The Importance Of Being Indiana
So I realised I haven't posted anything on here for an absolute age, and wondered what I should put up. I couldn't really think of anything, and I can't really be bothered to write anything new or profound. However. I'm going to a fancy dress party tonight, and I'm dressing up as the one and only Indiana Jones. In light of this, then, I've decided to put up my latest article for the next Big Lens mag (the film magazine for Kent). It's a light-hearted look at the man with the hat, and is a good enough way to waste a couple of minutes, if I say so myself. :)
Actually, this is a bit of an exlusive, as the next issue is yet to be published...you read it here first!
This issue of Big Lens is a little bit heavy: rape, violence, boring things about soundtrack... In fact, I was tempted to continue the tone and write a piece on paedophilia, but I might save that for the next issue. So, in a world full of war, terror, suffering, and Adam Sandler, I have come to the conclusion that there is only one antidote: Indiana Jones.
Yes, the hat-wearing, whip-cracking, wise-talking piece of rugged manliness is surely the real ultimate solution. If ever I’m feeling a bit down or (more often than not) a bit bored, all I need to do is whack out the all-conquering Indiana box set and my endorphin levels go through the roof.
But what is it that makes Dr. Jones so appealing? Well, pretty much everything, and anyone reading this who doesn’t appreciate Indiana, well...suffice it to say you may wake up tomorrow in a bed full of snakes. Yes, I am threatening you.
Let’s start with his attire. His fedora hat is surely the most iconic and recognisable piece of head-wear in film, and anyone who says they don’t want one is a liar. Then there’s the leather jacket: timeless and ultimately cool. His khaki trousers and beige unbuttoned shirt complete the look, and he even manages to make a bull whip seem like a must-have fashion accessory; surely such a feat is deserving of respect and admiration. In fact, his original hat, jacket and whip all reside in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, such is their importance. You could even say, and I’m positive that Indiana would agree with me, that they belong in a museum...
He is dashing yet rugged, sparkling but grumpy: essentially, Indy is no-nonsense. Yet the irony is that all of the situations he gets himself stuck in are completely nonsensical: how often are you having your heart ripped out or drinking from the cup of Christ? It’s this conflict between the circumstances he finds himself in and the manner in which he goes about overcoming them that creates such wonderful moments. What would you do when a randomer shows off his impressive sword skills in expectation of a long, well choreographed fight? Why, just get out your gun and shoot him of course. It’s so simple! In fact, the story behind this scene is that it actually was intended to be a long, well choreographed fight, but Harrison Ford was suffering from dysentery, and, in true Indiana style, uttered the immortal words to Stevey Spielberg: “Why don’t I just shoot the fucker?”
While we’re on the subject, let’s talk more about Mr. Ford. Just before playing the man with the hat, he’d starred as Han Solo, the coolest character in Star Wars (until Jar Jar appeared, of course). Surely he couldn’t craft an even cooler character than Han? Oh yes he could. He somehow manages to pull off being an everyman whilst also being anything but ordinary. Indy looks as though he’s been there before, done it all, and bought nigh on a thousand souvenir Nazi t-shirts, and it’s all thanks to Ford. The perfect illustration of this occurs in The Last Crusade where an indignant Sean Connery (what a partnership!) exclaims: “They’re trying to kill ush! ...thish ish a new experiensh for me.” With a knowing glance toward the camera and a grumpy-come-ironic delivery, Jones Jr. mumbles: “It happens to me all the time...”
There is, needless to say, another major factor in his greatness: simply: da-da-da-da...da-da-daa. You just couldn’t ask for a more rousing theme tune, and if you did you’d just be greedy. It’s impossible not to join in when someone starts singing it, and this is one of the reasons we love Indiana: it’s contagious. John Williams’ iconic score allows us to get carried away in the adventure; certainly, it is no coincidence that I own an Indiana Jones style hat...
On a more serious note, though, there is a hugely potent and dangerous side to Indiana Jones. The other day, after another viewing of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, I was innocently browsing ebay, when I came across a replica leather Indiana Jones jacket, made by the very same company who made the originals! I was but a single click away from spending a considerable £150 of my student loan on what is probably the coolest piece of clothing I would ever own...in fact, writing this is making me go back onto the seller’s page...
