---
title: "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"
year: 1989
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade"
fi1m_id: "indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade"
imdb_id: "tt0097576"
tmdb_id: 89
wikidata_id: "Q185658"
fi1m_score: 83
critics_score: 77
critics_reviews: 14
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:33.389378+00:00"
region: "CA"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Directed by Steven Spielberg · 2h 07m · Adventure, Action

## Identity

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade
- **IMDb ID:** tt0097576
- **TMDB ID:** 89
- **Wikidata ID:** Q185658
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097576/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/89, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q185658

**Fi1m score: 83** · Critics 77 from 14 reviews

*In a sentence:* Even Indiana Jones cannot convince his father that he knows what he is doing

> Harrison Ford and Sean Connery make this a funny, affectionate adventure worth returning to. The action sometimes repeats familiar pleasures, but the father-and-son friction gives Steven Spielberg’s film enough life to compensate.

## Synopsis

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) returns for a globe-trotting adventure involving his father, Professor Henry Jones (Sean Connery). An opening episode follows the younger Indy, played by River Phoenix, before the story turns to the adult adventurer. Father and son bring their disagreements with them, and their relationship becomes part of the journey alongside the action. Denholm Elliott plays Marcus Brody, John Rhys-Davies plays Sallah and Alison Doody plays Elsa, with Julian Glover as Walter Donovan. Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Jeffrey Boam, the film follows the expedition alongside the pair’s efforts to get along.

## Review

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* is funny, affectionate and worth an evening, even when its action feels familiar enough to anticipate. Steven Spielberg has the good sense to put Harrison Ford opposite Sean Connery as Indiana’s father and let them irritate each other. Indiana’s confidence is much more entertaining when someone close to him declines to be impressed by it. Their disagreements keep the film lively when the journey itself starts to feel predictable.

The prologue with River Phoenix as the young Indy is entertaining, though Spielberg crams in more activity than it needs. The main story takes its time arriving, and the opening begins to feel like a separate adventure demanding equal attention. Phoenix brings enough energy to make the detour enjoyable on its own terms. We would still happily lose some of the bustle to reach the father-and-son business sooner.

Jeffrey Boam’s screenplay is strongest when it lets the two men disagree without making either of them entirely ridiculous. Connery plays paternal certainty with such ease that Ford scarcely has to do anything except look increasingly put out. We laughed at that exasperation: Indiana seems much less equipped to cope with his father’s opinions than with the expedition. There is affection in Connery’s performance, but no suggestion that affection obliges Henry to concede a point. Ford lets Indiana look thoroughly annoyed without making him unpleasant.

Douglas Slocombe’s cinematography keeps Ford readable within the action, so the pleasure of watching him struggle is not lost in the size of the spectacle. We can follow the danger and still catch the expression that makes it funny. Michael Kahn’s editing gives those reactions time to register without stopping everything for a joke. Spielberg remembers that watching the effort on Ford’s face is part of the entertainment.

Elliot Scott’s production design gives the action spaces a solid, imposing look that usefully offsets the clowning. That solidity matters when the film is this keen to make us laugh. John Williams’s score is buoyant and assertive, giving the action momentum even when the story is following an easily guessed course. The music also suits the broad comedy; it allows the adventure to be fun without constantly demanding our awe.

The comparison with [*Raiders of the Lost Ark*](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark) does expose the limits. This film is looser and more indulgent, and the familiar rhythms of the expedition occasionally make it seem as though Spielberg is relying on our goodwill. At 127 minutes, it has enough room for that repetition to become noticeable, especially when the leads are not supplying the entertainment. It remains enjoyable through those stretches, but the prospect of the next action sequence does not always bring much curiosity about it.

The father-and-son relationship supplies enough feeling to make the indulgence forgivable. Connery and Ford allow the irritation to remain even when the affection is apparent, which is a large part of why their partnership is so enjoyable. Watch it with someone who knows how quickly a conversation with a parent can become an argument.

*Fi1m score 83, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics like it, and nearly all of them like it for the same reason. Sean Connery as Henry Jones Sr, bickering with Harrison Ford’s Indy, is named as the film’s chief pleasure in almost every review, credited with giving the adventure a heart the series had not shown before. Several call it a return to form after Temple of Doom and a fitting close to the trilogy. The Venice catacombs, the desert tank chase and the River Phoenix prologue also draw regular praise.

