Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

 

 

 

Screenplay by                     Robert Watts

 

Produced by                       Jeffrey Boam

 

Directed by                        Steven Spielberg

 

 

 

Cast List:

 

Harrison Ford                   Indiana Jones

Sean Connery                  Dr. Henry Jones

Denholm Elliot                          Marcus Brody

Alison Doody                    Dr. Elsa Schneider

John-Rhys Davies              Sallah

Julian Glover                   Walter Donovan

River Phoenix                  Young Indy

 

 

 

FADE IN:

 

 

EXT. DESERT OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST – DAY

 

A mountain peak dominates the landscape.

 

TITLES BEGIN

 

Riders on horseback cross the desert. From this distance they appear to be a company of Army Cavalry Soldiers.

 

 

CLOSER ANGLES ON THE RIDERS

 

Reveal only details of saddles, hooves and uniforms. The riders are silhouetted against the rising sun as they ride into an ancient CLIFF PUEBLO.

 

The OFFICER IN COMMAND raises his hand halting his troops.

 

OFFICER

Dis-mount!

 

RIDERS climb down from their mounts... and only now do we realize that this is a TROOP OF BOY SCOUTS, all of them about thirteen years of age. The "Commanding Officer" is only their SCOUTMASTER, Mr. Havelock.

 

One of the Scouts, a pudgy kid named HERMAN, steps away from his horse, bends over and pukes. The other Scouts rag on him.

 

FIRST SCOUT

Herman's horsesick!

 

A BLOND SCOUT, however, befriends Herman. He has a thatch of straw-colored hair and the no-nonsense expression common to kids whose curiosity and appetite for knowledge exceed what they teach in school. Additionally, he has adorned his uniform with an authentic HOPI INDIAN WOVEN BELT.

 

SCOUTMASTER

Chaps, don't anybody wander off. Some of the passageways in here can run for miles.

 

Two Boy Scouts climb up the rocky base of the cliff.

 

 

INT. THE PASSAGEWAY – DAY

 

The two boys head down the passageway. It's dark, and the temperature drops several degrees. Spiders have built huge webs that get caught in the boys' hair.

 

Herman appears very uncertain as to the wisdom of this enterprise, but he's drawn on by his companion's adventurous curiosity.

 

HERMAN

I don't think this is such a good idea.

 

LAUGHTER is HEARD; the Blond Scout pulls Herman forward toward its source.

 

The VOICES GROW LOUDER now as the boys get closer to their source. The light of kerosene lanterns dances on the tunnel walls ahead. The boys approach cautiously, careful to stay hidden.

 

HERMAN

What is it?

 

This is what they see:

 

FOUR MEN digging with shovels and pick-axes. They have broken into one of the pueblo's SECRET CHAMBERS... called "Kivas."

 

The men are ROUGH RIDER (his name describes his dress), Roscoe (a Bowery Boy bully of 14) and HALFBREED (with straight black hair that cascades over his shoulders).

 

And the fourth man wears a LEATHER WAIST JACKET and BROWN FELT FEDORA HAT. He has his back turned to us, but we would be willing to bet anything that this is INDLANA JONES.

 

However, when the man turns, and his face is illuminated by the lantern's glow, we are shocked to discover that it is someone else.

 

We'll call him FEDORA.

 

TITLES END

 

The TWO BOYS are mesmerized by what they see.

 

Now we realize that the Blond Scout is actually young INDIANA JONES.

 

FEDORA

Alfred, did you get anything yet?

 

MAN

Nothing. Dig in.

 

Two of the men stand and look at Roscoe who steps forward holding a box in his hands.

 

ROSCOE

Hey, I've got something!

 

Whoops from the other men.

 

ROSCOE

I got something, Garth!

 

Roscoe rushes forward and gives Fedora the box. Fedora steps toward a lantern resting on a rock.

 

ROSCOE

I got something... I got something right here.

 

More whoops from the other men.

 

Fedore puts the box on the rock next to the lantern. Halfbreed pushes Roscoe as he jumps with excitement. Rough Rider steps forward to look at the box as Fedora opens it.

 

ROSCOE

(more whoops; then)

Oh, look at thatl

(more whoops)

We're richl We're rich!