And this is why I’m excited about the new Indiana Jones. Admittedly, I was sceptical at first, but I have faith in Spielberg. He knew what he was doing when he directed the first three, and as long as he continues to not take it too seriously (a fatal error made by so many other films in the same genre), there are going to be millions of wide, toothy grins across the nation. At the end of the day, how can it not be great? It’s Indiana Jones!
Actually, this is a bit of an exlusive, as the next issue is yet to be published...you read it here first!
This issue of Big Lens is a little bit heavy: rape, violence, boring things about soundtrack... In fact, I was tempted to continue the tone and write a piece on paedophilia, but I might save that for the next issue. So, in a world full of war, terror, suffering, and Adam Sandler, I have come to the conclusion that there is only one antidote: Indiana Jones.
Yes, the hat-wearing, whip-cracking, wise-talking piece of rugged manliness is surely the real ultimate solution. If ever I’m feeling a bit down or (more often than not) a bit bored, all I need to do is whack out the all-conquering Indiana box set and my endorphin levels go through the roof.
But what is it that makes Dr. Jones so appealing? Well, pretty much everything, and anyone reading this who doesn’t appreciate Indiana, well...suffice it to say you may wake up tomorrow in a bed full of snakes. Yes, I am threatening you.
Let’s start with his attire. His fedora hat is surely the most iconic and recognisable piece of head-wear in film, and anyone who says they don’t want one is a liar. Then there’s the leather jacket: timeless and ultimately cool. His khaki trousers and beige unbuttoned shirt complete the look, and he even manages to make a bull whip seem like a must-have fashion accessory; surely such a feat is deserving of respect and admiration. In fact, his original hat, jacket and whip all reside in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, such is their importance. You could even say, and I’m positive that Indiana would agree with me, that they belong in a museum...
He is dashing yet rugged, sparkling but grumpy: essentially, Indy is no-nonsense. Yet the irony is that all of the situations he gets himself stuck in are completely nonsensical: how often are you having your heart ripped out or drinking from the cup of Christ? It’s this conflict between the circumstances he finds himself in and the manner in which he goes about overcoming them that creates such wonderful moments. What would you do when a randomer shows off his impressive sword skills in expectation of a long, well choreographed fight? Why, just get out your gun and shoot him of course. It’s so simple! In fact, the story behind this scene is that it actually was intended to be a long, well choreographed fight, but Harrison Ford was suffering from dysentery, and, in true Indiana style, uttered the immortal words to Stevey Spielberg: “Why don’t I just shoot the fucker?”
While we’re on the subject, let’s talk more about Mr. Ford. Just before playing the man with the hat, he’d starred as Han Solo, the coolest character in Star Wars (until Jar Jar appeared, of course). Surely he couldn’t craft an even cooler character than Han? Oh yes he could. He somehow manages to pull off being an everyman whilst also being anything but ordinary. Indy looks as though he’s been there before, done it all, and bought nigh on a thousand souvenir Nazi t-shirts, and it’s all thanks to Ford. The perfect illustration of this occurs in The Last Crusade where an indignant Sean Connery (what a partnership!) exclaims: “They’re trying to kill ush! ...thish ish a new experiensh for me.” With a knowing glance toward the camera and a grumpy-come-ironic delivery, Jones Jr. mumbles: “It happens to me all the time...”
There is, needless to say, another major factor in his greatness: simply: da-da-da-da...da-da-daa. You just couldn’t ask for a more rousing theme tune, and if you did you’d just be greedy. It’s impossible not to join in when someone starts singing it, and this is one of the reasons we love Indiana: it’s contagious. John Williams’ iconic score allows us to get carried away in the adventure; certainly, it is no coincidence that I own an Indiana Jones style hat...
On a more serious note, though, there is a hugely potent and dangerous side to Indiana Jones. The other day, after another viewing of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, I was innocently browsing ebay, when I came across a replica leather Indiana Jones jacket, made by the very same company who made the originals! I was but a single click away from spending a considerable £150 of my student loan on what is probably the coolest piece of clothing I would ever own...in fact, writing this is making me go back onto the seller’s page...
And this is why I’m excited about the new Indiana Jones. Admittedly, I was sceptical at first, but I have faith in Spielberg. He knew what he was doing when he directed the first three, and as long as he continues to not take it too seriously (a fatal error made by so many other films in the same genre), there are going to be millions of wide, toothy grins across the nation. At the end of the day, how can it not be great? It’s Indiana Jones!