The reservations cluster on familiarity. A number of reviews note that the film reruns the shape of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a few think it does so with less energy. The New Yorker finds it enjoyable but repetitive, Slant Magazine calls it a solid, transitional entry short on dynamism, and the Los Angeles Times suggests the genre itself is running down. The spread is narrow: no review is negative, and even the doubters concede the Connery-Ford double act.

## Straight answers

**Is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade worth watching?**

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a funny, affectionate adventure, and we scored it 83. Harrison Ford and Sean Connery bickering as son and father carry the film, though the action itself often follows a course you can guess. At 127 minutes the repetition shows when the leads are off screen.

**How long is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and what is it rated?**

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* runs 2h 07m. It is an adventure and action film.

**Where can I watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in Canada?**

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* is streaming on Crave and Amazon Prime Video in Canada, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from CA$4.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade compare to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?**

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* is the warmer and funnier of the two, while [*Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom) has the better-built set pieces. The earlier film's raft, mine cart and bridge sequences outdo anything here, but it saddles itself with a heroine who only screams and a view of India that dates badly. Anyone who wants character over spectacle should choose the later film.

**Do you need to have seen the other Indiana Jones films before Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?**

*Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* stands on its own and needs no knowledge of the earlier Indiana Jones films. The story introduces Indiana's father, Henry Jones, from scratch, and their disagreements are the heart of the film rather than any carried-over plot. A prologue with River Phoenix as the young Indy gives newcomers a starting point, and returning characters such as Marcus Brody and Sallah explain themselves in passing.

**What should I watch after Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?**

After *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*, try [*The Treasure of the Sierra Madre*](https://film.one/film/the-treasure-of-the-sierra-madre) (1948, Fi1m 88): A rougher treasure hunt, with greed doing more damage than the terrain. Then [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople) (2016, Fi1m 82): An irritable older man and a stubborn boy make unexpectedly affecting travelling companions; and [*The Adventures of Robin Hood*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood) (1938, Fi1m 90): Cleanly staged action and cheerful defiance, with no embarrassment about entertaining the audience.

**What order should I watch the Indiana Jones films in?**

Release order is the safe choice for Indiana Jones, and it is the order [our collection page](https://film.one/collections/indiana-jones) lists them in. *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* is number 3 of the 5 Indiana Jones titles on Fi1m; before it comes [*Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom) and after it [*Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull). [The full order.](https://film.one/collections/indiana-jones.md)

