After almost 20 years, he’s back!
I rented the third installment of the Indiana Jones story, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” last week and watched it three times. My goodness, I’ve forgotten how much I love this series. I can’t wait to find a sitter and go with my wife to see the “KOTCS.” I hope it won’t disappoint – I really couldn’t stand the “Temple of Doom.” So far, the reviews are saying it’s pretty good, although some nay-sayers are positing that it doesn’t hold together well and is not suspenseful. We shall see.
After this viewing of the originals (am I up into the 100’s yet?) I was struck by how in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade” there is so much Judeo-Christian imagery and reverent references to the Bible and other Christan stories present. Sure there were myths and hyperbole, (much like in Anime) related to these themes but they were in no way antagonistic to the underlying beliefs and truths we find.
It is hard to believe that only 20 years ago, the Judeo-Christian story was not so far removed from our hearts and minds, even if people were not adherents to either religion. It was a weltanschauung, even if not a belief system. It was Western culture, much like Confucian morality and Buddhist thought are the underpinnings of the east.
I wonder what we’ll see in this latest installment; it will be an interesting cultural comparison.
Meanwhile, I cannot get John Williams’ themes out of my mind! I wonder what themes he will put into the new movie. I am always struck by the haunting minor second to open fifth theme of the Ark of the Covenant, and the reference to the plainchant Te Deum Laudamus for the Grail.
Pilgrim
We’re totally looking forward to this movie too! Wish we could double-date!
I remember the first time seeing “Raiders…”. I was saturated by Bible stories, though I was mostly unexposed to cinema, and I remember all kinds of swelling emotions as the Ark appeared, and as the wicked Nazis foolishly tempted YHWH’s Ark.
And I’m so, so grateful that we have a new mercy seat, and one who sits there with holes in his hands and side and feet.
Pilgrim
Yikes. Unfinished thought:
“…as the wicked Nazis foolishly tempted YHWH by opening his Ark.”