanks to John Singh at Lucasfilm for finding these two great images and sharing them with the Hero Complex. Both photos are property of Lucasfilm, all rights reserved, and they are used here with the company's permission. To learn about all the extras included on Paramount Home Entertainment's DVD and Blu-ray of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," check out the official Indiana Jones website.

-- Geoff Boucher

Comments

[wilberforce]

I think Indiana should be in at least one more movie. I love the guy no matter how old he gets.. I wish he were my GRANDPA

[Dave]

They should just let the Indy Franchise Die. The 4th Movie wrecked it for fans. I think Harrison is a great actor, and the Lucas, Spielberg combo makes great movies. They should come up with something new. I'm sure they both have great ideas that Harrison would play well in.

[Moon]

Speak for yourself, the 4th movie definitely did NOT wreck it for this fan. After multiple viewings, I'd say it is a near perfect fit for the Indy franchise. I loved Indy 4. More please!

[Nick Fortunato]

People either liked it or hated it. I know enough people liked it because it did very well at the box office. I thought it was a great revisit to the Indy trilogy.

[NICKDOLL]

Just watched Indy 4 again, this time on DVD. I really can't understand why it is getting all this backlash. I'm one of the biggest Raiders fans there is, and I love Crystal Skull (granted, it is the weakest Indy film). I pray for a 5th one to suitably tie up the franchise and send Indy out with a bang.

[JT7335]

That's an AWESOME photo from Raiders. How come set photography isn't that exciting and candid anymore. Everything feels posed nowadays. These are very cool, thanks for finding them! And I agree -- the more Indy the better as far as I'm concerned. I just don't think most people, and yes I would probably include myself in this, could ever possibly accept an Indy film for what it is, not what we would WISH it to be instead. Lucas faced that problem with Phantom Menace, I'm surprised he was willing to expose himself to it agian. Nothing he or Steven Spielberg could ever do would be "as good" as the earlier ones.

Come on, a rolling boulder? Riding across the ocean on a submarine? Marion being pushed into the tomb and not even getting a scratch? An ark that emits a beam of light that kills all the Nazis? Taking a raft out of an airplane, surviving the fall, navigating IN the raft down a mountain then shooting the rapids IN THE SAME RAFT? Sheesh. And people think a lead-lined refrigerator being blown a few thousand yards is preposterous?

Have they SEEN an Indiana Jones movie?!??!!

[lewissalem]

I would love to see an Indy 5.

If what Hollywood went by was the opinion of Internet "fans," we'd all be eagerly lining up for Snakes on a Plane II.

[Tim]

I am tired of people bashing this film. I watched the blu ray the other night and I LOVE IT. I have to admit I was worried if Harrison Ford could still be that guy after all these years. but he was awesome. And seeing him as Indiana Jones up on screen after all these years just brought me so much joy.

Mr Speilberg, Mr. Lucas, please make another.

[Pat C]

I just bought crystal skull, and im looking forward to watching it. Im trying to get peeps i know who dissed it in the theaters to watch it agian with me. I keep telling them there is so much you missed the 1st time! At first i thought the aliens were a lil over the top, but hey he had a knight form the crusades in the 3rd. I love how he plays with Indys age and the setting in the 50s. And the songs on the soundtrack classics! I say do a 5th Ford can still pull off a cool ass action hero. How bout something with greek mythology? And add the states in there! I look forward to Indy 5, cross your fingers, GO PHILLIES!

[theultimateswordofthejedi]

look...Indy 4 was okay
It wasn't bad, like everyone says how preposterous it was, not if you've seen every Indy movie.
and it was a 50's product (they worried about nukes, Russians, and aliens) get a grip, ppl...its the era. As for Indy 5, George Lucas has repeatedly stated its NOT passing to Shia LaBeuf, they are keeping Harrison Ford for it (he shoulda hired Hayden Christiansen, he woulda made a better junior!) other than that, the movie's okay. the Indy franchise has done well.
While you are at the writing table Mr. Lucas, please persuade Harrison Ford he NEEDS to come back as HAN SOLO
just once
Thank you.
still waiting for Indy 5, still looking for a job at LucasFilm.

[Zacharias]

No doubt there is an undeniable change when you transition from the first three to Crystal Skull - but having said that it was change in the first place that brought Jones to the screen, they walked a huge line with that movie and it no doubt was a sucsess and with that there is BOUND to be change, it was inevitable. The choices that were made in the film were BOLD but that is really the spirit of Indiana Jones - believing the unbelievable, sitting down to it and having an open mind to the events happening.
This new movie did something VERY interesting with the idea of little green men, it wasnt every other, Aliens attack the world, movie, it was what if they were a part of this civilazation and created it.
It held its own and it deserves respect for that, 18 years is hard to come back from

[Dennis Bruhn]

If you really love "Indiana Jones" you can't accept these lousy "Skull"-Movie. "Last Crusade" is still the end... ahhh great...!

[Groundbreaker]

I think that they should just stop now. I mean, what's next? Indiana Jones goes to Viet Nam at age 60?
If someone makes another action film for Harrison Ford, it should be Riddley Scott and he should film the long-awaited Blade Runner Sequel!