 

HALFBREED

Shut up. Shut up.

 

Fedora takes a BEJEWELED CROSS from the box and holds it aloft. Fedora's comrades practically salivate at the sight of it.

 

ROSCOE (O.S.)

Well, we're rich, ain't we?!

 

Indy takes off his hat and looks down at the off screen action.

 

HERMAN

Indy? Indy? What are they doing? Indiana? Indiana?

 

INDY

Shhhl.

 

Fedora blows dust from the Cross, turning it in his hand, silently appraising ist beauty... and its value. He seems aloof from the others; somehow superior to them.

 

HALFBREED

Hey, we got to find more stuff to bring back.

 

Indy stays hidden, but is astounded by what he sees.

 

INDY

(hushed; urgent)

It's the Cross of Coronadol Cortes gave it to him in 1521.

 

Fedora continues to admire the Cross, then places it on the rock next to its box and the lantern.

 

Iindy turns back to observe the men.

 

INDY

That Cross is an important artifact. It belongs in a museum.

 

A look of resolve comes into Indy's expression, and he turns back toward Herman

 

INDY

Run back and find the others. Tell Mister Havelock that there are men looting in the caves.

 

Herman doesn't seem to be listening. Instead, he watches in wide-eyed horror as a SNAKE SLITHERS ACROSS HIS LAP.

 

INDY

Have him bring the sheriff.

 

Indy matter-of-factly picks up the snake and tosses it aside. Herman gasps.

 

INDY

It's only a snake.

 

Indy grabs Herman's scout scarf and pulls him closer.

 

INDY

Did you hear what I said?

 

HERMAN

Right. Run back. Mister Havelock. The Sheriff. What, what are you gonna do?

 

INDY

I don't know... I'll think of something.

 

Indy releases the scarf, gives Herman a pat and Herman dashes off. Indy sees the Cross on the rock next to the lantern. As the Robbers continue to search for additional valuables, Indy is able to work his way unseen to within arm's reach of the Cross...

 

Fedora looks over at the men digging in a hole b.g.

 

FEDORA

Dig with your hands.

 

Indy picks up the Cross.

 

FEDORA (O.S.)

Not with your mouth.

 

As Fedora stands watching the other men digging, Indy puts the Cross in his pants and begins to pull himself up a rope hanging nearby. As he climbs, Indy's feet break a wooden beam, attracting the men's attention.

 

ROSCOE

He's got our thing!

 

HALFBREED

Get 'im!

 

The three Robbers are so eager to get their hands on Indy, they almost knock each other over in the attempt.

 

Only Fedora is unperturbed. He casts a disgusted glance in the direction of his fleeing companions – then sets off after Indy.

 

 

EXT. THECLIFFS – DAY

 

Indy EMERGES from the darkness of the Pueblo into the brightness of day.

 

He pauses – squints – shields his eyes – looks in all directions.

 

INDY

Mister Havelock! Anybody Everybody's lost but me!

 

He hears RUNNING FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HIM and dashes off. Rough Rider, Halfbreed, and Roscoe are quick to appear and run after him.

 

FEDORA

There he is!

 

MEN

(ad-libs)

Let's go! Let's get him! Let's go!

 

Indy jumps from one rock to another; the SCOUT TROOP HORSES are below. Indy puts two fingers in his mouth and WHISTLES for his horse, who trots over. Indy puts the Cross in his belt.

 

Indy PREPARES TO JUMP into the saddle. Hesitates. Then... he JUMPS. But the horse moves exactly at the wrong moment and Indy lands flat on his feet in a standing position. The impact sends a shock wave up his body that rattles his back teeth. Indy stands up and successfully mounts his horse.

 

Fedora AND HIS MEN ARRIVE at the roof's edge in time to see Indy climb into the saddle and gallop off.

 

INDY

Hyahl Hyah!

 

ROSCOE

Hey! Come back here!

 

Fedora puts two fingers in his mouth and WHISTLES... and a VINTAGE TRUCK AND AUTOMOBILE come ROARING OUT from behind the Pueblo (driven by two more gang members). Now we glimpse...