### Reviews we read (14)

- **Radio Times**, John Ferguson (5/5): The series is restored to form after Temple of Doom thanks to the inspired pairing of Harrison Ford and Sean Connery as father and son. Spielberg delivers epic-scale action with panache, highlighted by the young Indy prologue featuring River Phoenix. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-gqnuht/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade/)
- **The New York Times**, Caryn James (90/100, inferred): The review finds the film nearly as good as the first in the series and a strong finale, with the father-son pairing providing resonance and depth. It singles out Sean Connery’s presence for giving the adventure emotional shading and turning it into an ultimate quest story. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/24/movies/review-film-indiana-jones-in-pursuit-of-dad-and-the-grail.html)
- **Empire**, Bob McCabe (80/100, inferred): The film is the most entertaining entry in the series and a fitting end to the Indy trilogy, though it does not quite match Raiders. The standout element is the interplay and chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery as father and son. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/indiana-jones-last-crusade-review/)
- **Evening Standard**, William Mata (4/5): The critic praises Sean Connery's perfect portrayal of Henry Jones Sr as both a genius archaeologist and bumbling dad, highlighting the strong odd-couple chemistry with Indiana Jones and the satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy. They single out Connery as the standout element everyone remembers, noting the film's cheesy but enjoyable family-oriented adventures and River Phoenix's cameo. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/indiana-jones-films-ranked-harrison-ford-b1091051.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (80/100, inferred): The critic finds delight in the film's pulp-adventure spirit and set pieces like the Venice catacombs and desert tank chase, while praising Sean Connery's turn as Indy's father and Harrison Ford's easy charisma. A shade of disappointment stems from the material no longer feeling new after Raiders of the Lost Ark. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade-1989)
- **Time Out**, CM (80/100, inferred): The film recaptures the spirit of Raiders of the Lost Ark with its action set pieces and globe-trotting adventure. The standout element is Sean Connery as Indy's father, whose sparring relationship with Harrison Ford provides the emotional core and prevents the movie feeling like pure déjà vu. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/london/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade)
- **Variety**, Joseph McBride (80/100, inferred): The review calls it more cerebral than prior entries and a moving, literate adventure with unexpected emotional depth. It singles out the Harrison Ford-Sean Connery father-and-son team for giving the film real heart and a touching finale. [Read](https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade-1200428090/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Sheila Benson (70/100, inferred): The review says Indiana quits at the top of the heap even as the genre feels mechanical and on the wane. It singles out the Harrison Ford-Sean Connery father-son chemistry for delivering affection and acerbic moments amid the action. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-05-24-ca-434-story.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jeremiah Kipp (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a solid but transitional effort lacking the energy of predecessors, praising the father-son dynamic between Indy and his dad. They single out the chemistry between Ford and Connery for praise while complaining about overkill in the prologue and lack of dynamism. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade/)
- **The New Yorker**, Pauline Kael (50/100, inferred): The review calls the film enjoyable but a familiar, repetitive rehash that lacks the original thrill of earlier entries. It singles out the Connery-Ford father-son interplay and clowning for providing the main spark and personality. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1989/06/12/capsule)
- **Eye for Film**, Jennie Kermode (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the film as a rollicking good ride and near-perfect cinematic adventure with superb pacing, thrilling soundtrack, and charismatic performances, especially from Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. She singles out the stunning locations like ancient Petra and the emotional father-son relationship for praise while noting it can feel too twee in its references to earlier films. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade-film-review-by-jennie-kermode)
- **Film Stories**, A J Black (85/100, inferred): The critic argues that Last Crusade is the most elegant Indiana Jones film, praising its inter-generational father-son story and emotional heart. They single out the chemistry between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, and the script's wit and set pieces, as making it a standout with the biggest heart in the series. [Read](https://filmstories.co.uk/features/indiana-jones-revisited-its-time-for-indiana-jones-the-last-crusade/)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the film the lightest and funniest in the series, with the father-son dynamic between Indy and Henry Jones Sr. as its standout strength and a source of comedy and emotional depth. The action and humor entertain greatly overall, though it falls short of Raiders of the Lost Ark in narrative tightness and control. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/revisiting-indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade/)
- **The Ringer**, Adam Nayman (75/100, inferred): The critic views the film as a sweet, reassuring entry that adds a father-son origin story with Sean Connery, making it the most emotionally grounded of the series. He praises the literal ride-into-the-sunset ending while noting it functions as a near-remake of the first film with fewer standout villains. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2019/01/07/movies/indiana-jones-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-spielberg-netflix)

## Details

- **Director:** Steven Spielberg
- **Director:** Steven Spielberg
- **Screenplay:** Jeffrey Boam
- **Story:** Menno Meyjes, George Lucas
- **Cinematography:** Douglas Slocombe
- **Editor:** Michael Kahn
- **Music:** John Williams
- **Production design:** Elliot Scott
- **Costume design:** Joanna Johnston, Anthony Powell
- **Producer:** Robert Watts
- **Cast:** Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones; Sean Connery as Professor Henry Jones; Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody; Alison Doody as Elsa; John Rhys-Davies as Sallah; Julian Glover as Walter Donovan; River Phoenix as Young Indy; Michael Byrne as Vogel
- **Runtime:** 2h 07m
- **Release (Canada):** 24 May 1989
- **Genres:** Adventure, Action
- **Part of:** [Indiana Jones](https://film.one/collections/indiana-jones.md) · 3 of 5
- **Budget:** $48 million
- **Box office:** $474 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKg36LBVgfg

## Where to watch in Canada

- Crave: streaming
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent CA$4.99, uhd
- Apple TV: rent CA$4.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy CA$14.99, sd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy CA$19.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 1990: Best Original Score (nominated); Best Sound (nominated); Best Sound Editing (won)
- Hugo Awards 1990: Best Dramatic Presentation (won)

## If you liked this

- *The Man from Rio* (1964): Physical comedy and globe-trotting danger, with a hero forever struggling to keep up
- *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975): Connery supplies more argumentative companionship, though this expedition takes ambition considerably more seriously
- *The Treasure of the Sierra Madre* (1948), Fi1m 88: A rougher treasure hunt, with greed doing more damage than the terrain — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-treasure-of-the-sierra-madre.md)
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), Fi1m 82: An irritable older man and a stubborn boy make unexpectedly affecting travelling companions — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938), Fi1m 90: Cleanly staged action and cheerful defiance, with no embarrassment about entertaining the audience — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade