Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade: Historical Movie Analysis

How historically accurate (or inaccurate) is the classic adventure film "Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade"? Does the Holy Grail really exist? What were the Crusades really about? Was there really a Cross of Coronado? Was the tank shown in the film accurate? Is the Canyon of the Crescent Moon a real place? What about that temple shown in the movie? How does Venice work? Were German Zeppelin airships like the way they were portrayed here? Is that Charlemagne quote accurate? Is Indiana Jones a good teacher? In this deep dive video we'll answer all these questions and more as we try to put this beloved classic to the historical test.

(Note, my Substack and Patreon are no longer active).

Chapters:
00:00-06:51: 1 - Intro & Road Map
06:51-18:29: 2 - The Holy Grail & the Crusades
18:29-25:40: 3 - Indiana Jones as a Historian and Teacher
25:40-30:11: 4 - Utah 1912
30:11-33:47: 5 - The Cross of Coronado
33:47-38:52: 6 - Venice 1938
38:52-49:22: 7 - The Venice Catacombs
49:22-54:55: 8 - Castle Brunvald
54:55-1:03:02: 9 - Nazis, Airships & Charlemagne
1:03:02-1:07:20: 10 - The Republic of Hatay
1:07:20-1:12:23: 11 - The Tank
1:12:23-1:18:45: 12 - The Canyon of the Crescent Moon
1:18:45-1:21:37: 13 - Conclusion

[membership]

In the television series "The Indiana Jones Chronicles" (later titled "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones - 1992) we learn that Indie's Mother (Anna Mary Jones) died in 1912 of Scarlet Fever. Prof. Henry Jones Sr. (and family) had been on a World Tour of famed archaeological sites for two years previously, funded through his Alma mater, Oxford. It is presumed that when Anna died, Prof. Jones Sr. wanted some stability for young Indiana and took a sabbatical from guest lecturing. They briefly settled in Utah so that Henry Sr. could focus on his hobby of "Grail Research". It is at this point we find Indiana enrolled with the newly created "Boy Scouts of America", which is then proceeded by an adventure in Mexico with Pancho Villa in 1913 which is referenced in "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".

[speedracer]

Indiana Jones teaches at a fictional university, called Marshall College, which is named after producer Frank Marshall.

[rickwhite]

In terms of Indy's approach, remember that he is usually on a mission where human lives (and sometime the world) is at stake. So, like Bond, he prioritizes expediency over preservation. Not always an excuse but there are time where his actions are justifiable. We can also note that it is not always his action that start the destruction but those of the people that he is up against (like the Brotherhood in the Tomb of St. Richard and Elsa at the end).

[mikedrop]

The breakdowns of Indiana Jones flicks by Historians, Archeologists, Professors and directors always tickles me because the scientists absolutely detest Indy's everything but they all sight these movies as their inspiration

[joeyboudot]

as far as I'm aware, the reason Indy and his father are in Utah at the time is because Indy's mother had just passed away from Scarlet Fever and they were getting away or something or other. The Young Indy show starts with the Jones family traveling the world while his father tours universities and gives guest lectures, and this flashback scene takes place after they return home and before all the older-young Indy stuff during WWI and after. I also seem to remember them having family out there? In the episode where Indy joins up with Poncho Villa (Shoutout that one KotCS scene), Indy is on spring break and they are staying with his cousin's family but I seem to remember that being New Mexico? I'm sure there's a wiki article.

Anyways, the way I look at it is this is the period of time RIGHT after Indy's mother has died. The two men, Indy and Henry Jones Sr. are both grieving in their own way: Indy hits a self-righteous streak and looks for an excuse to beat people up and steal artifacts from grave robbers because they "Belong in a Museum" and his father dives OBSESIVLEY into Grail Lore (Perhaps as a coping mechanism post his wife's death, thinking perhaps it could return her to life or, if he had had it, he could have saved her from the fever). These conflicting "coping" mechanisms (very unhealthy, might I add) furthered the rift between the father and sun, Indy feeling like he was less important than people you had been dead for a thousand years in another country and Henry Sr. feeling like Indy left right when he got interesting.
Essentially, Utah was an escape and a sabbatical of sorts for the Jones family after the tragedy in the family and serves as a pretty vital narrative point for understanding the relationship between Indy and his father throughout the film. I don't think Henry was necessarily TEACHING anywhere at the time, especially since they had recently returned from a world-tour of sorts.

[fluff]

They do mention King Arthur. Jones says, "The Arthur legend" during the conversation in the meeting near the beginning, when he finds out his father is missing.

[marshallmccurdy]

Look into New Mexico Military Institute for the inspiration behind much of the beginning 1912 scenes. Located in Roswell, NM rather than Utah, it was an Army calvary boarding high school and junior college. Emphasizing calvary patrols and wearing nearly identical uniforms as in the film, NMMI was well established in 1912, having been founded in 1891. This would explain Henry Jones Sr's teaching position. I just think Spielberg couldn't resist a backdrop as beautiful as Arches National Park for the setting of the film.

[jediknight]

Indiana Jones does mention the "Arthur Legend" in passing when talking to Donavon.

[harrypitt]

This is great! I discovered Sean Munger today in a youtube recommendation for his piece on iran-contra. I am surprised there are only double digit likes on this video. Must be new; good luck on your Quest for more viewership!

[townsendadrianarmani]

This is what I LIVE TO HEAR! Your commentary is top-notch!
I LOVE LECTURES! I'd definitely love to see you in a public lecture!

[malakiblunt]

Worth pointing out the very slow speed of british infantry tanks was part of doctrine that continued into WW2 - their job was to support infantry so did not need to move much faster than walking speed- this was allied with much faster Cruiser tanks designed for mechanised breakthrough attacks

[speedracer]

I like how the transition music progressively sounds more and more like the Indiana Jones theme, before we get the lovely flute version at the end.

[speedracer]

You should do historical accuracy videos on the other Indiana Jones films.

[TheShadow]

The nine hundred year old knight--where did he get his food? Takeout or delivery?

[samuelgarfinkel]

Sean, I love your videos and watch them avidly all the way through. I am so impressed with your meticulous research and your engaging presentation!

[JoeBuiDesertTrippin]

Great set-up and you got me hooked with your intro! Guess I’m gonna have to watch a few chapters at a time?

[poozizzle]

The real design flaw in the Hindenburg was the paint of the outer shell which was highly flammable.

[Dickie]

It’s criminal this channel doesn’t have more subscribers! This is great stuff! I can’t wait to see more!

[dumbledigletoftardis]

Love your stuff. Got hooked by the Iran contra video. Your detail is helping me through building a retaining wall. Much love.

[mikkelm]

Thanks for the great video! I didn’t know that I needed this video, but I’m so glad I found out!!! Love from Denmark