 

 

THE MAN IN THE PANAMA HAT

 

The passenger in the car. His face is concealed by the hat's wide brim. His arm is out the window, however, and we see an olive-colored hand protruding from the sleeve of an expensive white linen suit. He gestures to the Robbers, now in the truck.

 

PANAMA HAT

Come on. Get him!

 

Indy SPURS his mount on to greater speeds but the autos not only keep pace with his horse... they begin to squeeze in on it.

 

Speeding Autos. Thundering hooves. Rushing wind. Flying dust. Indy crouched low and leaning forward in the saddle, his heart pounding, his adrenaline pumping.

 

Indy VEERS OFF in a new direction – toward a RAILROAD TRACK.

 

 

EXT. A CIRCUS TRAIN – DAY

 

The train is barreling down the track. Indy rides up beside it. He glances over his shoulder and sees the car and truck gaining on him. No other choice... he LEAPS FROM HORSE TO TRAIN.

 

He clings to the side of a BOXCAR, as Halfbreed and Rough Rider leap from the truck onto the train.

 

Halfbreed tries to grab Indy, but Indy leaps onto another boxcar. Halfbreed runs after him but Indy leaps from the boxcar onto some covered boxes stacked on a flatcar.

 

Indy loses his balance but regains it. With Halfbreed and Rough Rider still

running after him, Indy enters the trap door of...

 

 

INT. THE REPTILE CAR – DAY

 

and finds himself CRAWLING on a CATWALK suspended from the car's ceiling. Several feet below are NUMEROUS VATS containing all manner of reptiles: Alligators, crocodiles, giant lizards, etc.

 

Then, Halfbreed ENTERS through the trap door – followed by Rough Rider. Halfbreed grabs hold of Indy's feet, but Indy kicks at him and he loses his grasp.

 

Indy crawls away, toward an opening on the opposite side. Halfbreed grabs at Indy's feet again; Indy rolls away and we SEE large bins of squirming snakes.

 

The combined weight of the three people is more than the catwalk was intended for, and the BOLTS BEGIN TO RIP FROM THE CEILING.

 

Everyone holds their breath, afraid to make another move. Too late. SEVERAL BOLTS TEAR FREE. Halfbreed and Rough Rider SCREAM... but it's Indy's end of the catwalk that DROPS DOWN... PLUNGING Indy to the floor of the car.

 

He lands hard, with a SPLASH into a vat of water... where he finds himself eye-to-eye with an –

 

 

ENORMOUS ANACONDA

 

The head of this snake is so damn big, it looks more like a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

 

INDY

Oh...

 

Indy jumps back in horror... only to land with a SQUISH into the SNAKE VAT.

 

INDY

Oh... Oh...

 

Hundreds of slippery, squirming snakes. Indy sinks into them. They cover him. Engulf him. Almost smother him.

 

Indy jumps out of the side of the vat, freeing himself.

 

Indy locates a clean-out door at the bottom of the car and uses it to escape.

 

Halfbreed, meanwhile, tries to open the closed window of the car. He groans. Rough Rider moves to assist him.

 

ROUGH RIDER

Here, let me.

 

 

EXT. THE TRAIN – DAY

 

Indy stops, checks to see the Cross still lodged in his belt. Suddenly he looks worried as he frantically reaches into his shirt, REMOVES A SNAKE FROM and tosses it away.

 

Roscoe APPEARS atop the reptile car and manages to grab Indy. Indy kicks at him. Roscoe grabs onto the side of the reptile car as Indy moves on to...

 

 

EXT. A FLATCAR – DAY

 

Indy climbs over canvas-covered circus equipment. Roscoe follows, grabbing a long stick with a hook on it. He reaches forward and trips Indy, who falls onto the roof of the rhino boxcar.

 

 

INT. THE RHINO BOXCAR – DAY

 

As a lamp falls from the ceiling with the impact of Indy's fall, hitting a HUGE BLACK RHINOCEROS.

 

 

EXT. THE RHINO BOXCAR – DAY

 

Roscoe grabs Indy by the ankle and yanks him off his feet. The two struggle, rolling from side to side, coming perilously close to rolling right off the edge. Things get even more serious when Roscoe PULLS A KNIFE.

