Great Movies Revisited - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

I can't say what Christmas TV was like anywhere else in the world, but I can say what it was like in Australia. In fact, it's probably better that I don't say anything about it at all, other than the best thing we watched over the entire Christmas break was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade from our DVD collection.

As readers of my blog post on the first Indy film will know, I am a massive admirer of this franchise with the obvious exception of the fourth film. I know some have done revisionist reviews of Crystal Skull and written about how it has aged better than expected, but I have not watched the movie since its original release in the cinema back in 2008 so I can't comment on that. I can say that I was not very impressed with it at the time, with my complaints being those made by most people - the CGI, the aliens and so on. I read a review recently which came at it from a new angle and blamed not only these things but also Harrison Ford himself. As I recall, Ford didn't come up too often for a panning at the time of the film's release so it was interesting seeing this new critique in which it was claimed Ford's heart wasn't in the movie and it showed, etc.

I'll leave that to you to decide, but what cannot be debated is the greatness of The Last Crusade. As motion pictures go, this one has it all - excellent pacing, brilliant action sequences, a gripping plot, a great final act and all wrapped up in a first-class script. Despite all this, what really sets the film on fire for me is the interplay between Harrison Ford and his on-screen father Sean Connery. One moment funny, the other poignant, this relationship carried the film effortlessly, and I suspect it's what they were going for in Crystal Skull with Indy and his son, but as with Australian television, the less said about that the better.

Another aspect that makes this film so good for me is Julian Glover's portrayal of Walter Donovan, the man who sets Indy on his way at the start of the movie and turns out to be a traitor working with the Nazis in order to secure the Holy Grail. I was going to give a spoiler alert there, but then I remembered the film is nearly 30 years old so I guess that ship has already sailed. This alongside the two loathsome Nazis, General Vogel (Michael Byrne) and Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody) is the best team of baddies in the franchise so far.

When I think about putting an old film like this on, there's always a brief moment when I think "Nah - I just know it too well" but when a movie like this starts, its magic just draws you in and the next thing you know Indy's riding into the sunset and the credits are rolling. From the brilliant Venice scene, to the Airship, to the fantastic final sequence, this timeless adventure film is an all-time classic that deserves two hours of anyone's time and we can only hope Spielberg draws from this and not Crystal Skull for Indiana Jones #5 which is due on the big screen in 2020.

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Release Schedule Updates & Other Ideas

I’ve had several emails from readers asking about when books from the various series are going to be published, so I thought I’d sketch out a rough release schedule to kick off the brand new year, plus throw in a few other bits and pieces.

Next story up is Treasure of Babylon (Avalon Adventures #2). This will see the crew of the Avalon chasing down one of the most precious and holy objects of all time – the Ark of the Covenant. In their search for this they all get to know each other a little better and confront a new terrible enemy, but they soon realize things are not as they seem.

 

 

Treasure of Babylon (Avalon Adventures #2)

After that, Joe and the rest of the ECHO team return in The King’s Tomb (Joe Hawke #10). This has taken longer than I anticipated because it’s going to be a pivotal novel in the story of Hawke and his friends. With some high-profile deaths and some big shifts in the arc there’s a lot of story, but I also want it to read very fast, so it’s taking some time to put together. On the Hawke series in general it’s worth pointing out that I have a full arc planned out and know pretty much where it’s going, but I am able to veer off course for more standalone stories if a good one comes along.

I would like other novels of 2018 to include The Orpheus Legacy (Joe Hawke #11) and Day of the Dead (Joe Hawke #12). These are working titles that may or may not stick, as is (maybe but unlikely in 2018) Shadow of the Apocalypse (Joe Hawke #13). I’m also keen to release Raiders #2 which is already partially written. The second Harry Bane thriller – The Taranis Conspiracy – is sketched out but I doubt a 2018 release will be possible.

 

 

Typewriter: check. Booze: check. Peace and quiet: Forget about it.

Other “further out” ideas lurking in the basement include a British crime novel which is partially written, but it’s a very old idea of mine pre-dating Hawke. The main man is currently called DCI Jacob, and the story is more of an action-adventure novel in many respects as it’s very fast-paced with lots of chases, etc. Some readers might be disappointed that I have not yet been able to incorporate a helicopter into it… I strongly doubt this will be ready in 2018, and there’s a good chance poor old Jacob will never see the light of day at all.

I'm also trying to breathe life into a favourite character of mine from a few years back by the name of Blake. He is a former military officer who spends his time helping out ordinary folks, a sort of cross between the A-Team and Jack Reacher or thereabouts. I have worked with many senior military officers in the past, including SAS, and I wanted a new universe to use some of this experience, and Blake is that place, but again it's just a matter of finding the time. I have three stories for Blake (brace for more working titles): The Operator, The Brazilian Girl and Jericho Creek. These may or may not emerge over the next couple of years.

More concrete is a surprise for readers of the Hawke series which should be coming along with luck in 2018… ;)  Also, I got a nice Christmas present from my US Publishers this year in the shape of some lovely Audiobook CDs for The Vault of Poseidon. These are narrated by the outstanding Shaun Grindell and I’ll be giving one or two of them away in the near future so keep an eye out for this on my Facebook page if you want a chance to win one.

Follow me on Facebook for a chance to win one of these amazing Audiobook CDs!

Finally, I wanted to thank you, Dear Mystery Reader, for your continuing support and encouragement on this amazing journey we’re taking together. Having published 12 novels in a little over 2 years, it’s fair to say I spend a great deal of time buried in the worlds of my characters, so it’s always great to look up once in a while and see how supportive you are with your comments on social media and especially in your emails (you know who you are). From my heart, sincere thanks for this – it’s why writers write.

So, Dear Mystery Reader, wherever you are – here’s to wishing you a Happy New Year and a healthy and prosperous 2018!

R

2018 (Very Rough) Release Schedule

Treasure of Babylon (Avalon Adventures #2)

The King’s Tomb (Joe Hawke #10)

The Orpheus Legacy (Joe Hawke #11)

Raiders #2

Day of the Dead (Joe Hawke #12)

+ maybe but unlikely: Shadow of the Apocalypse (Joe Hawke #13)

I’m aiming for this but it might end up totally different, plus look out for a few surprises on the way as usual J

Get more info on my novels by visiting my website at www.robjonesnovels.com Or visit my Amazon Author Central Page at Rob Jones Author Central
Or my Facebook Page at Rob Jones Facebook

Or my Twitter Page at @AuthorRobJones