Film Fundamentals
| Director: Steven Spielberg
| | Writer(s): George Lucas, Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz
| Stars: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth, Philip Stone, Roy Chiao
| Release date: May 23 1984
| Runtime: 118 minutes
| | Why this movie rules: It was the darkest entry in the series. |
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| | PONDERING PLOT LINES.... | Inspiration: Matinee serials and pulp magazines of the 30's through the 50's.
Related books/movies: Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (TV series), all Indiana Jones comics, novels and books
Plot hole(s):
Continuity: The river below the rope bridge appears to be a small stream, but when people start falling down it turns into a much larger river.
Historical/Geographical inaccuracies:
- The alligators in the bridge scene are only found naturally in the US southeast.
- Supposedly set in India, Sri Lankan can be heard spoken by the natives.
- In the flight from Shanghai, they fly over the Great Wall, but the flight path doesn't go anywhere near the Great Wall.
Archaeological inaccuracies: All over the place!
Spin-off products: Comics, books, video games.
Spin-off experiences/attractions: Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney/MGM Studios.
Spoofs and homages: |
| | FOR MOVIE NERDS ONLY | Estimated budget: $28 million
Box Office: $179,870,271
Award(s): Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, Saturn Award for Best DVD collection, BAFTA award for Best Visual Effects, Young Artists Award Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama
Making-of trivia and little-known factoids - The club at the beginning of the movie called "Obi Wan," which is an obvious nod to Star Wars.
- Sharon Stone had auditioned for the role of Willie. However, when Spielberg saw Kate Capshaw, he handed her audition tape to George Lucas and said that though several girls had auditioned for the part, there was only one girl he wanted Lucas to see.
- The tradition of naming characters after dogs continues in The Temple of Doom. Just as Indiana Jones was named after Lucas' dog, Willie was named after director Steven Spielberg's dog, and Short Round was named after screenwriter Willard Huyck's dog.
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- Dan Akroyd makes a cameo when Indy Willie and Shorty make their departure from Shanghai on the plane. Akroyd is the flight agent who arranged for the plane.
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Filming locations
- Sri Lanka was the location for shooting Temple of Doom, despite its setting in India.
- American River, Placerville, California, USA
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Cinematography
Special effects
- The people falling off the bridge at the end are actually pneumatic dummies which flail their arms and legs when falling.
- The infamous mine car chase shots were done on a small model set and video cameras to high speed still cameras were used to make the final product.
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