Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade made the brilliant decision of introducing Indy’s father Henry Jones Sr. to the mix. Henry helped his son chase after the Holy Grail and keep it out of the Nazis’ hands. Along the way, they rediscover their relationship and address how they became estranged in the first place. Henry Jones Sr. was played by legendary actor Sean Connery, and his chemistry with Harrison Ford was easily one of the best elements of the entire franchise.
The backbone of the film was the father/son story that the two characters shared. It certainly showed a new side of Indiana Jones that viewers did not see in the first two films. The Jones men appeared to be vastly different people but were very alike in many more ways than they were willing to admit. Throughout the film, the characters realize how important they are to one another and earn each other’s respect. Viewers can see how Indiana Jones turned out the way he did by seeing his adventure with his father.
How Henry Jones Sr. Impacts The Last Crusade
First and foremost, Henry Jones Sr. was an expert on the Holy Grail. When Walter Donovan approaches Indy about finding it, Indy suggests he has the wrong Jones. This is when Jones finds out that his father is missing and springs into action to find him. Before viewers even see Henry for the first time, it is clear that Indy has a fractured relationship with him based on how he recounts Henry to Elsa Schneider, memorably stating that his father’s students describe Henry as “Atila the Professor.”
When Indy finally finds Henry, he turns out to be a strong ally in many respects other than simply being an expert on the Grail. Henry’s thinking process, a little bit slower than Indy’s “making this up as I go” mentality, helps the pair get out of a few sticky situations. This is how viewers see that Indy and his father are two sides of the same coin. Neither one would admit it, but the backbone of their relationship was their similarities despite their vastly different methods of execution. They may operate like polar opposites, but it is clear that Indy picked up a thing or two from his father over the years. Other than perhaps Marion Ravenwood, no other character in the franchise had a profound impact on Indiana Jones as Henry did.
Henry Jones Sr.’s Influence Over Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones has a strained relationship with his father. He always calls him “sir” and hates it when his dad calls him “Junior.” Indy holds a grudge against Henry, as his father always seemed to prioritize work over him and his mother. The prologue shows a flashback to 12-year-old Indy, who wasn’t able to approach his father when he needed help. Henry doesn’t have the same assessment of his parenting skills, but throughout the film, he comes to learn that he could have been a better dad. Indy clearly has this in mind during Kingdom of the Crystal Skull when he finds out that Mutt Williams is his son, as Indy was sure not to have his past with Henry repeat itself with Mutt. Thus, this adventure was very important for the future of Indiana Jones as it had a profound effect on Indy that affected his life choices down the line.
It is also clear that Henry’s quick wit is something that he passed on to Indy. A prime example would be when Henry uses his umbrella to alert a flock of seagulls toward a Nazi plane to get it to crash. Indy looks on in disbelief but has a moment of clarity that shows he’s impressed and proud of his father. Throughout the franchise, Indy has been in tough situations and used his quick wit to get out of them, albeit with messier methods than his father would use. The difference between the two is that Indy is clearly a better fighter than his father, but Henry’s quick thinking meant he didn’t have to be as rough around the edges as his son was. Seeing how the two characters mirrored each other was a treat for fans, and it made them very relatable characters. Many viewers could relate to the relationship between Indy and Henry, which allows the film to hit on a more human level.
Indy and His Father Repair Their Estranged Relationship
Over the course of their adventure, the Joneses rediscover their relationship. This does not come easily, as there is much bickering, one-upping, and strong differences in opinion. They each have their moments where they look at each other in admiration but do not want to show it. As they get closer to the Grail, they realize that they care for one another a lot more than it originally appeared to be. In the canyon battle, Henry was overcome with emotion after believing Indy to be dead when the tank went over the cliff, so he hugged Indy tight. It is clear that Indy had longed for a hug from his father his whole life, no matter how brief it was.
When Walter Donovan shoots Henry to get Indy to find the Grail inside the Grail temple, Indy faces the three trials that his father prepared him for. He even takes a leap of faith that he normally would not do, but he does now because he must save his father. As the adventure ends, and they ride off into the sunset, it is clear that their relationship has been repaired for the better. While Henry does not appear in the two Indiana Jones films, Indy is always reminded of his father fondly. No other film in the franchise comes close to hitting this emotional apex, easily showing that the father/son storyline is the strongest story by far.
Indy and Henry’s Relationship is a Franchise Highlight
The father/son story arc in Last Crusade was something that director Steven Spielberg wanted to bring into the franchise, and it is better off as a result. Indiana Jones was not explored this deeply in the previous two installments of the franchise and this humanized him a lot more than he had been before. It also worked out perfectly having Connery play the role of Indy’s father; James Bond was an influence on the Indiana Jones character, and Spielberg figured who would be better to play Indy’s father than James Bond? Their relationship gave a new insight into Indiana Jones, which is why it holds as the franchise’s strongest story: it influenced future films in the franchise.
Mutt’s introduction as Indy’s son in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is meant to mirror Jones’ relationship with his own father. But Jones’ experiences with Henry helped him navigate his relationship with his son, and the process was a lot quicker because Jones always wanted those years of estrangement back. There is even a touching moment in The Dial of Destiny that shows how Indy keeps his father’s memory close to him on his adventures. Despite only appearing in one film, Henry Jones Sr. is one of the most beloved Indiana Jones characters, which helped make The Last Crusade a memorable entry in the beloved franchise.