 

 

IN THE BOXCAR BELOW

 

... THE FEROCIOUS BLACK RHINO is becoming extremely agitated by the commotion going on atop his cage. Finally, he raises his head and THRUSTS HIS HORN THROUGH THE ROOF.

 

 

BACK TO THE ROOFTOP

 

As the horn SMASHES through the wood only inches from Indy's head. Indy and Roscoe stare at the horn in amazement as they continue to struggle. SMASH! The horn comes up again – RIGHT BETWEEN INDY'S LEGS.

 

INDY

Holy smokes!

 

Indy kicks Roscoe away. Roscoe rolls to the edge of the car but keeps from falling. Indy flips over onto his stomach.

 

 

EXT. THE REPTILE CAR – DAY

 

The WOODEN TRAP DOOR EXPLODES as a BULLET is FIRED from within. The door is pushed open and Halfbreed and Rough Rider hurry out of the car.

 

 

EXT. THE RHINO BOXCAR – DAY

 

Indy gets to his feet – looks ahead – sees a WATER TANK alongside the track directly up ahead. Indy gets an idea...

 

In an instant, he calculates his approach – times the distance – and LEAPS for the tank's WATER SPOUT.

 

He catches it perfectly... but his velocity causes the water spout to ROTATE A FULL 360 DEGREES. With Indy hanging on, feet kicking, the water spout deposits him back on the train, onto the ROOF OF A STOCKCAR, where he looks up to see Fedora walking toward him.

 

FEDORA

Come on, kid. There's no way out of this.

 

As Indy edges away from Fedora, a portion of the STOCKCAR'S ROOF COLLAPSES and Indy FALLS THROUGH into the car below.

 

 

INT. THE STOCKCAR – DAY

 

Indy CRASHES down from above. Dust rises.

 

INDY

Ohhh!

 

Indy's eyes take a moment to adjust to the dark. A bit of sunlight leaks in through the cracks between the boards.

 

Then Indy sees it. At the far end of the boxcar. Rising slowly to its feet... an AFRICAN LION. The Lion ROARS. The boxcar walls shake. Indy gasps. Dust swirls up into the shafts of sunlight.

 

And Indy has one more surprise in store: The Cross of Cortes has been dislodged from his belt during the fall...

 

Indy glances around, sees a coiled LION TAMER'S WHIP hanging on a nail. He carefully takes it down by the handle. The Lion sees this and GROWLS SOFTLY.

 

Indy swallows hard and gives the whip a try. It unravels awkwardly, its TIP flying back and HITTING Indy IN THE FACE... CUTTING his chin.

 

The Lion GROWLS LOUDER. Indy quickly gathers up the whip, wets his lips, and tries again. This time – success! The WHIP CRACKS SHARPLY. The Lion BELLOWS and SWATS the air... and steps back.

 

Indy looks amazed and delighted. He CRACKS the whip again. The Lion backs away even more. Indy inches forward – bends down (never taking his eyes off the Lion) – picks up the Cross – and steps back again, sweat pouring down his face.

 

But now... how to get out?

 

He looks up at the opening through which he fell and sees Fedora LOOKING DOWN AT HIM. Fedora extends his hand.

 

FEDORA

Toss up the whip.

 

 

EXT. THE ROOFTOP OF STOCKCAR

 

Fedora, assisted by Halfbreed and Rough Rider, "reels" Indy out of the Stockcar as the Lion ROARS and lunges and Indy screams.

 

The men, including Roscoe, pull Indy through the hole in the roof. He stands to face them as Rough Rider points a gun in his direction.

 

FEDORA

You've got heart, kid.

(indicates Cross)

But that belongs to me.

 

INDY

(takes Cross from his belt)

It belongs to Coronado.

 

FEDORA

(overlapping)

Coronado is dead. And so are all his grandchildren.

 

INDY

This should be in a museum.

 

ROSCOE

Now give me that!

 

Roscoe makes a grab for the Cross – but Indy doesn't let go. A tug-of-war ensues until a SNAKE WIGGLES OUT FROM INDY'S SHIRTSLEEVE and WRAPS AROUND Roscoe's hand.

 

Roscoe SCREAMS BLOODY MURDER – releases his grip on the Cross and tries to shake off the snake. This is all the opportunity Indy needs. He LEAPS ONTO THE NEXT CAR.

 

FEDORA

Don't let him get away!

 

Indy swings down to the caboose. He sees a sign above the caboose door reading "DR. FANTASY'S MAGIC CABOOSE."

 

INDY

Magic?

 

He glances back at the men and quickly opens the door to the caboose, stepping inside.

 

Fedora puts out his arm, gesturing for the others not to follow Indy.

 

FEDORA

Hold it. Make sure he doesn't double back.

 

 

INT. THE CABOOSE – DAY

 

Which contains the circus MAGIC EQUIPMENT. Indy rushes to the rear door of the caboose but can't open it. He hears Fedora coming, and dives into a MAGIC BOX.

 

FEDORA

Okay, kid. out of the box. Now.

 

Fedora smiles confidently and advances toward the box. The box unexpectedly collapses; all four sides flop away... revealing NOTHING. Indy has completely vanished.

 

Fedora is mystified, frustrated and angered. Then he feels a breeze at his back. He turns and discovers that the caboose door is open. He rushes out onto the balcony and sees:

 

Indy RUNNING along the tracks, turning up a street of modest clapboard houses.

 

FEDORA

Damn.

 

 

EXT. STREET – SMALL TOWN – DAY

 

As Indy runs from the railroad tracks and approaches his house we see the name "JONES" painted on the mailbox.

 

INDY

Dad!

 

 

INT. THE HOUSE – DAY

 

Indy bursts through the front door holding the Cross in his hand. A Husky BARKS as Indy runs past in search of his father.

 

INDY

Dad!

 

INDY

Dad!

 

 

INT. THE STUDY – DAY

 

Indy charges in. The study is cluttered with books. Pictures, charts and maps clearly reflect the father's passion for Medieval studies.

 

PROFESSOR Henry JONES is absorbed at his desk. In fact, he is studying a very ancient parchment volume which lies open on the desk. The page shows a beautifully illuminated picture of what might be a stained-glass window. The sketch incorporates a series of Roman numerals. The Professor is not just studying it, he is copying it into his own notebook.

 

We never get to see the Professor's face in this scene. So Indy CHARGES IN.

 

INDY

Dad!

 

HENRY

Out!

 

INDY

It's important!

 

HENRY

Then wait – count to twenty.

 

INDY

No, Dad. You listen to me –

 

HENRY

(now he shouts)

Junior!

 

No question who is the boss here. Indy gulps, his look says "What am I going to do with this guy?" And obeys – starts counting, VERY, VERY FAINTLY.

 

INDY

One, two, three, four...

 

Now we see what Henry is concentrating on. We see his hand sketching; then, he holds up one finger.

 

HENRY

In Greek.

 

Indy's reaction:

 

INDY

(louder, in Greek)

One... two... three... four...

 

An ancient car is heard arriving. Perhaps Indy glimpses it going past the window. Anyway, it stops outside the house. Two men sit in the front seat. Herman sits in the rear, BLOWING A TRUMPET.

 

Indy's reaction: Trouble!

 

Henry is just finishing the sketch.

 

HENRY

May he who illuminated this... illuminate me...

 

 

INT. THE FRONT ROOM – DAY

 

The study door is just closing, Indy closing it behind him... just as Herman comes through the front door, still playing the trumpet.

 

Indy reaches for the trumpet, pulling it from Herman's mouth. Herman continues to spit – right into Indy's face. Indy flinches.

 

HERMAN

I brought the Sheriff.

 

Herman means the SHERIFF, who now enters the house.

 

INDY

Just the man I want to see! Now, there were five or six of them.

 

SHERIFF

(interrupting)

All right, son.

 

INDY

(overlapping)

... they came after... me...

 

SHERIFF

You still got it?

 

INDY

Well, yes, sir. It's right here!

 

Indy shows the Cross, more or less handing it to the Sheriff to make his point. The Sheriff takes it casually.

 

SHERIFF

I'm glad to see that... because the rightful owner of this Cross won't press charges, if you give it back.