Harrison Ford elaborates on stories of him filming a pantsless scene with Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. After 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom proved somewhat divisive among critics and audiences, 1989's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade saw Ford and director Steven Spielberg brings a sense of levity back to the character. Connery is introduced in the film as Indy's father, accompanying him on an adventure to beat Nazis to the Holy Grail.
Connery once revealed in an interview that he and Ford removed their pants to film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade's blimp scene. Now, in an interview with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford elaborates on exactly what happened. You can watch the interview below (the relevant section begins at 4:53):
After commenting on how well he and Connery got along on set, Ford confirms that, yes, extreme heat and a proclivity for sweating resulted in the two stars filming pantsless while shooting the blimp scene. Check out Ford's full comment below:
“Pure fun with working with him. We enjoyed a great relationship. He was a heavy sweater and he wore heavy wool pants, and he did appear without his pants because of the heat. And I felt it both necessary and appropriate to remove my pants. So we had two pantsless men photographed from the waist up.”
Is The Last Crusade The Best Indiana Jones Movie?
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was infamously a very dark movie, earning criticism for delving too far into disturbing horror territory and for its insensitive portrayal of Indian culture. This criticism subsequently led Spielberg to course-correct and make what is arguably the most light and fun Indiana Jones adventure of them all. The change in tone was evidently a welcome one, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was a hit with both audiences and critics.
While the quest, villains, and action undoubtedly play large roles in the film's success, it's Connery's Henry Jones Sr. that helps to really elevate it. Connery enjoys great on-screen chemistry with Ford and their father-son dynamic is funny while also adding depth to the franchise's hero. The result is a film that is far and away the most emotionally resonant entry in the original trilogy.
It's these elements that make the third film a frequent top pick as the best movie in the franchise. Of course, Raiders of the Lost Ark is also an undeniable classic that, in hindsight, strikes a perfect balance between the seriousness of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the levity of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Ultimately, it will always come down to personal preference in of which Indy adventure is best, but Connery's presence alone makes Ford's third outing as the iconic hero truly memorable.
Source: GQ
