Tools of Characterization

Characterization in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Actions

All the characters in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade are characterized by what they do—and, in some cases, by what they don't do. Let's start with the "don't do," and work our way backward.

Donovan's villainy is conveyed, in part, by his desire to have others do his dirty work for him. That's why he teams up with the Nazis. That's why he's working with Elsa. That's why he recruits Henry and, later, Indiana.

Donovan wants the Holy Grail, but he'd prefer not to wrinkle his suit in the process. The most concrete example of his cowardly inaction comes when he shoots Henry in the stomach. Donovan's too chicken to make his way into the Grail room himself. In fact, when we first arrive at the temple, he's already sent some other poor schlub to his doom trying to procure the Grail. When Donovan puts a bullet in Henry's gut, that forces Indiana to get the Grail to save his dad's life—and open a path to the Grail for Donovan in the process.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have Indiana. He's a man of action, a hero, and the movie establishes this from the get-go when we see a teenaged Indiana swipe the Cross of Coronado from the gang of robbers who then chase him through a moving circus train. Whether he's exploring the rat-filled catacombs beneath the city, stealing a speedboat, impersonating a waiter, or riding a tank off a cliff, Indiana's characterized by what he does—and the bravery and improvised gusto with which he does it.

Henry's growth as a character is demonstrated by his actions. Elsa's is, too. Unfortunately, hers is pretty much in the wrong direction, as she grows greedier and greedier, perfectly illustrated by her insistence on trying to take the Holy Grail out of the temple despite all warnings, as well as her inability to let it go. She's grown so obsessed with the Grail by the end of the film that she lets go of Indiana's hand instead and plummets to her death.

Back to Henry. His evolution as a character has a much happier ending. He starts the film as a bookworm, more comfortable wielding a pen than a gun. Indiana essentially has to babysit him once he rescues him. As the story progresses, though, Henry steps out of his comfort zone and turns his cautious intelligence into clever action. He's still more comfortable with a pen, but by the third act, he's using that to blind a Nazi thug instead of just to make notes in his diary.

Clothing

The fedora. The leather jacket. The whip. Okay, so that last one's technically more of an accessory than a piece of clothing, but you get it. Indiana's wardrobe is iconic. It's the template for what rugged globetrotters wear, and it's probably why your Uncle Ken owns a brown leather jacket. Indiana's wardrobe suggests his readiness for adventure and willingness to get down and dirty.

In contrast, Henry's wardrobe practically screams, "I live in the library," as he's prudently clad in a three-piece suit, complete with bowtie and tweed trilby hat. His accessories also reflect his character, from his glasses to his umbrella, the latter of which doesn't just illustrate that he's well-prepared, but also shows how super-duper clever he can be when he uses it to disperse a flock of birds and take down a Nazi plane.

Last Crusade's bad guys are also characterized by their clothing. The Nazis' uniforms tell you all you need to know about them. Donovan's garb speaks villainous volumes, too, as he's always outfitted in tailored suits. These expensive duds reflect what's most important to him: himself and his piles of cash. It's fitting that when Indiana first meets him, Donovan's decked out in a tuxedo, complete with a red rose on his lapel. Ooh, fancy.

Family Life

Indiana and Henry are both characterized by their relationship with each other. In a word, it's strained. In ten words, it's strained about as far as your belt after Thanksgiving dinner.

Henry was a hands-off dad who seemed more interested in studying the Holy Grail than making his kid grilled-cheese sandwiches or having a catch. His preoccupation with his Grail diary paints him as not only an absentee father, but also as a bit of an absentminded professor in general.

As a result, Indiana is resourceful…and resentful. It seems his entire life has been spent trying to make his dad proud, or at least make his dad respect him. That's why he's a professor, too. But that's also why, unlike his dad, he's a craggy, courageous adventurer. It kind of makes you wonder if Indiana would be out there risking his neck to recover stolen artifacts had Henry been around to cut the crusts off Junior's sandwiches.