Top 25 Outdoor Movies of All Time: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is the next movie on our list of the Top 25 Outdoor Movies of All Time. The film is an action-packed adventure that will definitely bring out a big crowd in just about any community.
The film is the third stop in the Indiana Jones saga, and begins with a young Indiana getting into a scuffle on a scout trip in Utah with some grave robbers after he takes a jeweled cross out from under them. He eventually gives it back, but the leader of the robbers hands Indiana his hat — something Indiana will keep as his trademark (along with his whip). Then we fast-forward to the adult Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), who learns that his father, Henry (Sean Connery), has mysteriously disappeared while researching the Holy Grail. Of course, Indiana sets out to find his father, and is led through a series of clues on a nonstop ride of classic Indiana Jones adventure as he encounters ancient relics, Nazi enemies, and threats right under his nose.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a classic that’s entertaining in ways contemporary adventure films can’t compete with. It doesn’t rely too heavily on CGI or massive explosions, but rather on quick-paced mystery and adventure that makes Indiana Jones unique. The film was a difficult one to make, with locations in Spain, Italy, England, and Jordan. It’s rated PG-13, so we wouldn’t recommend it for small children, but it’s great for teenagers and young adults, or for a date-night outdoor cinema event. It’s also a great selection for school groups and colleges, and will bring out plenty of people — many won’t have seen the film for some time and will come watch it under the stars for nostalgia’s sake.
As with many of the films on our Top 25 list, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a great selection in part for the pre-movie activities it invites. You could hold a look-alike Indiana Jones contest, with audience members voting on the best-dressed and best-posed contestant! You could even have a “Holy Grail,” or other faux treasure, for the winner, along with sponsored prizes from your nearby local businesses. In fact, getting sponsors for your events is a great way to pay for movie licensing, equipment upgrades, and staff support. It’s a way for local businesses to show they care about their community, and there’s no better opportunity to get in front of thousands of their potential customers.
As usual, if anyone has shown this film as an outdoor movie, we’d love to see your images and hear your story! Send us a note at sales@openaircinema.us, and we’ll share your story with the global outdoor-cinema community.