The Eternal Search for the Holy Grail

While Indiana Jones movies are known for action-packed adventures and fantastic musical scores, this film has the added bonus of Sean Connery as Indiana’s dad. But should children watch this movie? In this Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I answer your viewing questions.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide

Studio Synopsis

When Indiana Jones discovers that his father has gone missing, the archaeologist soon finds himself on an adventure to find the legendary Holy Grail. Disagreeable, yet loving of earth other, Indy and his dad set out together to evade a deadly opponent and his Nazi henchmen and perhaps recover one of history’s greatest secret.

My Synopsis

In the opening scene, we see a young Indy on an adventure, trying to save a relic from landing in the wrong hands. Flash forward years later, and Indiana is on an adventure to save his father and locate the Holy Grail.  

What Parents Want to Know: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Christian Movie Review 

Language:

A character says, “thank g-d,” and the phrases “Dear g-d” and “oh g-d” are spoken. The name Jehovah is used in trying to find the Holy Grail. Someone says, “Jesus Christ,” and a person says, “That is blasphemy.”

Other language includes, “d-mn,” “holy smokes,” and “son of a,” but that is cut off before it is finished.

Violence:

Typical violence for the Indiana Jones series. Fistfights, gunfights, machine guns and explosions. Furthermore, a woman is held at gunpoint. A boat blows up, and a plane crashes and explodes.

Additionally, a man is knocked out, another man is hit on the head with a pot, and another man is thrown out a window. A man is almost strangled while another man rolls off the treads of a tank and is run over. 

Birds fly into a plane and cause it to crash.

A man shoots and kills 5 men at once. A man is beheaded and you see his head flying and rolling down steps. Another man is shot and is near death. Other people die. One man disintegrates in a scene that is gruesome. 

Rooms have been ransacked. 

Spiritual:

In a tunnel under a church, a woman finds pagan symbols.

This movie is centered around finding the cup of Christ. This cup was the one used at the Last Supper. There is talk about the type of cup Christ would have. Furthermore, while trying to find the Grail, Indiana talks about the powers of the Grail. 

One man says, “Then we’ll both die,” and the other man asks, “My soul is prepared. Is yours?”

A man asks, “Why do you seek the cup of Christ. Is it for His glory or for yours?” “God be with you in your quest.”

When a dying man drinks from the Holy Grail, he is healed.

Adult Content:

A man grabs a woman and kisses her roughly. There is implied sex. Later, the man’s father talks about how he slept with the same woman.

In another scene, a woman kisses a man and sucks on his lip.

Drinking and smoking are shown in the movie.

Other Content:

Usual Indiana Jones scary, creepy things such as snakes, skeletons, and rats. There is a scene with a growling lion. Rats attack a woman.

Furthermore, there is plenty of lying and stealing. Indiana Jones and his father argue often. 

Positive Content:

While searching for the Holy Grail, Indiana, and his father embark on an emotional quest. In the end, they realize things about each other that were unknown. There is a lot of healing in the journey.

Teachable Moments & Homeschooling with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:

This latest installment of Indiana Jones is focused on the Holy Grail. This movie implies that the cup of Christ holds special powers. Research the Holy Grail. What is it exactly?

Additionally, research movies and literature that talk about the Holy Grail especially King Arthur.

Young Indy comes upon a circus train. Research circus trains. What other movies do you see circus trains? (Dumbo)

Discuss why Elsa chose the wrong cup to give to Donovan. She knew she had chosen the wrong cup. Did she want the grail for herself and think the only way to get it was to get rid of Donovan?

Viewing Recommendations: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Christian Movie Review

The wit and humor in this installment of Indiana Jones is refreshing, and with the addition of Sean Connery, this film is just a winner in my book. Additionally, the search for the Holy Grail is fascinating, and many men have embarked on this quest. My recommended age for viewing is 12-13 and up. However, if you can skip the kissing and implied sex scene, I would say that even 10-11-year-olds can watch this film.

About the Movie

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2 hr. 7, mins.

Release Date: May 24, 1989

Genre: Action/Adventure

Director: Steven Spielberg

Producer: Robert Watts

Editor: Michael Kahn

Story by: George Lucas, Menno Meyjes

Screenplay by: Jeffrey Boam

Production company Lucasfilms, Ltd

Distributed: Paramount Pictures

Musical score: John Williams

Cast of the Movie:

Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford

Young Indy played by River Phoenix

Henry Jones, Sr. played by Sean Connery

Marcus Brody played by Denholm Elliott

Dr. Elsa Schneider played by Alison Doody

Sallah played by John Rhys-Davies

Walter Donovan played by Julian Glover

Ernst Vogel played by Michael Byrne

Adolf Hitler played by Michael Shepard

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I stream Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?

Currently, you can watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on Disney+. 

Where was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Filmed?

Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, and Petra, Jordan. The location of the final scene was filmed at the Great Temple at Petra.

How old was Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?

Sean Connery was 59, and Harrison Ford was 47. The father and son were only 12 years apart.

How old was Indy in The Last Crusade?

Indiana Jones (the character) was 39 in The Last Crusade. 

Is the Cross of Coronado an actual artifact?

No, the cross of Coronado was invented for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

What were the three challenges to retrieving the Holy Grail?

1. The Breath of God – “Only the penitent man will pass.” Indiana Jones says that a penitent man kneels before God.
2. The Word of God – “Only in the footsteps of God will he proceed.” It is in this challenge that Indiana Jones realizes that Jehovah in Latin is spelled IEHOVAH.?????
3. The Path of God – “Only in the leap from the lion’s head will he prove his worth.” Indiana Jones takes a leap of faith. 

What did Henry Jones Sr. mean when he said “Illumination” at the film’s end?

At the beginning of the movie, Henry, Sr. says, “May He who illuminated this, illuminate me,” as he is sketching the window of a church. The word illumination means “spiritual enlightenment.” It is a knowing. He is searching for truth. At the end of the film, he finds that the Holy Grail was real, it has healing powers, and therefore, Jesus Christ was real.

But as important as his finding the Grail, he found a relationship with his son along the way. When faced with saving the Holy Grail, he calls his son Indiana for the first time, and then tells Indiana to “let it go” – let go of the Grail.

Notable Quotes:

Indiana Jones : [Lecturing in class]  Archeology is the search for fact, not truth. If it’s truth you’re interested in, Dr. Tyree’s Philosophy class is right down the hall.

Indiana Jones : So forget any ideas you’ve got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and “X” never, ever marks the spot. (He will eventually find that X does mark the spot; he does follow maps to buried treasure.)

“The quest for the Grail is not archaeology. It’s a race against evil.” – Dr. Henry Jones, Sr.

“He chose…poorly.” – Grail Knight (we actually say this line on a regular basis in our house.

“For the unrighteous, the cup of life holds everlasting damnation.” – a messenger from God

“As the true Grail will bring you life, the false Grail will take it from you.” – The Knight guarding the Grail.

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