Summary

· Two Movie Masters Created The Icon of Adventure

· Facts that You Didn't Know about Indiana Jones

· The Symbolic Items of Indiana Jones
 

Chapter 1
The Birth of Adventure Icon  

The Indiana Jones film series has become an iconic representation of action-adventure. The image of Indy (Indiana Jones) wearing a fedora hat and wielding a bullwhip is famous even among those who haven't seen the movies. It gained immense popularity, being the top-grossing film in the United States throughout the 1980s and achieving consecutive worldwide box office successes for three films in the series.

 

The beginning of the Indiana Jones series was spontaneous. In 1977, after completing the production of the fourth episode of Star Wars, "A New Hope," George Lucas was enjoying a vacation in Hawaii. Coincidentally, he happened to meet Steven Spielberg, who was on a break after finishing a film, in Hawaii. 

 

※ Indiana Jones 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' Poster

 

The two legends of the film industry sat down on the beach and had a conversation. During their discussion, Spielberg expressed his desire to direct a film similar to the James Bond series. In response, Lucas shared that he had a better idea, talking about his concept of reinterpreting the adventure action genre he had seen in pulp fiction magazines during his childhood, giving it a modern twist with the character of Indiana Jones. Spielberg was immediately captivated by the unique charm of Indiana Jones, which was both similar and different from the James Bond series, and promptly proposed turning it into a film. 

 

Indiana Jones was thus born in the hands of these two legends. Starting with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in 1981, followed by "Temple of Doom" in 1984, "The Last Crusade" in 1989, and "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" in 2008, the series achieved consecutive box office success, establishing a prototype of action-adventure films centered around treasure hunting. This year, the lead actor, Harrison Ford, returned as Indiana Jones at the age of 80. With the release of the fifth installment, "Dial of Destiny", it marks the grand finale of the series. 

 

※ From left to right: Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, George Lucas

 

Chapter 2

Adventure, Behind the Scene 

The Indiana Jones series has been consistently beloved for a long time. As a result, there are various behind-the-scenes stories that were not visible in the movies. 

#Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones 

While George Lucas is credited with creating Indiana Jones, it was actor Harrison Ford who breathed life into the character. Harrison Ford, with his charismatic acting style that contrasted with his intellectual image, strongly etched the character of Indiana in the minds of the audience. Ford was not originally the top choice for the role. Spielberg supported Ford's casting, but Lucas, having previously worked with Ford multiple times on Star Wars, wanted a different actor. However, when other actors stepped back due to scheduling conflicts and Spielberg continued to recommend Ford, Lucas eventually accepted. From the first installment, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," to the fifth, "Dial of Destiny," Harrison Ford has portrayed Indiana for an incredible 42 years. 

 

 

※ Indiana Jones and Harrison Ford

 

#The First Digital Filming 

The third installment of the Indiana Jones series, "The Last Crusade," released in 1989, is hailed as one of the greatest works in the franchise. The scene in which the villan, Walter Donovan, drinks from the false Holy Grail and rapidly decays and disappears was a groundbreaking sequence at the time. The process of Donovan's rapid decay was filmed in multiple stages, followed by digital editing and converting it back to film to complete the scene. This scene is regarded as one of the first instances of digital composite filming in Hollywood history. 

 

#Hidden Supporting Cast 

The first and second installments of the series had some hidden supporting cast members that were not publicly acknowledged. They were none other than the snakes and insects that added a sense of realism to the adventure scenes. In the climactic scene of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," known as the "The Well of Souls," a significant number of snakes were needed to cover the floor. Initially, around 3,000 snakes were prepared, but it fell far short of covering the set. Eventually, Spielberg brought snakes from every country possible, filling the set with a total of 7,000 snakes. In the second installment, "Temple of Doom," there were even appearances by 30,000 beetles and 50,000 cockroaches. 

 

※ Indiana Jones Confronting a Cobra in the "The Well of Souls" Scene

Chapter 3 

Symbols of Indiana Jones 

There are things that endure in the hearts of fans just as much as the behind-the-scenes stories of the movies. It's the props used by the movie characters. Indiana Jones is one of the most popular characters in Hollywood. In 2017, he surpassed James Bond (ranked 2nd) to claim the top spot among Empire magazine's Top 100 Greatest Movie Characters. In the United States, there was even a trend of fan pages dedicated to Indiana Jones props, such as 'Indy Gear.'  

☞ Check out the Empire magazine's Top 100 Greatest Movie Characters 

 

 

※ Empire's Top-Ranked Movie Characters (Source: Empire online)

 

Indiana Jones has iconic items that symbolize his character. The fedora hat, leather jacket, and bullwhip are among them. The fedora hat, in particular, is synonymous with Indiana. It's rare to see Indiana without his iconic fedora hat in the movies. The brown felt fedora implies that Indiana is about to embark on an adventure. The hat has since become an iconic symbol representing the character's adventurous spirit. The leather jacket and whip also serve as emblematic items for Indiana Jones. They express his rugged personality while showcasing the practicality of a resourceful strategist. 

 

※ Indiana's Fedora Hat and Leather Jacket

 

Not only does Indiana wear significant items, but there are also items that symbolize crucial plot elements in the movies. One prominent example is the Holy Grail from the third installment, "The Last Crusade." The scene featuring the Holy Grail in "The Last Crusade" is considered one of the most iconic moments in the Indiana Jones series. In a climactic battle, Indiana uses the power of the Holy Grail to save his father, Henry Jones. Afterwards, as the temple collapses and the Grail falls, Indiana's father tells him, "Indiana, let it go," leaving a lasting impression on fans at the time. 

"Do you want to be an archaeologist? Then get out of the library."
Indiana Jones (in the 'Dial of Destiny')

 

This quote from Indiana Jones in the final installment of the Indiana Jones series, "Dial of Destiny," resonates with us as if he's speaking to those who hesitate before starting something. It can be difficult to take action before having complete certainty. However, as Indiana suggests, sometimes we need to go out and face things head-on, one step at a time, to gain confidence. His fearless spirit in the face of adventure will continue to have a significant impact on society.  

To commemorate the final series of Indiana Jones, the Eland Museum has prepared an Indiana Jones exhibition. The museum's collection will be displayed at the Kensington Hotel Yeouido from July 8th for a month. From the iconic fedora hat worn by Indiana to the Holy Grail that saved his father in "The Last Crusade," various props from the Indiana Jones series will be exhibited. As a museum dedicated to culture and art, Eland Museum possesses a diverse collection of Hollywood movie props, much like Indiana collecting ancient artifacts. Don't miss out on the fascinating stories of various cultural and artistic pieces we will introduce in the future!