1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

The biggest movie of '89 was meant to be Batman. Yet the final chapter in the story of archeologist Indiana Jones is a fitting end to the decade, and it deserves its place at the top of the tree.

Of course, this should have been the last one, and the story ties it up so neatly. However, the money-machine wanted more and a fourth chapter was added in 2008. In my view, this marks the end of a wonderful trilogy of adventures.

Set in 1936, it pits Harrison Ford on the trail of his father, played by Sean Connery. The two then race the Nazis to locate the mythical Holy Grail, believed to give the gift of immortality.

Connery and Ford a great together, giving us a beautifully crafted father/son relationship that is so reminiscent of many. There is clearly love, respect, challenge and jealousy in their relationship.

This also pits Indiana Jones, the Lucas-Spielberg take on James Bond, with an actual Bond, and fits perfectly with the narrative. No-one else could be the father of Jones but Bond.

The main cast from Raiders return. The wonderful Denholm Elliot, and the outrageous John Rhys Davis. It also has an excellent opening as we discover a young Indy on the trail of treasure. This boy scout version is played by River Pheonix, who tragically died just after filming.

Spielberg again directs and there is an energy and assurance to this movie. It feels as if everyone knew this was it and wanted to go out on high, literally, the final shot is riding off into the sunset. A poetic ending to a great series of movies.

Search Abe Books for the novel here - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Novelisation