Hutchinson - Last Crusade

The Last Crusade is the final stage in the Indiana Jones trilogy (disregarding the catastrophe that came 20 years later.) In this film, Indy must finally make peace and overcome his daddy issues. It is also in this film that Indy goes through the three stages of knighthood: mercenary knight, indentured knight, and aristocratic knight.

Indy as mercenary: The mercenary knight is described as poor with very little armor and no real commitment to values or community concerns. He is only in it for “fortune and glory.” In the opening scene, we see Indy on a trip with his scout troop. This could be seen as Indy’s mercenary years. He is wearing a scout uniform, lost somewhere in the mountains (though he claims his entire group is lost and he’s right where he needs to be) with really nothing to aid him but his wits. It is at this time that he stumbles upon some men finding a valuable and old cross. Indy steals it and goes through this fast-paced, obstacle-filled chase scene just to bring it home to his father. When the cross is taken from him, he claims that he took it because it belonged in a museum. However, it seems that Indy really took it because, knowing his father’s love of history and historical artifacts, he wanted to win praise and acknowledgement (or fortune and glory) from his father.

Indy as indentured: The indentured knight has a full set of armor. He is bound to one lord and does his bidding. Donovan would seem to be the lord in question. As Indy leaves his office to escape the crowd of screaming students, he is picked up and brought to Donovan. Donovan then shows him a tablet that reads the exact location of the Holy Grail, even if a little vague. Indy is now an older, more experienced archaeologist and has already made a name for himself. He is no longer the little scout from the mountains. He has his full armor in his whip, hat, and extensive knowledge of history. Donovan gets Indy to agree to lead this already in progress quest by mentioning that his father, Dr. Jones Sr., has gone missing. It is Donovan’s history as a major contributor to the museum, and ultimately a desire to help his father that drives Indy to take this quest. He is doing all of this at the request of Donovan, and on his dime. His is fully at his command.

Indy as aristocratic: The aristocratic knight has already formed himself as well-established and important. He has the money and the fame, but now has to think of those he is responsible for. Indy has taken on this quest at the request of Donovan, but he comes to find out that Donovan has not only betrayed him, but also his father. It is time for Indy to step up and save the day. His oath to Donovan now forfeit, he can concentrate on his relationship with his father and finding the Grail together before Donovan can get his hands on it. When Indy finally gets to the secret Holy Grail hiding spot, the knight set to guard it recognizes him as the bravest, worthiest knight to take his place. This comes to fruition as Indy not only "chooses wisely" in picking the grail cup but chooses to save his father. He also knows that he is beyond "fortune and glory" and that the grail must remain. His father tells him to "let it go" and he concedes to his will. He is a full-blown knight.