INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM

US, 1984, 118 minutes, Colour.
Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw.
Directed by Steven Spielberg.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a prequel to the very successful Raiders of the Lost Ark. Raiders made such an impact that audiences wanted more. Steven Spielberg happily obliges - in the same exaggerated, serio-comic style. There are non-stop adventurous episodes - in the vein of the Saturday matinee serials that Spielberg liked so much.

Spielberg directs with vigour (and focuses on children - one of his favourite themes). The film was produced and the story originated by producer George Lucas (of Star Wars fame). once again Harrison Ford is exactly right as the genial hero, Indiana Jones. He is a hero who relies on his wits, strength - and his whip. Kate Capshaw is a vigorous heroine and is an engaging (if American cute) youngster completing the trio.

Location photography was in Sri Lanka.

There was some comment at the time of its release about the violence and its suitability for younger audiences. There are slave children; there is an evil high priest who opens the chest of his victim and takes out the living heart, holding it up. There are vigorous fights and dangers. It is all in the context of high-flying and literal cliff-hanging action - and while it is frightening, it would not be taken in such a realistic sense. However, the film is obviously not for impressionable children.

Indiana Jones was one of the best-liked heroes of '80s cinema.

1. A welcome sequel? Entertainment value, complex plot and adventure, the use of serial climaxes and pace? A hero, a heroine, an engaging child-hero? Lavish colourful cinema style, special effects, fantasy?

2. Audience expectations: adventure and perils? Excess and exaggeration - but human solutions? A genial hero? The embodiment of evil - and its being combated and vanquished? Pop art?

3. Panavision colour photography, Asian atmosphere? Exotic sets - Shanghai, India, the Indian village, the city and the Temple of Doom? The interior of the temple and the slave mine? The cliffs and bridge sequences? Stunts, special effects and editing? Pace? The musical score and the Indiana Jones theme?

4. The blend of seriousness and humour? Echoes of the '30s films and their straightforward adventure, laconic dialogue, screwball comedy, battle of the sexes? Transported to the '80s? Tongue-in-cheek attitudes - and send-up?

5. The criticisms about the violence and the horror? Alarm about the effects on children? The theory that it is important for children to be able to face the realities of the world, evil and cruelty? Nightmares? The criticism that the villains were exaggerated villains of Asia in the '30s? Accusations of racism? The focus on India and the sympathetic Indians to counterbalance this?

6. The humorous opening and the Hollywood '30s glamour style and choreography of 'Anything Goes' - in Chinese? The confrontation between Indiana Jones and the villain as hero, the poison, the deals, the enormous brawl, the kicking of the antidote and the diamond around the floor, Willie and Indiana escaping, the fall, crashing through the awnings into the car? The escape to the airport? The betrayal?

7. The plane, the crash, the escape, the skiing, the waterfall, the river and the rapids etc.? Setting the mood for the film?

8. Establishing Indiana Jones as a character: his work, background, adventures, professional? Willie as the chorus girl, the love for diamonds etc.? Short Round and his story. his helping Indiana Jones? The bonding between the three. the buddy system? Helping one another? The battle of the sexes - and Willie screaming about the animals in the jungle while the other two played cards? The five minutes for each to come to the other's room and the spoof of sex comedies? The finale with the whip and the two kissing?

9. The situation in India, travelling through the jungle. the village, their depressed state. the children captured. the stone missing? The evil curse? The old man and his plea? Considering Indiana and the others sent by Shiva? The emaciated boy escaping from the prison? Indiana and his mission, the travels. the jokes about the elephants. Willie in the water after putting scent on the elephant. the jungle and the animals?

10. The background of eastern religions, the genuine religion, the harsh sects? The brooding evil? Indiana and his mission - religion. evil, fortune and glory? The seriousness of supernatural power in the East? The pragmatism of western characters? Sacred stones? Power - or stones to be admired in museums?

11. The Maharajah, his city? Willie's hopes? The dapper English-trained prime minister - and his repartee, political manoeuvres with Indiana Jones? The British military presence and the recapitulation of Indian history? The historical detail about the evil worship and sacrifice counterpointed with the ingredients of the banquet. the animals and the reptiles and Willie's reaction? Her gratitude for an apple afterwards?

12. The sex spoof and the violence with Indiana being strangled? The cave and the spikes, Willie's delay, the insects, her saving them at the last moment - and accidentally repeating the process?

13. The elaborate Temple of Doom, special effects. decor? The rituals? The hypnotic trance of the worshippers, the fanaticism? The leaders? The victim and the removal of his heart and its being inflamed? His being lowered into the burning pit? The Boy King and his participation? The repetitions of the rituals for Indiana and for Willie?

14. Indiana taking the stone. being caught? Willie and the imprisonment, her being lowered into the fire? Indiana and the drinking of the blood, his spitting it out. his succumbing to the hypnotism? Short Round and his being put amongst the children slaves? The build-up of the crises - and split-second timing?

15. The fights, Short burning Indiana and bringing him to his senses? Short and his ability to fight? The lavish choreography and bravura of the battles? The Boy King stabbing the doll of Indiana? The elaborate roller-coaster chase? The torrential water and the hanging on the cliffs? The bridge, the confrontation, the crocodiles in the river, the cutting of the bridge, the hanging on the ladder, the arrows - and the British to the rescue! Enjoyable adventures?

16. The theme of the children, their being pictured as slaves, their freedom? The implications of this symbol of contemporary adults and their military power and children and slaves?

17. The end of the mission and the gratitude of the Indian village? Reconciliation?

18. Adventure, romance and fantasy, '80s cinema style?