“Everybody fell on the floor in hysterics”: Steven Spielberg Couldn’t Cut the Best Unscripted Moment From Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg | image: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons

Released 35 years back in 1989, Steven Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusadebecame a cult classic movie in the long-standing franchise. Exploring emotional themes of the complex father-son relationships, epic action sequences, and the iconic good vs. evil narrative where the protagonist fights against the Nazis, the movie became a fan-favorite watch worldwide.

While Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade have several important aspects attributing to the success of the film, one iconic moment from the movie that became a beloved piece of cinematic history was apparently improvised. The scene took place between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, where the latter ad-libbed a line, which was so hilarious that Steven Spielberg chose to keep it in the final cut.

Sean Connery’s Quick-Witted Improvisation in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

With Harrison Ford starring in the titular role in Steven Spielberg‘s iconic film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), River Phoenix and Sean Connery appeared as young Indiana Jones and his father, respectively, turning the movie into a masterpiece.

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Despite being released 35 years ago, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade still remains a relatable piece to watch for global audiences. Meanwhile, one lesser-known fact about Steven Spielberg’s cult classic shared by All The Right Movies noted one improvised moment that ended up becoming an iconic piece of cinematic history.

According to the post, in a scene where Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) asked his father, Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery), how he knew Elsa (Alison Doody) was a German spy, Connery dropped a hilarious response, which was apparently unscripted.

She talks in her sleep.

Using his quick wit, Sean Connery turned the important conversational exchange into a beloved trivia from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Steven Spielberg Left the Unscripted Moment in the Final Cut of the Film

Sean Connery’s hilarious ad-lib left the entire crew in stitches. According to the post, Julian Glover (Donovan) reported how the actor’s deadpan delivery and perfect timing sent the cast and crew into hysterics, with many reportedly falling to the floor in laughter.

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Eventually, noting the crew’s response to Sean Connery’s hilarious take, Steven Spielberg decided to keep the unscripted moment in the final cut of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Impressed by the improvisation, Spielberg chose to keep the moment in the final cut, making it a standout scene in the film.

The particular moment not only showcased Sean Connery’s exceptional talent in turning improvisations into iconic scenes but also highlighted Steven Spielberg’s vision of identifying them.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is available on Disney+.