Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Set in 1938, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade opens when a wealthy collector hires archaeologist Indiana Jones to help track down the Holy Grail. Indy discovers the search is personal: the scholar who vanished while hunting the relic is his estranged father, Henry Jones Sr. Using a cryptic notebook Henry managed to mail before disappearing, Indy follows clues across Europe. He reconnects with old allies and meets Dr. Elsa Schneider, whose expertise is useful but whose motives aren't always clear. As Nazi agents close in, Indy and his companions race to reach the Grail before it falls into the wrong hands, balancing daring action with puzzles, and personal loyalties are tested along the way, and old rivalries resurface unexpectedly.

Released in 1989, the film was directed by Steven Spielberg. The screenplay was by Jeffrey Boam, building on concepts from George Lucas and story input from Philip Kaufman. Harrison Ford, Sean Connery and Denholm Elliott headline a returning ensemble cast.

It was a major commercial success worldwide, becoming one of 1989's top grossers and keeping the franchise firmly in the public eye. Its box office performance helped guarantee sequels and sustained merchandising around the character, and boosted Lucasfilm's profile globally.

The movie's mix of comedy, cliffhangers and set pieces produced several recognizable moments, from the desert temple tests to the witty exchanges between Indy and his father. Sean Connery's casting as Henry Jones Sr gave the film an emotional center, and it influenced later adventure films, and inspired many homages.

Critics mostly liked it, noting the chemistry between Ford and Connery and the film's mix of humor and action. Audience score sits around 7.8/10. Themes include faith versus reason, legacy and reconciliation, with the Grail quest framing a personal father-son story as well as an adventure, and still widely loved.